Cold start issues
Moderators: Redneck_Randy, badmoonrising, lakerunner
Cold start issues
My new to me 1981 50hp Johnson 2 stroke does not like to start cold. She fires right up every time when warm, but takes a lot of cranking before she fires cold. The very first time she wants to go, then lots and lots of cranking. It is almost like there is a fuel issue. I am fairly new to outboards (all boat motors) and not sure how the bulb pump should feel and act. It gets hard, but not completely hard. I can here air in the tank if I squeeze it. The chokes function.
What can I look for?
What can I look for?
- lakerunner
- Site Moderator
- Posts: 4820
- Joined: Fri Mar 17, 2006 2:31 pm
- Location: Live in McAlester, Ok Boat on Tenkiller
- Contact:
Re: Cold start issues
Make sure your motor is level when starting. I had a cold starting merc a long time ago and that solved my problem
Loyd & Betty Meeks
Livin the lake life
2004 Tracker 22 Regency/2010 90 E-Tec. Pulled by Ford 2020 F 250,
McAlester, Oklahoma
Home lake is Tenkiller
Livin the lake life
2004 Tracker 22 Regency/2010 90 E-Tec. Pulled by Ford 2020 F 250,
McAlester, Oklahoma
Home lake is Tenkiller
Re: Cold start issues
although you said the choke is working it may not be closing all the way try while someone is cranking the motor to manually push the chock rod closed I had this issue with a 87 Suzuki 115 2 stroke the rod had built up gunk from inside the choke solenoid after it was cleaned I never had a cold start issue again
- rancherlee
- Posts: 580
- Joined: Tue Jul 13, 2010 5:59 am
- Location: Eveleth MN
Re: Cold start issues
Does this motor have an actual choke or does it have the electric primer? I can't remember what my old 79' 55hp twin had but I know my 81' 90hp V4 had the electric primer and I had to keep pushing and releasing the key in and out for the first 30 seconds or so to keep it running. I believe the choke works the same way, you need to hold in on the key to keep it choked.
1988' Kennedy 20' "Haley's Comet"
Rebuilt 2016 with 25" single strake outer tubes and a 25x23" straked U-tube
2003 Suzuki DF140 - Yamaha 9.9HT kicker - 39.1@6300rpm
Rebuilt 2016 with 25" single strake outer tubes and a 25x23" straked U-tube
2003 Suzuki DF140 - Yamaha 9.9HT kicker - 39.1@6300rpm
Re: Cold start issues
Change the spark plugs, put a new fuel line on it, check the fuel filter, and check the foot of the siphon going into the fuel tank for another filter. Doesn't hurt to replace the fuel line (and bulb) from time to time as they deteriorate.
Replace the little rubber membrane in the fuel pump as 90/10 gasoline is death on anything rubber. It's a 2 minute job.
If still having problems, pull the carbs, disassemble and clean them with aerosol carb cleaner--noting the "turns" on any adjusting screws. Clean them one at a time. Be careful not to tear any gaskets, so no carb kit is required.
There again, sticky needle valves are a serious 2 stroke problem--with a drip, drip, drip flooding the engine. Some needle valves have rubber tips on them--again gummed up by 90/10 gasoline. I can pull, clean and replace the carbs on my 115 hp Yamaha 2 stroke in about an hour.
Replace the little rubber membrane in the fuel pump as 90/10 gasoline is death on anything rubber. It's a 2 minute job.
If still having problems, pull the carbs, disassemble and clean them with aerosol carb cleaner--noting the "turns" on any adjusting screws. Clean them one at a time. Be careful not to tear any gaskets, so no carb kit is required.
There again, sticky needle valves are a serious 2 stroke problem--with a drip, drip, drip flooding the engine. Some needle valves have rubber tips on them--again gummed up by 90/10 gasoline. I can pull, clean and replace the carbs on my 115 hp Yamaha 2 stroke in about an hour.
'12 Bennington 24' SSLX Yamaha 150
Re: Cold start issues
try this, before cranking put throttle in neutral and put it at 1/4 throttle ,prime your bulb and see if it helps,works on my 2 stroke every time its cold
kenny...2005 32 ft party cruiser ,2005 silverado 6.0 4x4 what a long strange trip its been
Re: Cold start issues
what type of controls do you have?
if it ain't broke-it ain't ours
94 smokercraft 20ft 90hp johnson
fish and cruise
I am not ADULT SUPERVISION !
