1979 Evinrude 115 - Hard Starting

[BlueAxela]

Hey guys,

I'm having a problem with my 78/79 115HP Evinrude. Its very hard to start cold.

So to recap. On a cold start:

1)Raise fast idle lever up
2)Prime the fuel line by using the fuel bulb.
3)Turn ignition on (hear the audible beep), PUSH IN to choke and turn key to start engine?

I don't know how to use the CHOKE part properly. I never know when to stop PUSHING IN the choke on starting the engine. When do you disengage the choke (stop pushing key in)? When the engine starts?

Blue.

[licketdsplit756]

i have a 85 115 johnson pretty much same motor mine was a low compression on one cylnder.i fixed that she runs fine.

[mokaction]

1. Prime Fuel Bulb
2. Raise Fast idle lever up
3. Turn ignition key on, but don't start.
4. push in choke 8 times.
5. Without pushing in choke engage starter.

Larry

[jtexas]

mokaction, that is correct for 1980 and later models with the primer system. But in 1979 we have choke plates. Blue's got it right.

To answer your question, yes, hold it in until the engine starts. If she starts to die before she's warmed up, just punch it - usually keeps it running.

Are you using champion QL77JC4 gapped at .030
Check to make sure the choke plates are closing completely, also that the timer base is advancing fully when you lift the hi-idle lever to 'start'.

[ezeke]

Just to reinforce the importance of what jtexas said about the choke plates, it is about half of all the cold start problems for V4 motors with choke plates. You have to take off the air cover and watch carefully while someone cranks the engine. That is the only way to assure that the chokes are staying 100% closed.

The vacuum created by the movement of the pistons can easily overwhelm the choke plates if they are not adjusted properly, causing them to open and making the cold start difficult.

You can usually move the solenoid in small increments and correct it if the chokes are properly synchronized.

[BlueAxela]

Guys,

Is it bad if I keep hold the key in the on position until the engine cranks? Is there a limit on how long I should hold the key on for?

[hoeser]

No more than 15 seconds per most manuals, I've read as long as 30 which seems insane to me. Starters get hot, fast. I wouldn't hold it for more than 5-7 seconds.

[jtexas]

I agree, 15 seconds at most, with maybe half a minute in between - I don't like to hold it on more than 5 or 8 seconds either. That *usually* does it -unless of course I forgot to reattach the emergency lanyard.

You haven't resolved your cold start problem yet?

[barbwire44]

Can you guys give me a little more detail on this subject, I also have the same engine just a 1973 model and it is a pain in the but to start cold also. I have tried lever up, lever down choke on choke off, pump the bulb tight first etc...etc.. seems like I still end up hitting the key 20 times to get it started after it sets more than an hour.... I am running autolite plugs???? maybe the champions are better???? and how do you check the timing advance,,,I'm pretty new to these outboards. And the choke, checking it what am I looking at like a motorcycle carb to see the butterfy close up tight???
thanks

[jtexas]

For a cold start, you need primer bulb pumped up, hi-idle lever full up, and choke on until it starts. Take the airbox cover off, you'll see the choke plates, and yes they need to close fully. Doubtful the spark plugs make a difference in starting. The timer base is under the flywheel, there's a rod linking it to the throttle on the starboard side, and a stop screw near the front part of the engine. It should move forward to the stop screw when you advance the throttle.

go to the BRP website here: http://epc.brp.com/default.aspx?brands=ej&lang=E and drill down to your year/model to view your schematic diagrams. A manual will pay for itself easily the first time you use it, kencook.com and marineengine.com have the factory shop manuals

[barbwire44]

thank you JTexas!! that is exactly the info I needed, I think I can check it out now myself and have a little confidence that I know what I am looking for.

[BlueAxela]

Just to update this thread. I took off the black air cover box to winterize my boat and noticed that only the top choke plates where closing! The bottom choke plate was open all the time. That would explain my hard starting all season. The linkage between the two was loose so I fixed that and both choke plates close now when you push the key in. Starting should be easier next season!

[jaguar17]

For me it was the choke plates not closing. Moved the choke solenoid down about 1/4 inch and that put enough tension to close the chokes all the way shut. turned the key and fired on the first try. thanks to all the previous post for the info.