Carb butterflies in shut position

[Waltomeal]

I have 1983 Johnson 115 that I have been trying to get running smoothly., I removed the cover to the carbs and noticed the butterflies are in the closed position, when I push the electric choke in the key with the key in the on position I hear a click but there's no movement of the butterflies, they aren't frozen but don't open, they stay shut, any suggestions to correct this would be greatly appreciated.

 

[harringtondav]

Most carb chokes stay mostly closed until the electric or manifold heater warms up the choke spring allowing the choke to open. But most carbs have an adjustment to allow a specified amount of choke plate opening during cold start. This could be out of adjustment. 1/8" - 3/16" comes to mind as common.

Most carbs also have a linkage to open a cold choke while the throttle linkages open. Check this out also.

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard, Walt.

This is an outboard and I think it uses a primer solenoid, the clicking you hear, and you are seeing the throttle butterfly. So this is normal and the butterfly only moves with the throttle lever.

A choke and a primer have the same purpose - To richen the fuel mix on start up.. The primer allows extra fuel to be squirted into the carbs and the choke plate reduces combustion air. Both ways cause a higher fuel to oxygen ratio for easier cold starting.

By running smoothly, what is the motor doing or not doing? Have you checked compression and spark on each cylinder?

 

[racerone]

There are no choke flappers !!-----It uses an electric primer valve.------Push the key in while cranking it over.----A motor in good condition will start instantly.