87 Evinrude SPL Hard to Start when Cold

[dubnvento]

I've posted this before but the problem wasn't what I thought. I have a 1965Larson All American with a 87 Evinrude SPL out back. It has the electric start at the key and throttle at the drivers seat. I have been having a hard time starting it when I first put it in the water. The guys on iboats thought I should try pushing in the key for an eight count and then trying then turn the key with a little bit of gas in netural. I tried that and it didn't seem to help. I have to turn the key proably six or seven times before it will idle. I have the spark plugs changed and the gear oil changed and also the idle adjusted by a marine mechanic. Any thoughts on what I could do to help it start?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 87 Evinrude SPL Hard to Start when Cold

Are the carbs clean? What spark plugs are you using?

 

[dubnvento]

Re: 87 Evinrude SPL Hard to Start when Cold

Carb is clean, I had it cleaned with it went in for service as well as the spark plugs changed. All I know on the Spark Plugs is that they are the correct ones for this model and they are NGK. The old owner had a different set of plugs for this model and I'm starting to wonder if they were colder plugs to make it run better?

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 87 Evinrude SPL Hard to Start when Cold

Those motors are set up to use Champion plugs. Now, that's if the motor is still stock and as produced. If the carbs have been rejetted or the motor has been modified then that's diffreent.

If the motor is stock and as produced try a set of QL77JC4's. Make sure you're using fresh 87 octane.

Does it only start hard in the water or on the flushette also?

 

[dubnvento]

Re: 87 Evinrude SPL Hard to Start when Cold

Thanks for the info. I've only started it in the water never on land.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: 87 Evinrude SPL Hard to Start when Cold

Also try trimming up the motor a bit, ease some of the back pressure during start up, just not so much that the intake is no longer submerged.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: 87 Evinrude SPL Hard to Start when Cold

If your mechanic adjusted the idle on land it will be different in the water. It needs to be set in the water.