Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

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?

Make sure your motor is level when starting. I had a cold starting merc a long time ago and that solved my problem

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

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.

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.

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

what type of controls do you have?

[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.

Thanks for the replies. Super busy at school this week. Will get back with detailed response soon

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="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.

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.

as a WAG the carbs are set to lean, 2 strokes need a rich mixture to start

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="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!