Difficult cold starts without starting fluid

[carlg53]

1975 3 cyl 2 stroke is very hard to start without using starting fluid, also for a 1975 motor do you need to add a lead additive to the fuel? I am but don't know if i am supposed to. Thanks any help will be appreciated.

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Difficult cold starts without starting fluid

You should not need a lead additive and you should not use starting fluid. Your motor needs to have the proper fuel/oil mix to keep the "internals" properly lubricated.

I suggest you troubleshoot the motor to get at the root cause of the problem. Start with a compression check and work your way through fuel delivery & ignition/timing issues. If you wish, you can ask specific questions here and will most likely receive informed replies.

 

[rndn]

Re: Difficult cold starts without starting fluid

Never never never use starting fluid on a 2 stroke outboard. Put some pre mix in a squirt bottle for use if needed. If it's hard to start, what process are you using to attempt to start the outboard.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Difficult cold starts without starting fluid

exactly, step by step, what is your starting procedure? this is often human error.

 

[HighTrim]

Re: Difficult cold starts without starting fluid

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=225510

 

[F_R]

Re: Difficult cold starts without starting fluid

If it isn't your procedure, it probably is the choke isn't working properly. Next time try "assisting" the choke with light finger pressure to hold it closed. If it starts, you need to find out what is wrong with it. Could be adjustment, electrical, or whatever.

 

[carlg53]

Re: Difficult cold starts without starting fluid

exactly, step by step, what is your starting procedure? this is often human error.

The first thing I do is move the starting lever to the up position. The motor has an automatic choke that does work properly. I give the bulb a squeez until there is presure, I toggle up the choke and start cranking. Thats my proceedure. Thanks for your reply.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Difficult cold starts without starting fluid

Assuming that the starter and battery are capable of providing the necessary 300RPM for a cold start, the following may help:

The only problem with the choke plates is that they often are not synchronized in such a manner that they all close 100% while you are cranking. This is partially due to the vacuum created by the pistons, and worsened due to synchronizing.

The only way that you can be sure is to watch the choke plates while the engine is being cranked, and adjust them until they are 100% closed. Often that is simply a matter of moving the choke solenoid in small increments.

BTW, It is physically impossible to observe the choke plates with the air cover on the carburetors

Once you have the chokes 100% closed, you will have cut off most of the air supply, and will have no need for starter fluid, (or a spray bottle of premix).

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Difficult cold starts without starting fluid

squeeze bulb till HARD, try 3 times then repump bulb. only crank 4 or 5 revolutions. and repeat. extended cranking will burn up the starter, and discharge the battery. a full charge battery is necessary, as the motor has to spin +- 300 rpms to start. clean connection on positive & negative cables, battery, solenoid , solenoid to starter, motor ground to battery. not just that they are tight, they have to be clean.

ezeke and i typing at same time.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Difficult cold starts without starting fluid

if this does not work, check your compression and spark on all 3 cylinders.

 

[carlg53]

Re: Difficult cold starts without starting fluid

Thanks guy's all of your answers have been a big help to me and I appreciate it.

 

[PmDavis300]

Re: Difficult cold starts without starting fluid

squeeze bulb till HARD, try 3 times then repump bulb. only crank 4 or 5 revolutions. and repeat. extended cranking will burn up the starter, and discharge the battery. a full charge battery is necessary, as the motor has to spin +- 300 rpms to start. clean connection on positive & negative cables, battery, solenoid , solenoid to starter, motor ground to battery. not just that they are tight, they have to be clean.

ezeke and i typing at same time.

how long do you consider "extended cranking"?

 

[ezeke]

Re: Difficult cold starts without starting fluid

There is no possible way to get that engine to 300 RPM in "4 to 5 revolutions"

 

[F_R]

Re: Difficult cold starts without starting fluid

Actually, it is possible..as unbelievable as it sounds. You can even get the required RPM with a rope when emergency starting. If it were not possible, you couldn't rope start it.

 

[ezeke]

Re: Difficult cold starts without starting fluid

They used to start model A's with a hand crank, too. It was easy when the engine was warmed up.

You can easily start a large, well tuned outboard with a rope or a few revolutions of the starter when it is warmed up. It is hard to do when cold, though.

 

[Lou Eppell]

Re: Difficult cold starts without starting fluid

Will spark jump 7/16 to 1/2" gap with spark plugs out? Does choke butterflys close? If yes, clean & rebuild carbs.