Cold Start

SeaRay Eddy

New Member
Jun 6, 2018
17
Gatineau Quebec
Boat Info
2002 SeaRay 182
Engines
190-hp MerCruiser 4.3L
Hi, I’m new to boating and have a 2002 SeaRay 182 Bowrider with a 4.3L mercruiser 190hp. I just bought it in May and it has a hard time cold starting. Any suggestions? Thanks!
 
Battery condition? Fuel condition?

It's a carb'd motor. Have you tried pumping the throttle a couple times and then leaving it slightly advanced? Then leave the throttle a bit advanced - say 1500RPM's - for about a minute to warm up. After that, maybe it just needs a carb clean/job.
 
Yup - it's like cars from the past. Gotta pump it to start it. Each engine has it's own way that it likes to start so it's a bit of a trial and error, but the theory remains the same. You can vary the number of pumps... some like the throttle fully advanced to start... for some all you have to do is advance the throttle a bit with no pumps.

The best source, though, is the previous owner. They'll know how it likes to be started.
 
Thanks, I bought the boat through a brokerage at a dealer, I’ll see if I can get ahold of him. When you pump the throttle, does the key have to be on the “on” position? Or do I just pump, then advance the throttle and then turn the key to start? Thanks again
 
It won't matter if the key is on or off. All you're really doing by pumping the throttle is actuating the accelerator pump in the carb, which is adding more fuel to the manifold to get the engine started. Having said that, I'd do it with the key on so when you're done pumping you can go ahead and crank the engine.
 
If its a carbed engine with a electric fuel pump and its been sitting for a few days the fuel in the float bowel probably evaporated and you might have to crank the engine over for 10 or 15 seconds or sometimes longer to get oil pressure so the fuel pump can work and fill the bowel as there is a oil pressure switch wired into the fuel pump to prevent it from working unless there is oil pressure. Now you'll be able to pump the throttle to get fuel to motor to start.
 
You have an '02 that's carbbed? I would have thought everything was fuel injected by then....
 
I posted this recently in another thread. I have the same engine in my 185BR and this is the method I use for a cold start. Mine cranks up and runs just fine weather it was run yesterday or a month ago.

1. Put the engine in neutral (big button in center of throttle lever - push in, let's you give the engine throttle without putting in in gear.
2. Crank engine for 10 seconds. This will build some oil pressure and run the fuel pump, when you release the key you should hear the fuel pump run for a few seconds. It's filling the carburetor bowl with fuel.
3. Pump the throttle 3 times, then leave it about 1/3 open. This puts some fuel in the intake and sets the choke.
4. Crank engine. If you are getting spark and fuel, it should crank up at this point.
 
Normally on a carb engine you gotta set that choke. Push the button like BillK says, go to full throttle and then return to idle, that will set the choke. Then Crank a couple times then push the button again and pump, then 1/3. I'd bet a beer she'll fire right up.
Ahhhh the good old carburetor days.
BillK has got it dead on, just added the very first full throttle set.
 
Like Lazy Daze said every motor likes its own method. Through trial and error you will find what works best for your mill. I pump my throttle 3-4 times and then try turning it over. If it doesn't start I repeat. If it still doesn't start I repeat and then advance the throttle. It always starts then.
 
set the choke
crank it a couple of times to get things moving.
if it doesn't start, push the button and give it a couple of pumps, don't go crazy here or you'll flood it.
bring the throttle back to about 1/3. Make sure you are in THROTTLE ONLY mode. the throttle should have a safety so it won't start in gear, but you never know.
Crank it again. Should fire right up. if not, maybe 1 or 2 more pumps, maybe a little more throttle, maybe less. Listen to the engine it will tell you what it wants.
Once it starts let it fast idle for a minute or so.
You are going to become very aware of your boat during this. What it likes what it doesn't. It's part of being a boat guy.

Oh, and fast idle isn't wide open. just a little above idle. The choke should take care of most of that for you.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,948
Messages
1,422,825
Members
60,930
Latest member
Ebrown69
Back
Top