Does EFI solve the hard start/cranking issue?

[undercover500]

We're getting our new boat tomorrow, has a 2021-22 Mercury PRO XS 115 on it. We've only ever had carbed two stroke boat engines before this, and you know what I'm talking about...sit and crank. Sometimes it might start second pull, sometimes it takes a while.

Assuming there's no fuel related issues (no fuel, clogged filter, etc.) or a dead or low battery, should a new EFI engine start first time, every time?

 

[tpenfield]

Maybe . . . EFI does tend to start better, until it doesn’t

 

[undercover500]

Maybe . . . EFI does tend to start better, until it doesn’t

I figured that, should start fine until there's an issue, then it won't

 

[racerone]

Most outboards in good condition start right up if correct procedure is used.-----But yes modern 4 stroke motors start right up with the computer doing all the thinking.----Operator just needs to turn the key.

 

[JimS123]

I live in the north. My boats are idle ~6 months of the year. In olden days I used to pull out the hose and muffs and start her up in the driveway before heading to the launch ramp. Just to be sure. Now with EFI and 4-stroke, I simply put her in the water and even sitting all Winter she starts up in a fraction of a second.

I am totally sold on EFI.

 

[racerone]

Yes I agree it is great stuff.-----But should something go wrong the repair bills ad up quickly.----And spare parts will be an issue with these specialized parts.-----Not an issue for folks who simply buy a new motor every 5 years or so.

 

[JimS123]

Yes I agree it is great stuff.-----But should something go wrong the repair bills ad up quickly.----And spare parts will be an issue with these specialized parts.-----Not an issue for folks who simply buy a new motor every 5 years or so.

You're right. But as an old buddy said often: "I didn't buy a boat to save money".

I believe in general, the EFIs run longer before repairs are needed. In the interim, not much to do. Remember points and plugs?

But of course, anything can go wrong. In the olden days, it may have been a cheap fix, but how many shops are still around that are willing to work on them?

For my cars, I have not changed a spark plug or a muffler, or had a tune-up in 30 or 40 years. Gotta embrace new technology.

 

[ahicks]

I live in the north. My boats are idle ~6 months of the year. In olden days I used to pull out the hose and muffs and start her up in the driveway before heading to the launch ramp. Just to be sure. Now with EFI and 4-stroke, I simply put her in the water and even sitting all Winter she starts up in a fraction of a second.

I am totally sold on EFI.

Me too, but from a DIY standpoint, you haven't experienced anything until you've experienced a fuel injected 4 stroke that's behaving badly. I'm the guy that enjoys "project" Honda's, for the challenge - the guy that gets the motors when they "just won't run right".

Same motor with carbs WAY WAY easier to diagnose and repair, don't have all the fancy BS to sort through when something's not right.

 

[JimS123]

Me too, but from a DIY standpoint, you haven't experienced anything until you've experienced a fuel injected 4 stroke that's behaving badly. I'm the guy that enjoys "project" Honda's, for the challenge - the guy that gets the motors when they "just won't run right".

Same motor with carbs WAY WAY easier to diagnose and repair, don't have all the fancy BS to sort through when something's not right.

I agree. But I left the DIY world when I retired.

I have a bunch of oldies that i tinker with and run on hot Summer days, or out to the antique show. But when I HAVE to go fishing or take the family out for a Sunday cruise, I'll stick with the new stuff.

If there is an issue, my local dealer is a Master Merc mechanic.

 

[ahicks]

Retired here too. I think I just love torturing myself with these. Not really in it for the money, but the extra "mad" money provided never hurt anyone to my knowledge.

The motors I get have usually been labeled "too expensive to fix", often by "master" mechanics too busy to mess with them. I do 3-5 of these a year, ALL in the 40-90hp range, and only Honda's (nobody else wants to work on them). Bigger motors are too big to handle easily, and there's no money in the smaller ones. I fix what was wrong originally (whatever that takes) and then give them a solid refurb so they can be put back into service with confidence. Incredibly easy to sell..... -Al

 

[Texasmark]

My boats sit for months at a time making fast initial starting a toss of a coin. Last year I installed an electric fuel pump proceeding my 2 stroke, carbed engine and it has helped my initial start after sitting come more quickly.

