Thread: cold start

i got a new to me 89 70 hp evinrude had new fuel pump carbs rebuilded hadnt had it out but a few times sure is hard to crank but seems find the rest of the day dont know if im choking it to much or not enough or even if its a gas issue like to hear anthing you guys got to say thanks

I don't think you could ever choke this engine to much when it was cold. This is what I did when I had a evinrude. Pump the primmer bulb till firm, lift the fast idle about 1/2 way. I would lower the motor all the way down, push in the key to choke it, turn the key while still pushing the key in and wait for the engine to start letting go of the key if it starts . I listen to see if the engine stumbles if it does I choke it again and again till it runs smooth.

Don't use starter fluid to start an outboard. It works but has no oil to lube during the start. use a squirt bottle with mixed fuel if that becomes necessary. My mechanic scolded me soundly for this, never crossed my mind.

Originally Posted by caveman

I don't think you could ever choke this engine to much when it was cold. This is what I did when I had a evinrude. Pump the primmer bulb till firm, lift the fast idle about 1/2 way. I would lower the motor all the way down, push in the key to choke it, turn the key while still pushing the key in and wait for the engine to start letting go of the key if it starts . I listen to see if the engine stumbles if it does I choke it again and again till it runs smooth.

I went thru everything you did with your motor and the mechanic had to come to the boat ramp a few days later when the motor wouldn't start. He got on the boat and started it like caveman explained and dang if it didn't fire right off and run. The mechanic assumed I knew what I was doing and I never splained what a dummy I was about the marine world. I have also added to my check list "when I go to pump the bulb up to fill the carbs I check the connections to make sure the gas line is connected to the motor" that was another service call for nothing but 35 dollars each time.
Good luck with your motor. Ferdi aka Fred

thanks for the tips caveman especially about the motor being down been trying to crank it with muffs tilted up before a trip thats got to help thanks also skeetbum and ferdi for the input

Tilting it down should help. It doesnt have a choke but a primer and it is possible to flood it. Its ok for an engine to have to warm up some before it runs perfectly but if you pull the warm up lever and prime it while its down and not tilted up it should fire off and run. If after warming up it still shuts back off you probably have some minor issue somehwere.