1990 E/rude 8 HP. starting poorly

[Tim Frank]

I have a 1990 8HP E/rude which replaced a 1989 Johnson 8 HP that was stolen.

This motor is hard to start after a week's non-use....it typically get used only on weekends; takes probably 10-12 pulls to get going at this time of year. The Johnson was worse.
I have a 1975 E/rude which is a 1 or 2 pull piece of cake....and that is what I am using as a benchmark.

Once it starts...say on Friday night....it is fine for the rest of the weekend.
The choke is operating as it should, but that first start has always been a #$@%%^ compared to the 6 HP, and i am wondering if that is normal or fixable.


I have the OEM manual, but after a couple of reviews, nothing leaps out as a starting point for troubleshooting.
Except for the starting issue, it runs beautifully and idles like a dream

Given how lean they have those set up, has anyone ever retro-fitted a push button primer to one of these, just for starting help?
Or is that a crazy idea?

 

[oldcatamount]

Re: 1990 E/rude 8 HP. starting poorly

Be sure the primer bulb is firm, choke on, open throttle as far as it will go. If the plugs are good, it'll start. Also, letting the fuel sit around in the tank for awhile will make it "sour". Try a shot of Stabil in the next tank.

 

[raczekp1]

Re: 1990 E/rude 8 HP. starting poorly

check if you ran engin on recomended spark plugs,
play with slow speed needle(screv out a litle, qarter of turn),
pump fuel bulb enough fuel into carb,
sometimes water can condensate into carb
cleaning the carb can help.
carb from 8hp models is almost the same as 9.9 older carbs(up to 87y models-read http://www.sschapterpsa.com/ramblings/Ramblings.html, 01B-31B), check wires going from flywheel to powerpack and to ignition coils, especialy cables from coils to spark plugs

 

[Tim Frank]

Re: 1990 E/rude 8 HP. starting poorly

Be sure the primer bulb is firm, choke on, open throttle as far as it will go. If the plugs are good, it'll start. Also, letting the fuel sit around in the tank for awhile will make it "sour". Try a shot of Stabil in the next tank.

I do all the above as routine, except the "open the throttle as far....".
There is a ratchet pawl that engages beyond a high idle and locks out the starter.

Does anyone have one of these that starts on 1 or 2 pulls all the time?

 

[Vic.S]

Re: 1990 E/rude 8 HP. starting poorly

I do all the above as routine, except the "open the throttle as far....".
There is a ratchet pawl that engages beyond a high idle and locks out the starter.

Does anyone have one of these that starts on 1 or 2 pulls all the time?

I have a 1984 6 hp. Not dissimilar except for the carb, that's rather different. It does have a flap type choke like your current one ( although I think your 89 model had a primer pump)

After being unused for a week or so it does take a number of pulls to start it.

My routine is
Lower into working position, connect tank, open vent, prime with bulb.

Check gear in neutral ( although there is no lock out), set throttle as high as possible without it locking out the starter, pull choke fully.

Yank string until it fires.

If it fires but does not run ( normal) push choke knob back in, turn idle mixture knob to maximum rich setting,
Yank string again. That usually does it.
Check telltale.
Turn mixture slowly to normal as it warms up and reduce speed to normal idle speed.