Extra Cranking Needed to Start
 

I have a 1990 Mariah 2000 XL with the 5.0 L Mercruiser engine. The problem is sometimes I have to crank for an extended period of time before it starts. This happens on cold starting or even if it's been sitting for only a few minutes. And actually when it does start it seems like it barely catches. I'm worried one of these times it isn't going to start. I don't think it is flooded as I do not smell extra gas. When doing some minor investigating, I noticed the electric choke may not be working properly. Shouldn't it be closing once the key is turned on? I was able to manually move it, but it did seem a little tight. Finally, isn't some type of spring suppose to open it back up once it's released.
I'm also wondering if the accelarator pump might be the problem. When manually toggling the throttle linkage, I did not see any gas pumping into the carburetor.
A couple more notes, I'm going to change the cannister fuel filter and clean the flame arrestor.

Any thoughts or help would be appreciated.

Re: Extra Cranking Needed to Start
 

How many hours on the fuel pump? They do go out on those sbc once and awhile but usually good for quite a few hours, but if you are manually pumping and it is not squirting that would be my first guess. That being said the electric choke should activate when cool, once the engine is warmed up it should not engage at all if it is functioning correctly that is.

Re: Extra Cranking Needed to Start
 

Fuel pump seems to be working, so I replaced the cannister fuel filter and cleaned the carburetor. With the ear muffs on, it appears to be starting significantly easier. The true test will be this weekend when I get it on the lake.

Thanks for the help

Re: Extra Cranking Needed to Start
 

Ok good luck this weekend I won't be done going through my new girl yet apparently I am a maintenance nut lol. Let me know how it runs this weekend

Re: Extra Cranking Needed to Start
 

Bad News! The first start each time after unloading off the trailer, it starts perfectly. Five minutes on the water before any serious boating and I have the exact same problem. The only way to get it started is to put it on full throttle and crank the engine for 5 - 10 seconds. It will finally catch enough to start. Once it starts, it runs great.

I got it home this afternoon and put the earmuffs back on it. I started it the first time and let it get up to normal operating temperature. Shut it down and waited a couple minutes before starting again. It started right up!! I did this a couple times and it started perfectly everytime. This makes no sense!!!!

I'm hoping somebody will have a suggestion.
Thanks for your help.....