On EFI you get the good with the bad... No doubt it's faster but if it breaks its harder and more expensive to fix due to many more parts.

 

[jimmbo]

We're getting our new boat tomorrow, has a 2021-22 Mercury PRO XS 115 on it. We've only ever had carbed two stroke boat engines before this, and you know what I'm talking about...sit and crank. Sometimes it might start second pull, sometimes it takes a while.

Assuming there's no fuel related issues (no fuel, clogged filter, etc.) or a dead or low battery, should a new EFI engine start first time, every time?

Does your FI car start instantly? I do enjoy watching people, used to FI, try and start a non-TKS carbed Boat. They will grind on the Starter forever, when a Slight Movement of the Throttle will set the Choke, and squirt a bit of gas into the Intake as a Prime. My Carbed I/O gets the choke set and next to no Prime, and it fires up within 3 seconds.

 

[ahicks]

We're getting our new boat tomorrow, has a 2021-22 Mercury PRO XS 115 on it. We've only ever had carbed two stroke boat engines before this, and you know what I'm talking about...sit and crank. Sometimes it might start second pull, sometimes it takes a while.

Assuming there's no fuel related issues (no fuel, clogged filter, etc.) or a dead or low battery, should a new EFI engine start first time, every time?

Yes, until it doesn't...... ;<)

 

[Lou C]

Never had a 2 stroke outboard but my carbed 2 stroke yard engines (all 5 of them) all start up on the 2nd or 3rd pull. My carbed 4.3 I/O usually starts on the first or 2nd crank on a cold start, warm starts like a half a revolution of the crank...
I do agree that EFI makes for fuss free use, but when things go wrong the costs mount up and when things get old parts availability becomes a problem in some cases.

 

[Blorton]

Funny timing. I just had the fuel pressure regulator go out on a 20 year old motorcycle that is efi. New part still available and fixed it right up.

 

[JimS123]

In the last 54 years I have had many 2-strokes. Yeah, they start up OK and run OK, as long as you maintain the points and keep the carb clean and run them reasonably frequently. The advent of electronic ignition, and the elimination of points, was a big step forward. The key is PMs, whether you do it yourself or pay someone.

The "problem" is that today you MUST do it yourself, because the mechanics that are competent, or more importantly, willing to work on them are far and few between.

OK, regardless, they are cheap to fix, while a 4-stroke EFI is expensive to fix and you need a puter program to do it.

In all my years of experience, I have had occasional problems with the old stuff, and always resolved them, but the new technology has yet to let me down.

They run smoother, quieter, no smell and start instantly. Personally, I don't care if a repair costs me megabucks. In the meantime I'll enjoy the technology.

 

[matt167]

I replaced a 1966 Johnson RD 28 which had a simple enough starting procedure. 1/4 throttle. Hit choke button and turn over for a couple rotations until it started.

However I replaced it with a new 4 stroke 25hp Suzuki which is even easier. Turn key. Wait for beep to clear. Turn to start. Watch tach to make sure it's actually running. I'm sold on 4 stroke EFI

 

[JimS123]

Watch tach to make sure it's actually running.

That was the problem I had first time out. As I was approaching the dock and put her in neutral I started to cuss because it stalled. Turned out the tach was still running and it was still peeing.

Just expected behavior. I once had an Evinrude selectric shift and it would stall way too often.

 

[matt167]

That was the problem I had first time out. As I was approaching the dock and put her in neutral I started to cuss because it stalled. Turned out the tach was still running and it was still peeing.

Just expected behavior. I once had an Evinrude selectric shift and it would stall way too often.

I can't hear my 25hp zuki at idle from the helm. The tach is the only way to know it's running aside from looking back at it

 

[jimmbo]

That was the problem I had first time out. As I was approaching the dock and put her in neutral I started to cuss because it stalled. Turned out the tach was still running and it was still peeing.

Just expected behavior. I once had an Evinrude selectric shift and it would stall way too often.

Electric, or Hydro-Electric? Evinrude called both Selectric