To choke or not choke?
 

For a boat that's run up north, but certainly not in temps below ~55F, is there anything to lose from using a carb without a choke? At cold start and until the engine warms up, how badly will it run?

Anyone have experience going from a carb with a choke to one without on similar engines?

thanks

Re: To choke or not choke?
 

Never boated any further north than South Carolina, but have been out in 55-60 temps. Always ripped the choke out of every engine I've owned. One less part to cause problems and better air flow thru the carb. A well tuned engine will start after a quick pump or two of the throttle. After a short 1000-1200 rpm warm up, you should be ready to go.

Re: To choke or not choke?
 

Yup what he said. Just let it warm up and keep it reved for a min or 2 untill it warms up, you should't have any problems.

Re: To choke or not choke?
 

carpman,
I'm on Anchor Bay, and have not run a choke in about 10 years. Just like the others said, pump the throttle 3-4 times and it should start right up. You may have to play with the throttle for a minute or two, then let it idle until it gets to temp.

Re: To choke or not choke?
 

My ZZ502 was a PIA with a choke until the engine warmed up. Stumble, burp, cough........ Now the choke is gone and like the others say, I pump it once or twice, turn the key, and go to high idle (800-900 RPM) for a minute or two. Purrs like a kitten :D

Re: To choke or not choke?
 

I'm also up North.
Holley/BG carbs do totally fine without chokes.
One pump and a shoulder roll :D .......Vrooom.

Better you have your ignition + carb, the more cold start (in marine at typical 50°, 60°,70°, etc,etc) is not an issue.

Re: To choke or not choke?
 

Ditto. We do not run chokes on any engine we build.

Re: To choke or not choke?
 

No Chocke Needed. I have twin 540's. Just need to let em warm up for about 2 minutes when its cold. This weekend it is supposed to be in the mid 30's at night. Time to put the boat away.

Re: To choke or not choke?
 

Thanks everyone. Not too often do I get a resoundingly unamimous reply! :)

Re: To choke or not choke?
 

This weekend it is supposed to be in the mid 30's at night. Time to put the boat away

THATS WHY I LOVE THE SOUTH :D

Re: To choke or not choke?
 

bcarpman

Hope this isn't an insult to bring this up, but....be sure to remove the carb before taking the choke out. Knew someone who tried it while still on the engine. Dropped a couple of the small screws into the carb and down into the mainfold....major problems to get them out. Be sure to protect those small air bleeds in the carb body from debris...extra care and some tape over them shud be fine. Also, theres a hole in the side of the carb body on the flange where the flame arrestor sits where the choke linkage passes thru. I always plug this. Good luck...enjoy choke free boating.

Re: To choke or not choke?
 

No insult :) I can imagine more than a few people I know trying this. I'm rebuilding the entire engine. (out of the boat) :rolleyes: