www.iFourWinns.com

Just finished winterizing our boat. What a blast! Hopefully someone can diagnosis my problem I've been dealing with all year. The problem occurs when initially starting the boat after it has been sitting for a while (cold). Boat starts up pretty quick, revs up and returns to idle. After idling for a second or two the engine just dies. Upon restart the engine will rev up a little (not as much as the first time) and return to idle where it will stay without stalling. Occationally the engine stalls when returning to idle from a higher rpm (~ 1200-2000 rpm). Replacing the spark plugs, cap, and rotor has helped somewhat with stalling when returning to idle from a higher rpm, but not for the initial startup issue. Any suggestions on what to consider?
Thanks for the help in advance.

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Thanks,
Ben

1998 258 Vista 7.4Gi Duoprop

If this is carbed engine, does the choke plate close pretty much completely when you open the throttle with a cold engine? Unlike cars with carbs, marine engines don't use a fast idle cam for cold starts so you have to pump it about 3 times fully open, then hold the throttle about 1/4 advanced from idle postion to start it and keep it running after a cold start. Then you can throttle back to the idle position after it warms up at about 1500 rpm. For the choke to work, it has to close with a cold engine, or come pretty close to closing, then the vaccum break has to pull it open a bit when the engine starts, and finally it has to open all the way when the engine warms up. Sometimes cleaning the choke shaft and carb linkages is all you need to do.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

The engine is a 1998 7.4L Volvo EFI. Not sure if there is some sensor that has is going bad, needs cleaning, or is shot. As I recall if I start the engine with the throttle set to around 1200 rpm the engine starts and stays up. It must be something that makes the engine rev up when it first starts.

_________________
Thanks,
Ben

1998 258 Vista 7.4Gi Duoprop