Had this rig for over 7 years now. At one point it got so hard to get it started I had to keep starting fluid. After getting started once is was good all day. That problem went away for about a year, now it's back. I don't see any fuel filters. What do I need to look for?

I'd always start troubleshooting that type problem with the condition of my fuel supply. From there, I check age and condition of my fuel to motor supply hose and primer bulb.

Either enrichment valve is in-op or the the hoses from carb bowl to valve or the valve to carbs hoses are collapsed .....OPTI

I asume your pushing the key down to choke the engine while starting? That's what I have to do to my 92 xr6 when it doesn't want to start...

I do

I dread going to the ramp after my boat has sat for a week. The XR6 is a real *itch to start. But when it starts, like you, it goes all day. The next day, good too... etc. I'm always having to choke.

I was told by Tommy Y to have the motor trim as far down as it will go. This does seem to help, however, depending on ramp incline and lake level, this isn't always an option. Having the battery fully charged and holding my mouth just right, seems to help. LOLs

UJC,

I have a 03 XR6 and finally have a start up protocol that seems to work pretty good, even after a couple of weeks without starting. My issue is when I have run the motor and fished for a while. It will start right up but I have to idle it for 4-5 minutes before I get it on plane. If I start it right up and give her the gas she bogs down. It seems it is too rich if I don't let some gas work into the mixture. Have a friend who has a 250 SHO that does the same thing. Both are carbed 2 strokes and not EFI.

Frustrating but once she gets up on plane, she runs great and at the perfect RPM speed ratio. Let me know if you have any thoughts.

4W

I have an XR6 on my Triton TR186 that I bought new in 2001 when I first got it and through the break in process it would flood real easy but after the break in it became the coldest nature thing next to my old 66 Mustang I'd ever seen. it took me a while but I learned finally the combination the get the old gal to fire up without worrying or tying up the boat ramp. 1st pump bulb up to where its firm then while you get backed or in the water turn key on push the key choke enrichment button or switch for a count of 10. set idle at not quite to midway and hit the start then hit the choke in one count pulses mine usually takes two when it fires up make sure the RPM's don't go above 2000 then back off to idle. Works on mine even after sitting up during the winter. After that the rest of the day it starts on the first bump of the key.

Good stuff Fordnut. My only issue has been after the motor sits for an hour or so and I get ready to run. It just needs to idle a bit to get the mixture right to get up on plane. If not, it bogs.

4-5 minutes is a long time but you should be letting it warm up before you hammer it. On my Black Max I pumped the bulb firm, dropped motor down all the way, and hit the enricher. Normally started right up. It use to drive the ex crazy when she could not start it and I jumped in and it fired right up.

Do you pump the bulb before every time you started it up? I have never done that except on initial start. Maybe I will try that when out tomorrow.

sounds like yours may be loading up while sitting but I normally wait until it warms up while idle in gear to get to a take off point. I put a temperature gauge on it not long after I bought it so I have water pressure and temperature if for only my amusement. I also put sea foam in when gassing up 1oz @ gallon the inner barrel of the prop is nice and clean no black stuff.

I do the sea foam marine as well every fill up. I do have a water pressure gauge on mine. Maybe I just need to be a little more patient in the warm up. Maybe not 4-5 minute patient but a couple of minutes. Prop is clean. What did you mean by " sounds like yours may be loading up while sitting" ?

Thanks for the feedback FN.

i've heard and read 'bout several folks that they have ta pump tha bulb up if they set for an hour or so with xr6?.. i've never experienced it with any of my carb motors including all tha XR series carb motors UNLESS they developed a problem with either a leaky bulb and/or fuel pump (internal)......... tha leaky fuel pump will cause it to seem "loaded up" after settin' a little bit... jmo.

Thanks