Sport Nautique, Hard to Start When Cold

[AHudson777]

Hi folks,

I love my Nautique (a common obsession here!) but have just had my first mechanical mishap. It has been serviced regularly, has 403 hours (1993 model PCM) and has been a 'one twist' starter since I've had it. However...

The last two times at the lake, it doesn't want to start when cold. Many, many tries, I can hear it start to catch, but then it doesn't. I had to grind a bit more than I like today, but when it caught, all was well.

When it's warm, it starts up 'boom'; lights off immediately and on all the restarts when warm.

Does my injection have a 'cold start valve'? Or what do you guys suggest?

[mf01]

RE: Sport Nautique, Hard to Start When Cold

I've been suffering with the issue since I purchased my boat 2 years ago.

I replaced the starter relay and it made the starting better. I have to crank it about 10 seconds before it starts when cold. When its warm, it turns over easily.

If you have the the TBI, you might want to check your fuel pressure. It should be at 15PSI.

[DanielC]

RE: Sport Nautique, Hard to Start When Cold

Is your boat carburetted, or fuel injected?

[AHudson777]

Re: RE: Sport Nautique, Hard to Start When Cold

Is your boat carburetted, or fuel injected?

My boat has the ProBoss injection. I know this sounds so amateur of me, but it LOOKS like a carb, however the breather has a huge sticker bragging about the injection. Clearly, an early version. By the way, mine is a 94, not a 93. Thanks again.

[mf01]

RE: Re: RE: Sport Nautique, Hard to Start When Cold

It's the same as mine. It's Throttle Body Injection (TBI). There are 4 injectors inside what looks like a carb. It's paired with the protec ignition. Yes it's an early version of fuel injection.

[mf01]

RE: Re: RE: Sport Nautique, Hard to Start When Cold

AHudson777,

Did you ever figure anything out? Mine has been giving me more trouble as of late. I will turn the switch to start and nothing. I can hear the relay click (replaced it last year) and the starter doesn't move. The second flick of the key and it goes. I'm thinking it could be my ignition switch (key) or the starter.

[AHudson777]

My symptoms are different. Mine is hard to start at initial startup, then not a prob thereafter (when warm.)

I'm thinking cold start valve or fuel pump on mine. Sorry I couldn't be any more help, but your problem sounds different. Your ign switch theory sounds plausible, that you're 'wiping' the contacts on the first twist for good connection on the second.

[mndanielsncsu]

AHudson-

I could be wrong, but I believe you have a carb, not fuel injection, as mf01 suggested. I have a '93 Sport with the Pro Boss and it's got a Holley 4160 carb.

I've read on CCFan about cold starting because I have a similar problem and some on there suggested making adjustments to the choke. I haven't tired it on mine, but it might be worth reading into some more. You can search "hard start" or "cold start" on there and see what you can dig up.

[mf01]

Mine is only hard to start when it's been sitting for over a week. When its warm it fires up easily.

[mf01]

The TBI system came on the Pro Boss in 94. It looks like a Carb, but it's early electronic fuel injection.

[AHudson777]

The TBI system came on the Pro Boss in 94. It looks like a Carb, but it's early electronic fuel injection.

You're correct (of course) but I misstated my year in the original post:I've got a 1994 and it is indeed ProBoss. Am still looking to resolve this 'on again off again' problem.

[mndanielsncsu]

My bad... I missed where you later corrected it. I was basing my previous post off the fact that I thought it was a 93 instead of 94.