Hard to start Evinrude

[dfrants]

got a 1977 85hp Evinrude That doesn't want to start first off in the day. if I remove the air box cover and spray a little starting fluid in the carbs it will fire right up and run fine. once it's "warmed up" it will start easy. just that first cold start is the problem, I can turn it over and over and it won't fire. ive made sure to squeeze the primer bulb till firm and the choke does work good. The carbs were cleaned and the fuel pump replaced last summer. any ideas?

 

[sutor623]

Are you advancing the throttle to 2000rpms or so?

 

[racerone]

Do this test.------Manually hold choke flappers closed and see if it starts better.-------And when you operate the throttle only lever does the timer base rotate slightly, yes or no ?

 

[dfrants]

tried the manual choke...didn't help. timer base does rotate slightly. Talked to the previous owner, he said as long as he had it, it always was "cold blooded".

 

[ondarvr]

Check the compression, hard starting, especially when cold, can be caused by low compression.

 

[racerone]

Sorry, no such thing as a motor in " good condition " that is hard to start.

 

[dthx]

"Cold Blooded".....I'm laughing.....no offense.....that's a great one.
It's the little things in life that makes it worthwhile, isn't it.

 

[dfrants]

just did a compression test. #125-#127 psi in each cylinder.

 

[ondarvr]

You said you tried the manual choke, but did you manually hold the choke closed? They can close completely, but when the motor turns over they can open and become less affective. The spring becomes weak and won't hold them shut.

 

[racerone]

Do throttle plates open slightly when you advance the warm-up lever ?----And for me the simple solution would be to install an electric primer as used on all V-4 motors starting in about 1980.-----Like an electricaly operated spray bottle.-----Your hard starting will be history with that installed on your motor !

 

[dfrants]

electric primer may be the answer. found that it will start right up if I squeeze the primer bulb as i'm turning the key. replaced fuel pump, didn't help. thinking its the pulse hose/connection??? could it be plugged? the hose looks fine but who knows? may just install an electric fuel pump and see how that goes.

 

[racerone]

The electric primer on OMC motors is not a pump.----It is an electric valve that opens when 12 volts is applied.

 

[jakedaawg]

Have you checked for weak spark?

 

[ondarvr]

electric primer may be the answer. found that it will start right up if I squeeze the primer bulb as i'm turning the key. replaced fuel pump, didn't help. thinking its the pulse hose/connection??? could it be plugged? the hose looks fine but who knows? may just install an electric fuel pump and see how that goes.

A plugged or faulty pulse hose is easy it identity and fix, but probably not it, and don't bother with an electric fuel pump, fixing the current problem will be be much easier and cost less. The primer valve can work well, you can get one eBay. I have an old crossflow that is very easy to start cold, almost scary it starts so well, and it has the choke just like yours.

 

[dfrants]

I'm stumped...tested for spark, set tester at 3/8". got a blue snap on all four cylinders. checked fuel pump, its working. Just can't think what else it could be...

 

[ondarvr]

Did you check the choke by holding the plates closed manually and watching them to make sure they stay closed when cranking?

 

[dfrants]

Yup. tried that too. still not any better. even bought a brand new starting battery. Once I got it started, took her for a ride. runs great. goes 40mph on a 16' StarCraft openbow, idles/trolls without dying. starts right up once she's warmed up.

 

[ondarvr]

Sounds like you need to add a primer system.

 

[emdsapmgr]

All of these crossflows are a bear to start cold, when the fuel primer (choke) system is not working correctly. Or, if the key switch is not pushed in (to activate the choke.) When you push the key start switch in, do the choke butterflys close completely?

 

[racerone]

This motor did not have the primer system--------A very good candidate for a retrofit.------And crossflow motors in " good condition " are never hard to start when cold !