98 Johnson 115 Fuel Prime Flooding

[Grizz1288]

Just a quick question here. When cold starting this engine I've got about a 50/50 chance of it firing right up or me flooding the motor and I know its 100% operator error. The ignition is a 'push-to-choke' (on this motor there is no choke, it engages the enrichment primer solenoid). My question is when I go from a cold start, does the primer solenoid open as soon as I press in the key from the OFF position or does the ignition need to be in the ON position, then pressed in for a few seconds then cranked. Is that cranking happening with the key pressed in or out?

I've put a lot of work into this motor and it is running so well! I know I need to find the perfect starting procedure for her and stick to it, but understanding when this solenoid is actually opened and closed will help me avoid the flooding and get off the trailer without looking like a rookie.

Thanks in advance!

 

[Jersilb]

Have you read this article on "Cold Start Procedures"? It might be just what you need.

 

[racerone]

The solenoid is a simple electric valve.----It is NOT a pump.------It opens when key is pushed in while cranking it over.----Key is to be pushed in and held in during cranking till motor fires.----Then key is pushed in momentarily as needed as motor warms a bit.

 

[Grizz1288]

Good read. That procedure does not exactly answer my question about whether or not the ignition must be in the RUN position to activate the primer solenoid but it was covered in one of the comments. I will give the RUN position with an 8 second press-in, then START a try and see how that works.

Also, I have never had the scenario where the motor is idling and starts to clunk out requiring a 'bump' of the key in to activate the primer. Once she fires she fires, its getting that first crank that I am trying to dial in now.

Thanks!

 

[Grizz1288]

Hmmm, so just pressing in the key and not cranking the motor effectively does nothing... I guess I am right back where I started.

 

[racerone]

The solenoid is a valve.----It is not a pump.------It needs fuel PRESSURE to work.-----That pressure comes from the fuel pump when engine is cranking.----No idea why anyone would say push it in for 8 seconds before cranking !!

 

[Grizz1288]

Am I not providing artificial pressurization in the system when pumping the fuel bulb? It would make sense to me if that built up pressure isn't pushing more fuel into the carb bowls after they fill and close then it would instantly release through the solenoid once I press the key in, before any cranking even starts.

Sorry if this sounds stupid just working my way through the process trying to understand years a marine experience and expertise over a few internet posts. Thanks for the info.

 

[racerone]

Not sure why you will not understand here.-----Yes when you first push the key in , fuel will squirt out.---After that nothing !!-----No different than the garden hose.----When you turn off the supply valve there will be pressure in the hose.------Open the nozzle and the spray quickly disappears.-----Try that to see how it works !!!----Note ---I own more than 1 motor.----Including a 98 model 115 HP.

 

[Grizz1288]

I understand, the whole issue here is that I am flooding the engine, i.e. 'squirting' too much fuel into the cylinders before it is firing. I think that the initial 'squirt' that you are so vividly comparing in the hose analogy is plenty of fuel to get through the 'choke' process and I should NOT also be pressing in the key during the initial cranking (injecting even more fuel). Thanks for the info, I will use this to fine tune my starting procedure.

 

[racerone]

Well the holes in the nipples are so small that it would really be hard to flood the motor.-----You have other problems and I do not believe the motor is flooding at all.-----Some orderly trouble shooting needs to be done.-------That primer VALVE was first used in about 1980 and they work really well.----There has been no need to change or improve that primer valve !!---End of the story.