Engine will not idle

[sailr]

I have a 1994 SR220 Overnighter. It's been laid up for a couple of years. First thing I did was replace the water separator. I have always keep some 'dry gas' in the tank when stored and added another bottle just to be on the safe side. Also added about 5 gallons of fresh gasoline to the tank.

At first I could only get the engine to start by priming it. So I tapped on the carb to get the float loose. I can now start the boat by pumping the throttle a couple of times but it will NOT idle. It dies below 1700 RPM.

Unfortunately this is a Rochester 4bbl carb, not fuel injected. If it was fuel injected I could replace the IAC and probably be good to go.

Any ideas?

 

[fc3]

Sounds dirty and plugged up. Rochester carburetors are an easy and cheap rebuild. Get the kit and have at it. Disassemble and soak everything until clean. When the instructions say to measure something to 5/32" - 7/32" a quarter inch isn't good enough. Measure everything to spec and it'll run right.

If you want to cheat, try this. If the boat has an electric fuel pump, disconnect it and run the engine until it stalls. You want the carburetor bowl empty if possible.

Turn off all electric power to the boat. Turn the idle mixture screws in while counting turns until they bottom lightly. Unscrew one of the the mixture screws. Gasoline will probably dribble out. Be prepared with plenty of toweling to absorb it and place the used toweling into a pail, don't drop it into the bilge. Spray some carburetor cleaner into the mixture screw hole to clean the idle fuel passage. Reinstall the mixture screw until it bottoms, then unscrew it the same number of turns as you counted before. Remove, clean, and reinstall the other mixture screw as with the first one.

Clean up any mess. Remove all gas soaked paper towels from the boat. Ventilate without using the blowers until no gasoline vapors are present. Then reconnect electrical power.

I really don't like the cheating method for boats with mechanical fuel pumps since it's hard to empty the bowl and keep gas from running out onto the top of the manifold. Gas vapor in the engine room is dangerous. Good ventilation is important.

Best regards,
Frank

 

[sailr]

Great tips! Unfortunately I do have the mechanical fuel pump but I'll still try your 'cheat' method, being extra careful!

Thanks!!