Johnson 8hp Seahorse only starts w/ starter fluid

[RSPorch]

My Sea Scout ship's 8hp Johnson Seahorse ('80s) kicker won't start cold w/o starter fluid. Kind of a pain, and dangerous in some situations. What's up?-Randy

[gsnyder]

Here's a thought--my Johnson 7.5 would only start with starter fluid (bad for the motors by the way due to lack of lubrication). The outboard guy said my starting problem was caused by the coils. It seems that someone had installed after market coils that had been designed for electric start motors, so a pull start didn't spin the flywheel fast enough to generate a strong enough spark to start a normal fuel mixture. So, maybe a component in your electrical system is not generating enough spark to ignite a gas mixture: coils, flywheel magnet or plugs. I also had a 74 Johnson 15hp that kept fouling plugs; there again the coils were not producing sufficient spark to burn off the gasoline. More easily, maybe the plugs need replacing before looking anywhere more complicated.

[suzukidave]

my 88 johnson 6hp is also a hard starter -- you may have to live with it within reason. First off, stop using the starter fluid -- it's for emergencies and it will damage your motor over time by starting it with no lubrication oil in the cylinders. If you must then find older (last year or eaarlier) "highly inflammable" WD-40 or else get a squirter can with pre-mix in it. Failing that it's better to pull it 20 times to get it going....Next thing. Does it start easy when warm? If so are you following the cold start instructions in the manual to the letter? There is an in-out choke procedure for those things that escapes me right now but which you have to follow.Next thing, are you pumping the fuel bulb good and hard and have you checked every piece in the fuel system from the tank vent to the fuel pump to make sure it is all functioning correctly? Try switching hoses and tanks if you can.If none of that works your problem could be spark or carb. Mine has an incredibly touchy carb which gums up from old fuel easily so I would suspect that, but check spark first then if ok buy a carb rebuild kit (maybe $20) and rebuild your carb according to the instructions (slowly) taking care to clear out all the little passages. It'll take you about an hour. If you have a hard plastic float bowl take extra care reinstalling it as they break easy if you overtighten.PS I was a sea scout but they never let me near an outboard

[sloopy]

try some hutter plugs?

[RSPorch]

The thing does NOT start at all cold (pulled about 50xs last time when I was out of s-fluid, and I wiegh 200lbs). It will only start warm when immediately (couple minutes max) after turning off. Fuel bulb always pumped till hard, not always the same gas tank, and has new plugs.-randy

[sloopy]

try some hutter plugs?

[RSPorch]

Forgot to mention- motor was donated, so we have no manual. (we also have the almost identical 7.5hp, also w/o manual, but that one works fine...now...=) Also, we've tried half a dozen (new) plugs.-randy

[suzukidave]

a clymer or selco manual will cost $30 and will make your life easier on both motors. Rule #1, get the manual!your problem seems to be either fuel or spark. I think you have a good set of trouble shooting suggestions for both. All can be followed through with a manual. Also, if the coils and plug leads on the 7.5 are definitely identical to the 8 you might just try switching them over to see if that changes things

[harrison20002]

DIYGUY; Suzukidave gave you some good advice about interchanging the electrical parts to find the problem. In the meantime start saving your money 'cause the Starting Fluid is going to cost you at least an overhaul if not a new motor. Hal

[RSPorch]

Yeah, well, it is on a sailboat, and being somewhat purists, it doesn't get used that much. Probably a start or two a month. It's just at those times when you're seconds from disaster and need to crank her up that it becomes rather inopportune to start removing plugs and squirtin fluid (narrow inlet, wind against you, 3'+ swells, inexperienced crew...use your imagination=)-Randy

[sloopy]

I sail to! by myself all alone, I keep my motor at idle becuase I like the smell