1979 85hp johnson- need help starting

[scboater90]

Old 2 stroke, have had all diagnostics done. Compression, fire, carbs all good. I believe it is me. Usually takes me 10 minutes or so to start it. I normally flood it first. (By accident of course). Is ther any tricks to these old outboards I should know? And certain sequence to start it? When it finally starts, it'll start with one turn after that. Runs just like it should. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[jimmbo]

Lower engine, squeeze the primer bulb till it is firm. Raise fast idle lever on the control box. Activate the choke by pushing in the key, and turn key to crank. once engine starts lower idle lever so engine isn't screaming, you may need to rechoke it lightly a few times. With some engines though you might have to do headstands and/or jumping jacks, holding your tongue a certain way, lots of colourful language... before it will start

 

[oldboat1]

^^Like he says, although I would try choking manually, not using the solenoid. The plates have to close tight for choking/cold starting -- may want to confirm that. Cussin' at them is an art form, and part of the procedure.

 

[interalian]

Make sure the choke pulls all the way shut when you press the key in. Use jimmbo's techinque. Make sure to hold the key in (choke) whilst cranking, and release it when it catches.

 

[racerone]

Well, " slow cranking " translates into a hard to start motor.-----So inspect starter / solenoid / cables / load test your battery.---Opinions on this will of course vary.

 

[scboater90]

Jimmbo, I'm having to do headstands and gymnastics lol

 

[interalian]

Well, " slow cranking " translates into a hard to start motor.-----So inspect starter / solenoid / cables / load test your battery.---Opinions on this will of course vary.

??Don't see "slow cranking" anywhere on this thread?? But it's a good point to make sure it's cranking fast enough - ~250 rpm.

 

[racerone]

Cranking speed is often overlooked , but it is a prime reason for a " hard to start motor "---A 1979 model V-4 starts right up if it is in good condition !!

 

[ezmobee]

Cranking speed is often overlooked , but it is a prime reason for a " hard to start motor "---A 1979 model V-4 starts right up if it is in good condition !!

Absolutely. These motors don't even think about starting until a certain RPM.

 

[jimmbo]

Jimmbo, I'm having to do headstands and gymnastics lol

The Colourful Language comes next!
Are the spark plugs good and properly gapped? As mentioned, are the choke plates fully closing? Try spraying some gas/oil mix into the carbs and see if it fires? If it does, I would be looking carefully at the carbs. Float level, and plugged fuel circuits. Other things that can cause hard starting are leaky crankshaft seals or leaky crankcase seals

 

[scboater90]

Didn't know about the rpms, thank you. And jimmbo yes spark plugs are new and properly gapped. I use a 50:1 mix for my oil/gas. Is that to much? Could that be causing issues? I'm gonna try spraying a lil mix in the carbs, see what happens. Carbs might need cleaned.

 

[racerone]

50:1 is the proper mix.

 

[interalian]

Post a video clip of your cold start attempt on youtube. The experts here will tell you if it's cranking fast enough.

 

[scboater90]

Thanks everyone, ended up trading it and the boy for something a lil newer. Thank you