General question about starting

[grooveman]

I bought an older 76 bowrider with a 66 merc 4cyl 65hp. I took it out yesterday and much to my relief she ran pretty well. My question is about the controls. There is a black button to hold down while starting. Is this a choke? Does it need to be held down every time I start it or only when its cold? Also, the starting lever, what position does it typically need to be in for starting hot or cold? Thanks much

 

[sas]

Re: General question about starting

I have a 1975 65 hp. The black rubber "thing" is the choke. Yes, when you are starting cold you should put choke on. In theory, the "little lever" should be advanced all the way forward when starting cold. Start to learn about your motor and see how it starts. Some like the lever all the way, like mine, it only likes it 3/4 way advanced.<br /><br />Good Luck.

 

[sas]

Re: General question about starting

I have a 1975 65 hp. The black rubber "thing" is the choke. Yes, when you are starting cold you should put choke on. In theory, the "little lever" should be advanced all the way forward when starting cold. Start to learn about your motor and see how it starts. Some like the lever all the way, like mine, it only likes it 3/4 way advanced.<br /><br />Good Luck.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: General question about starting

Thunderfed,<br /> Every motor has different little quirks, but in general the choke must be depressed and held in the on position during startup when "cold". Cold may refer to not having been run in a month, week or an hour. You may have to "tickle" it a bit while the motor warms up, until the motor loses its tendancy to stall out.<br /> I've seen many operators push and release the button then try to start the motor - then curse the motor when it fails to start. The choke butterflies in the motor are only closed when the button is pushed - they're spring loaded to re-open when the button is released...<br /><br />= Scott

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: General question about starting

Somewhere near (usually above) the carbs, there is an electric choke solonoid.When the ignition is on and the button pressed, you should hear a "click". The solonoid fully closes the choke butterfies and activates the choke. The small black lever is only used for starting in neutral and is usually lifted to vertical. Once running, you release the black button and as it warms, you can ease the lever right back down. Normally, you don't need the choke when it's been running and then switched off. Mine usually just fires up with a turn of the key. But the worst thing that can happen if you use the choke when it's warm is you will flood it. And after the excess fuel subsides (a few minutes) it'll start and grumble a bit until the exess fuel is burnt.