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Hard start when hot distyplugs where do I get them

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pktaske

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"I thought I was past this pro

"I thought I was past this problem once but I guess not. My boat (1986 120 2.5L) runs like a champ early on but later in the day (or sooner if we leave her idling/run under low rpms for 20-30 minutes), gradually becomes a bear to even start. Crank and crank while playing with the throttle. Once started, it takes even more effort to get her in gear without stalling out again. I have to rev her up high in neutral and then quickly jump the lever down to engage the drive and then hit her hard again. If I don't do this, stall city. Last trip I almost wore out a new battery. Once I get her going, I can tell something is not quite right as I can't even get close to 3500 rpm and no guts. Over the next 3-5 minutes, she gradually gets better - 4500 rpm with lots of push.

I checked and I don't think carb is flooding (I dont see anything pooling anywhere). I'm going to eliminate any bad fuel issues by running a small portable tank on my next trip. Carb rebuild next I guess (?).

I'm want to tune it up as a just in case. Disty cap/rotor/plugs/wires. Can I get these at an auto store or do they need to be marine grade? Thanks..."
 
"I pulled the carb off today a

"I pulled the carb off today and inside (from what I was able to see), its as clean as a whistle. Float chamber, springs, etc. Hopefully I'm not seeing what the problem is as I'm really banking on it being the carb. Rebuild kit on order. Now I just need a course on carb rebuilding . lol."
 
"Some thoughts. Any oil consu

"Some thoughts. Any oil consumption problems? Oil consumption will foul the plugs. Assuming not. Assuming you have the correct spark plugs in it, sounds like your plugs are loading up in a fuel fouled condition which would tend to clear out upon high RPM conditions.

Try adjusting your idle mixture WITH FRESH PLUGS from any auto parts store [AC delco (ideally), but Champion, Autolight, NGK, Bosch - they should all have a crossover]. See a manual for the proceedure but in essence, with engine idling, turn idle mixture screw clockwise until idle begins to stuble a little and back off a half turn. If that screw is backed out too much you'll get your problem. There will be no pooling of fuel et al, btw.

Rebuilding your carb may be in order but my suggestion would be to understand the problem and solve for it vs the "throw parts at it" approach.

Kudos for doing it yourself. Cheers."
 
"Get a manual. Carb 2BBL rebu

"Get a manual. Carb 2BBL rebuild is kids play. Follow the manual's specs. on carb settings. Kit specs. are known to be incorrect. Use a digital camera for each step of the work and take notes. If it is an old carb, don't submerge the bowl, just fill it with carb soak cleaner and let it work on the gum and varnish. Rinse per instructions and blow all the carb passages dry. If you submerge an old carb, the casting plugs may leak fuel.

Does the choke work? If it is a "stove pipe" and not electric choke, clean the pipe and the exhaust passage ways to ensure good heat.

When the carb is assembled, lube all of the throttle bushings and linkages with light oil.

Set the mixture screws per specs and go from there.

What temp. does the engine run at? Is that the temp spec. for the engine? No? Change the T'stat. Does temp increase at idle? Yes? Change the impeller."
 
"All good suggestions and I wi

"All good suggestions and I will follow up with all this advise. I pulled the carb off already and for $30, will do the rebuild. It looked mighty clean though. I'll get plugs and try to adjust the mix."
 
Nick:

Some carbs require th

Nick:

Some carbs require the float level be set with the gasket in place. I missed that on my last carb. You'll like the digital camera esp. if you have a wide screen TV to display them on while reassembling it.
 
"Today I pulled the plugs - th

"Today I pulled the plugs - they looked good.

One question I had though: When I look in the carb when I'm trying to start (electric choke is always open after she gets warm), what should I see in terms of gas? Should it be jetting in as it is cranking? I just want to make sure it's not a fuel delivery problem. thks"
 
you won't see jetting of g

you won't see jetting of gas unless you goose the throttle (assuming there is an accelerator pump on the carb)... you should see mist if anything. Look for damp surfaces downstream of the venturi with a flashlight.
 
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