Decompression valve

Starboard3579

Recruit
Joined
Aug 10, 2025
Messages
1
Bought a new suzuki 15 pull start. It is a bear to pull. Ive learned I should give a slow pull to release the decompression valve then a full pull to start.
That is still EXTREMELY difficult most pulls.
What can I do? Taking it back for service is a major hassle in my situation, not realistic to do that for this.
 

Mc Tool

Ensign
Joined
Aug 7, 2024
Messages
901
Bought a new suzuki 15 pull start. It is a bear to pull. Ive learned I should give a slow pull to release the decompression valve then a full pull to start.
That is still EXTREMELY difficult most pulls.
What can I do? Taking it back for service is a major hassle in my situation, not realistic to do that for this.
F E B :) ( full English breakfast )
Seriously tho , what part are you having trouble with , dont mean to be smartarse ( not this time anyway ) but sometimes changing the grip for another that better suits your hand can help , Getting the grip ripped out of your hand is not pleasant . Spray a bit of silicon lube on the cord to help it slip thru the guides better . Sitting or standing can make a difference too .
Sometime there is a bit of technique required ( thinkin of my old TT500 single motorbike ).
Probly the only other thing I would do is to check the valve clearances are correct .
 
Last edited:

99yam40

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Sep 7, 2008
Messages
9,204
I would at least talk to the dealer to see if that motor has a decompression valve.
I have no clue if they do or don't
 

racerone

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
Messages
39,197
Decompression is often automatic on the camshaft.------Stops working once engine has started.----Where did you read that a slow pull releases it?
 

Jeff J

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 23, 2021
Messages
400
I have never encountered one on a boat. Engines I have encountered them on all had a lever to release the compression but those were on motorcycles, a big chainsaw and my atv. They could all be painful if a person forgot to flip the lever first.
 

racerone

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
Messages
39,197
In the 1950's the 35 HP Johnson / Evinrude had decompression activated by the recoil starter.----
 

airshot

Admiral
Joined
Jul 22, 2008
Messages
6,117
Not sure your reason for having difficulty pulling that motor, but I can say my reason is turn rotator cuffs in both shoulders....plus old age...no pulling for this old boy ! I have learned recently that the newer 4 stroke engines are more difficult to pull than the old two strokes. If you choose to keep it, you might need to modify the start handle to give you some leverage, otherwise...they are what they are....always test pull before buying a manual start..
 

boscoe99

Commander
Joined
Aug 22, 2013
Messages
2,181
This thread talks about using an electric drill motor to crank the motor.

 

boscoe99

Commander
Joined
Aug 22, 2013
Messages
2,181
I am now wondering if these batteryless EFI's are inherently harder to pull start than non EFI models. It takes some mechanical energy to create the electrical energy needed to operate the ECU and electric fuel pump.
 
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