www.iFourWinns.com

I have a 1987 190 Horizon with the 4 cylinder engine. This thing will start right up like you blow on the key when it is cold, but after cruising a while out on the water it does not want to start back. It acts as if it's flooding out because once I FINALLY get it lit back, white smoke comes out. I noticed when I stopped in the water and sat for a little while I could smell gas pretty heavily.

I just bought this boad and don't know too much about it. That's why I'm asking you guys. I've heard of "heat risers" being placed on older model carb'd vehicles with this similar problem. Something about the gas gets too hot when running and causes vapors inside the carb which causes it flood out. Does this sound familiar at all? I'm just trying to figure this out. It is aggravating and embarassing. Besides this issue the boat runs great and does well. Just don't ever want to shut it off.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Cory

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1987 190 Horizon 3.7L

That can happen, its called vapor lock. The fuel can actually boil in the carb bowl and the engine can't run on fuel that boils like that. I had it on a 1970 Ford Torino with a 302 (5 liter) V8. What you can do is use a thicker carb gasket (if available) and try to insulate the metal fuel lines to keep the engine heat from overheating them. Also make sure your engine compartment is well vented. And run the blower to keep air circulating through the compartment. Cold starts are good always?
PS: What engine is this? Merc or OMC?
You may need to rebuild the carb, or at least make sure the float is set properly.

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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 Merc. I'm figuring it is a 2 barrel carb. Am I thinking right about that? Any ideas where to get a thicker gasket?

Yes...cold starts excellent every single time.

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1987 190 Horizon 3.7L

Which engine?
The 3.7 or the 3.0?
I'd post your question on the Merc I/O repair forum on the Iboats forums. There are a lot of very knowledgable people there...

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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

It is the 3.0L.

I'm new to this forum as you can tell. I didn't realize there was a better place to post this.

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1987 190 Horizon 3.7L

The joys of mechanical fuel pumps & carburettors!
Try pump the throttle a couple of times prior to turning the key and have the throttle on 1/4 when it's cranking over.
This will squirt fuel from the accelerator pump in to the carb's throat and the 1/4 throttle will increase air speed/ atomisation.
As soon as it fires, pull it back to idle.

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2011 Four Winns H180 SS.
Aussie built Mustang 2800.
SOLD - 1997 Four Winns Horizon RS

I will try that.

Thank you!

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1987 190 Horizon 3.7L

agree with deaf, mine will do it ever so often (or first start of season) so I always push the throttle forward and as soon as it starts, I'll let it hold 1k-1500 rpms for a few seconds and then pull it back or play with the throttle til idle stays consistent...

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95 Four Winns 190 Horizon 5.0 Omc Cobra/VP
93 Malibu Echelon LX

2005 Dodge Ram 392 stroked hemi

Good advice. I will try cracking the throttle a little next time I get out there. I'll also make sure I leave my blower on. I would turn the blower on and turn it off once I got going. I figured there was enough air circulation when cruising. That's what I get for thinking. Ha!

This is my first I/O. Used to outboards.

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1987 190 Horizon 3.7L

I would go for a carb tune up before messing with gaskets. After the tune up and a test run would be the time to play with other gaskets....

As for giving it gas... Don't be shy. We hold our 88 350 wide open till she starts to fire, and it works every time. Not saying to hold it wide open, just making the point not to be shy.

Good luck.

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2004 - 288 Vista
Twin - 5.0 Volvo Penta GXi DP

Well...come to find out my engine is the 3.7L. It's the 224 cid.

I started smelling a sweet smell when the engine would crank back amongst the smoke. Then while waiting for someone to load their boat up my engine quit all of a sudden and was spewing coolant everywhere. I noticed coolant coming out from under the head and my heart sank.

I have pulled the head off and it looks alright along with the head gasket. I have the head at the machine shop right now having it checked out just because I've already got it off. I've heard from other boaters that their intake failed and caused this issue. So, now I'm contemplating on how to rig up something to check the pressures of the intake to see if there are any hairline cracks.

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1987 190 Horizon 3.7L