89 Evinrude Hard Starting Help!!

[htyper96]

Hello All,

I have an 89 Evinrude 88spl that seems to need a lot of convincing to start. I am very mechanically inclined but new to boat motors, 2 strokes, and carburetors. I got the boat from my father who took good care of it but I am not sure the motor has been serviced before (stressing not sure). I can get the motor to start but it takes a while (2-5 min). I seem to have mastered the art of feathering the choke to get it going. Weird thing is after I have been cranking it over a bunch it starts better with the choke off. It seems to run strong with no problems after the initial start. It is really embarrassing being the guy at the dock who cant get his motor to start, so much that I have started using my trolling motor to go out on the lake to get her going.

So with all that said I need help. I have ordered a new set of plugs (that haven’t arrived yet) but am not sure what to do after that if it does not help. I am thinking cleaning or rebuilding the carburetor but not sure and that is when all you experts come in. Thank you in advance for any help and taking to time to read my posting.

[deputydog1]

I just fought a similar problem for over a month and I'm about convinced that my problem was a weak battery! It turned over fine, but would not light off. I put in a big battery out of my motorhome (1100 CCA) and it lit right off.. That after trying everything in the book! Jump it off with a hot battery and see if that helps. It sure did mine.

-Deputydog1