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VolvoPenta 230 Hard Starting

B

bcurling

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"Newbie here. I have a Infini

"Newbie here. I have a Infinity 19' with a Volvo-Penta 230/SP1. When engine has not been run a several days or more it is very hard to start. Sometimes it takes 2 or 3 minutes of repaeted tries to get it going. Once warm the engine is absolutely fantastic. Clean engine, clean gas and strong batteries. Any ideas or suggestions to resolve this would be greatly appreciated."
 
"How old is the boat? What typ

"How old is the boat? What type ignition (distributor or coil pack. If distributor, points or electronic/breakerless)? Fuel system carburated or fuel injected?"
 
"I assume the engine is a 1992

"I assume the engine is a 1992 model same year as the boat, has distributor and points and carbutrator."
 
"Check the action of the choke

"Check the action of the choke. Ignition wise, hard starting with an otherwise well running engine is often from old spark plug wires. If your s p wires are original or very old I'd go a head and replace them. I recommend street legal high performance racing wires (Accel, MSD, Taylor, ect.). Be careful when replacing wires. Tranfer one at a time so as not to get them mixed up. If the coil is ten years old or more I'd replace it also."
 
"If you have the same engine a

"If you have the same engine as I do, there is no choke on that engine. Which is a real pain but it should not take 2 or 3 minutes to start. Do you pump the fuel a few times before trying to start? If that does not help, I would do a tune-up then try again. I wonder if part of the problem is a weak fuel pump or a faulty anti-siphon valve? You may also want to consider replacing the points with a Pertronix electronic ignition module. That is $$ well spent.

Have a great day,

Rob."
 
"Thanks Rob, I usually push th

"Thanks Rob, I usually push the throttle full forward for no more than 2 or 3 turns of the engine. I was told that this engine gets its fuel from the top side of the carburator and will flood very easily. I had not thought about the anti-siphon valve. Obiviously there is pretty good spark as the engine starts and runs great after warming so I can see your thoughts on the gas issue. BTW, do you have any idea how many hours I can expect out of these Volvos? Thanks again."
 
"Hello Bill,

I don't kn

"Hello Bill,

I don't know how many hours you can expect. I have heard that these are good engines. If they blow up you can always get one from the junkyard and marinize it.

Have a great day,

Rob."
 
"Rob,
I suppose I did not rea

"Rob,
I suppose I did not realize the engine was an auto engine. (Watch out for the Newbie
smile.gif
). Since this is the case, I assume the engines could last several thousand hours. I am still going to implement "Eddie from Oregon" suggestions since I do not know exactly how many hours are on these components.
What kind of boat do you have your Volvo in?
I appreciate your impute Robj - Thanks"
 
"Hi,

I have a 1991 Glastron

"Hi,

I have a 1991 Glastron witha VOlvo 230Penta motor. Recently purchaseed 6months ago - been siting in my garage. Pulled it out to the water wouldnt start. Cranks but doesnt start. I removed carb cover to spray starter fluid into carb and start again... it wants to start but doesnt stay on. At first i tried pumping gas into the carb witht he throttle but nothing came out however once i shot starter fluid i realized it when i pump the throttle it was shooting gas intot the carb... any ideas? Spark plugs and cap and rotor were replaced 8 months ago. email [email protected] if you have any ideas."
 
"Update:
So, i rebuilt the ca

"Update:
So, i rebuilt the carb, replaced fuel pump and replaced all spark plugs. Crank the motor a few times and as i let off the key the motor starts. Strange almost as if there was a bad ground... boat starts for a few minutes and dies. WOndering if its because i am running it off a hose or because its a bad ignition coil? or bad wires? where do i start???

Please help... struggling! [email protected]"
 
can any body help me with the

can any body help me with the firing order from piston to plug on my 230A noting in manual

Thanks Hijay
 
"I had a reputable place in Wa

"I had a reputable place in Washington called Joes carburators build my Single barrel solex for my volvo penta 230. I installed the carb, used fresh 92 octane, changed out all spark plugs and cap and rotor -- boat fires up but idles real high... never goes below 3,500 without turning off the motor. Any ideaS? what should i be checking here?? any ideas? Please help"
 
Having similar issues on Vancouver Island . HELP ! Is a 1990 230 b , only 900 hrs on engine ( since new) . Will not idle below 1200 rpm lately.

Has been hard to start cold for a few yrs now , , but once warm , starts / runs great . New parts = , plugs , wires , coil , , starter , alternator, carb kit , Drained gas tank , new 89 octane , new timing belt , compression 45 lbs all 4 cylinders , rebuilt heat exchanger, exhaust manifold ,

Could it be something was over looked on carb rebuild ? I’m at a total loss about no low idle issue .
Any suggestions greatly appreciated . Lester
 
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