202 Shabah Carburetor Engine Hard to Start
 

Been boating this year with the rebuilt engine. The boat is running fine, but I am finding starting the thing can be stressful when it is cold or sitting a few hours.

I pump the gas several times try to start, no luck, pump more no luck, pump more (worry about flooding it) and maybe let it start with the throttle slightly beyond the neutral slot. A time or two more and it starts and I need to let the engine throttle at higher RPMs for a minute before I can throttle it back without a stall. So far, in 10 outings on the water it has eventually started every time.

The marina that rebuilt the engine said this is life with an engine with a carburetor. The battery, starter, ignition switch are all new.

Is this really life with a carburetor? My last boat was a 1996 and had but had a fuel injection engine and started right away. I do remember iffy starting with my first beater cars in the 70s so maybe so.

I am starting to think instead of spending ~$5000 on a rebuilding the engine I should have had them drop in a new modern engine in for $8000.

Any tips on starting these old timey engines from a person with the same experience?

Re: 202 Shabah Carburetor Engine Hard to Start
 

Fuel injection is definitely superior, particularly with respect to cold starting. Some of us with more grey hair than not can attest. What you need to remember on a carb engine that has been sitting in the hot sun for a few days is the fuel evaporates out of the carb. If a mech fuel pump you need to crank the engine for more than a few seconds to fill the fuel bowl. If electric fuel pump you need to let it run to fill the fuel bowl. You also have to whack the throttle to full throttle to let the choke linkage close and put the throttle on the high throttle cam. You cannot treat a carburated engine like a fuel injected engine.

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Re: 202 Shabah Carburetor Engine Hard to Start
 

"put the throttle on the high throttle cam"

What does this mean. Was out today. Had to start it twice both a challenge. As we sit out on the water I need to do some practice starts I guess to see the best technique for a fast start.

Re: 202 Shabah Carburetor Engine Hard to Start
 

High throttle or high idle cam means there is a cam on the side of the carb. If you watch the carb while someone actuated the throttle...while the engine is cold, you should see the choke close and the idle adjust screw will rest on a cam that cracks the throttle for higher RPM until the engine heats and the choke fully opens. If you actuate the throttle again. After the choke opens, the cam should move with the choke and the idle adjust screw will be on a lower part of the cam which will lower the RPM to normal idle. See the hyperlink for a more complete explanation. https://www.hemmings.com/stories/art...oke-adjustment


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Re: 202 Shabah Carburetor Engine Hard to Start
 

Has the timing been checked?
Proper plugs and are they gapped properly?
Has the carb been cleaned recently?
Whats the compression?
Verify choke is closing when cold and open when warm.
Is the wire attached to the choke spring housing?

These are all things to check if hard starting. No reason it should be hard to start a carberated engine if its tuned properly.

Re: 202 Shabah Carburetor Engine Hard to Start
 

Engine was rebuilt. We took it back because of rough engine, hard starting, and the engine warning bell constantly going off. They were going to rebuild the carb but then said it didn't need it. They replaced the engine ignition switch.

When we bring it in for winterization, we will have them check the above again.

Re: 202 Shabah Carburetor Engine Hard to Start
 

Pretty hard to say a carb doesn't need a rebuild without taking it apart, something smells fishy in the situation. No reson the engine should be hard to start if all the above are in spec.

Re: 202 Shabah Carburetor Engine Hard to Start
 

I agree. I believe in late June we took it back to the marina, and paid upfront for a rebuild. After a few weeks we asked what's going one (losing summer time). Finally the next week they said it was ready. They said good news, it didn't need a carb rebuild. Saved money but have the stress of a hard to start motor.