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Hard Starting

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 8:35 am
by fpc310
I have the standard mechanical fuel pump supplying a 1409 carb. I’ve noticed that the starboard engine seems to take a bit of cranking before it will begin to turn over. I would say about 30 total seconds of cranking. Ignition system is brand new (electronic, high voltage). Once it lights up, it runs fine. It also will restart fine in the same day. However, wait a week and the symptom returns.

Port engine is the same exact setup and runs fine, starts fine. Could this possibly be a fuel delivery issue? I’ve replaced all of the filters in the line. The 1409 carb was bought used w/ unknown history. I was told that it was used for just a few hours. The physical condition seems to match that claim.

Re: Hard Starting

Posted: Tue Jun 11, 2019 9:08 am
by EWRice
The number one cause I see for this (if the carb is not a Quadrajet) is failing check valves in the fuel pumps. They will slowly syphon the fuel out of the carb and drain the pump dry.

Re: Hard Starting

Posted: Wed Jun 12, 2019 8:59 am
by bcassedy
If it turns out to be the fuel pump, you can purchase them at Go2Marine.com. I had to replace mine (starboard engine) last year. Cost was 94.32 .

Bill

Re: Hard Starting

Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 6:46 am
by Fastjeff
My old boat did that to me regularly. The carb was empty after sitting a week or so, as I proved by removing the top! (I'm anal.)

You can see if that's your problem as well by CAREFULLY adding some fuel into the carb before trying to start her up (after sitting a week). If it tries to go (and does), that's your problem.

Why some carbs/ installations do this while others do not baffles me! My 19 foot boat's Mercruiser does the same thing, so I added an outboard-style bulb before the fuel pump to pump gas into the carb first. Not sure it's USCG legal, but it sure works!

Jeff

Re: Hard Starting

Posted: Thu Jun 13, 2019 2:28 pm
by Busia
Look down the throat of the carb and pump the throttle. If there is gas in the float bowl the accelerator pump will squirt gas .

Re: Hard Starting

Posted: Fri Jun 14, 2019 5:45 am
by Fastjeff
That's a good idea as long as the accelerator pump is working properly. And that might be another reason for hard starting (if it's not).

Jeff

Re: Hard Starting

Posted: Sun Jun 23, 2019 8:00 am
by barkleydave
It is common with quads that after sitting a week... the fuel will drain off. Actually this is a good thing. Fuel sitting in the carbs for long periods can cause problems. Anyway you do not need to crank for 30 sec. (that is a long time and very hard on starters) . Crank for only a few seconds... stop...pump throttle and repeat. Do this usually 3-4 times and off they will go. You do not overheat your starter motor and draw your batteries down.

I start mine once a week even if I am not going out. If for no other reason keeps fresh fuel in the line etc.