94 smokercraft 20ft 90hp johnson
fish and cruise
I am not ADULT SUPERVISION !
Re: Cold start issues
[quote="kenbob62"]try this, before cranking put throttle in neutral and put it at 1/4 throttle ,prime your bulb and see if it helps,works on my 2 stroke every time its cold[/quote]
This!
Those motors are cold natured, and need the neutral throttle bumped up a bit along with the choke.
There should be a lever lying flat on top of your control box. That's the neutral throttle.
This!
Those motors are cold natured, and need the neutral throttle bumped up a bit along with the choke.
There should be a lever lying flat on top of your control box. That's the neutral throttle.
Rick
Sights are for the unenlightened.
Sights are for the unenlightened.
Re: Cold start issues
Thanks for the replies. Super busy at school this week. Will get back with detailed response soon
Re: Cold start issues
I had a johnson 140 horse that was the exact same way. I learned that there was a certain way to start it if you didn't do that on the cold start she would be a bigger bitch to start. My procedure was warm up lever all the way up then press choke and turn key after about w revolutions release choke and continue cranking she usually started right after y9u let the choke go. Let motor warm up before backing off trailer usually by the time you unhook bow line it would be good to go. That was my experience yours might be different but play with the choke.
2017 Bennington 22ssrx
115 Yamaha
karavan Trailer
2014 Chev tahoe
_________________________
Port Of Bismarck ND
115 Yamaha
karavan Trailer
2014 Chev tahoe
_________________________
Port Of Bismarck ND
Re: Cold start issues
[quote="tkrein"]I had a johnson 140 horse that was the exact same way. I learned that there was a certain way to start it if you didn't do that on the cold start she would be a bigger bitch to start. My procedure was warm up lever all the way up then press choke and turn key after about w revolutions release choke and continue cranking she usually started right after y9u let the choke go. Let motor warm up before backing off trailer usually by the time you unhook bow line it would be good to go. That was my experience yours might be different but play with the choke.[/quote]
In my experience, the smaller HP motors are much worse.
In my experience, the smaller HP motors are much worse.
Rick
Sights are for the unenlightened.
Sights are for the unenlightened.
Re: Cold start issues
My experience with 2 stroke motors is that if they're mechanically right, they'll start when cold very easily.
It's the same whether they're high strung race prepared motocross motorcycles, a hopped up Sea Doo or one of the old 200 hp Merc. Black Max outboards.
My old Yamaha 115 hp 2 stroke would always start within 5 seconds even after sitting all winter. Most of the time, it'd start immediately when the key hit the start gate.
If they're not starting very easily, there's an issue.
It's the same whether they're high strung race prepared motocross motorcycles, a hopped up Sea Doo or one of the old 200 hp Merc. Black Max outboards.
My old Yamaha 115 hp 2 stroke would always start within 5 seconds even after sitting all winter. Most of the time, it'd start immediately when the key hit the start gate.
If they're not starting very easily, there's an issue.
'12 Bennington 24' SSLX Yamaha 150
Re: Cold start issues
as a WAG the carbs are set to lean, 2 strokes need a rich mixture to start
If it aint broke your not having enough fun
James & Deb
1988 Riviera Cruiser 15 HP Mariner
05 Silverado Z 71 V8 5.3
James & Deb
1988 Riviera Cruiser 15 HP Mariner
05 Silverado Z 71 V8 5.3
Re: Cold start issues
Found the issue! While the high idle lever moves on the controls, the cable has too much friction (or some other issue). It does not move the throttle on the motor. If I manually give it throttle on the motor, it fires up first crank.
So, now I have to figure out the issue with the cable.
So, now I have to figure out the issue with the cable.
Re: Cold start issues
[quote="Coach v"]Found the issue! While the high idle lever moves on the controls, the cable has too much friction (or some other issue). It does not move the throttle on the motor. If I manually give it throttle on the motor, it fires up first crank.
So, now I have to figure out the issue with the cable.[/quote]
Excellent, Sir!
So, now I have to figure out the issue with the cable.[/quote]
Excellent, Sir!
Rick
Sights are for the unenlightened.
Sights are for the unenlightened.