Using a spray can of ether into a 4-barrel carb?

[Maxedout]

I have to use ether to spray into my 4-barrel carb in order to get the engine to start. Am I supposed to lift up the butterfly and spray all 4 barrels or just spray the 2 open barrels?

 

[thumpar]

Re: Using a spray can of ether into a 4-barrel carb?

I think you have a deeper issue. You shouldn't have to use spray to start the engine.

 

[Maxedout]

Re: Using a spray can of ether into a 4-barrel carb?

What might that deeper issue be?

 

[CVX20SPRINT]

Re: Using a spray can of ether into a 4-barrel carb?

Don't use ether as it will destroy your rings in no time as it dries out the cylinder walls.If you have to squirt something in the carb just use fuel,but really it sounds like you have a fuel delivery issue that needs to be addressed.Have you tried just pumping the throttle a few times before you crank it over?

 

[thumpar]

Re: Using a spray can of ether into a 4-barrel carb?

Without knowing what you have and what you have done to diagnose I can't help. No properly setup boat would need ether to start.

 

[Don S]

Re: Using a spray can of ether into a 4-barrel carb?

I have to use ether to spray into my 4-barrel carb in order to get the engine to start. Am I supposed to lift up the butterfly and spray all 4 barrels or just spray the 2 open barrels?

What might that deeper issue be?

With no more information than you gave, it could be anywhere from simply not using the correct procedure to start to the engine needs a rebuild.
We don't know what engine it is, how old, what the model or serial number is, what you have fixed, how you go about starting it, nothing..................

 

[fossill]

Re: Using a spray can of ether into a 4-barrel carb?

Sounds like you need to take it to licensed marine tech.

 

[Aatcman]

Re: Using a spray can of ether into a 4-barrel carb?

To answer your question SPECIFICALLY, spray it only into the primaries (usually the two front ones)

To avoid damaging your boat -- Don't spray it....

I think you already hit the nail on the head in your question above: to quote you above "...or just spray the two open barrels..." You shouldn't have any open barrels. At least not on a cold engine...

So, either your choke is stuck open (most likely) or your secondaries are stuck open (should cause very crappy idle, not very likely)

You will find that you will get much better responses if you provide engine and drive info with your question.....

 

[Maxedout]

Re: Using a spray can of ether into a 4-barrel carb?

I apologize to all the responders as I did not provide enough information. Thank you all for your responses. The boat and motor is a 24' W/A Cuddy 1994 Bayliner Trophy. I have a regular mechanic that services it every spring and fall. This spring/summer is the first time experiencing this problem. I fill the gas tank every fall before winterizing, (done by my mechanic). The engine is a 5.7L Mercruiser with a 4 barrel carb, (not sure of the brand but I did have it replaced once by my mechanic). Once I get the engine to start, it runs fine the rest of the day. I don't trust turning the engine off while I'm out on the water. It idles fine and runs fine but it's pretty expensive to run without turning the engine off.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Using a spray can of ether into a 4-barrel carb?

Do you pump the throttle 2 or 3 times then put the handle a little above idle when you crank to start? That's how to start a carb 5.7.

 

[Maxedout]

Re: Using a spray can of ether into a 4-barrel carb?

That's exactly how I attempt to start it. I pump the throttle 3 times and move it forward about 1/2 way. Turn the key and crank.

 

[Don S]

Re: Using a spray can of ether into a 4-barrel carb?

Does the accelerator pump squirt fuel into the carb when you pump the throttle? If it doesn't then pumping the throttle is not doing anything. You would need to fix the carb.

 

[boat1010]

Re: Using a spray can of ether into a 4-barrel carb?

I agree with Don S. accelerator pump and or a leak so the gas is leaking out of the fuel bowl so there isn't any fuel in the bowl. So when it tries to pump fuel to start there isn't any to pump.

 

[Maxedout]

Re: Using a spray can of ether into a 4-barrel carb?

Once again, thank you all for your input. I have my mechanic coming today to diagnose the problem. I will be mentioning to him all your possible solutions. Thanks again!!!

 

[Morinj]

Re: Using a spray can of ether into a 4-barrel carb?

I had the same problem with my mercruiser 4.3 inboard losing prime, and then i installed a primer ball on the gas line and i prime it before starting and i never had any further issues and that was 4 years ago and my engine still runs well

 

[Morinj]

Re: Using a spray can of ether into a 4-barrel carb?

If you decide to install a primer ball on your gas line (Very Cheap Fix) Pump the ball until it gets hard and then as your cranking your engine pump your throttle same time and gauranteed your engine will fire up right away

 

[Don S]

Re: Using a spray can of ether into a 4-barrel carb?

DO NOT install an outboard primer bulb on an IO or inboard engine.
They are unsafe and not fire resistant. Using a primer bulb is a cheap, dangerous bandaid fix at best.

If you have to use a primer bulb, then you have a problem with your carb and need to fix it.

 

[42O]

Re: Using a spray can of ether into a 4-barrel carb?

Quad-jet was known to leak fuel out of bowls,remove base plate and and dead center of the bowl and bottom side you will see 2 plugs with lead,they leak right there.spread epoxy the on 2 plugs,let dry and put your baseplate back on and make sure there is no clearance issues.