Inside cover of '86 Johnson 175 is a red lever. What is it? Seems to help it start.

[scooper77515]

Not my boat, my parents in Yuma. Just bought it, and no owner manual, so...

Doesn't cold-start easily. Dad found that by moving this red lever, it will start, but he has to take the cover off the engine to get to it.

What is it, and is it actuated by something at the helm as well?

 

[Daviet]

Re: Inside cover of '86 Johnson 175 is a red lever. What is it? Seems to help it star

That is the manual lever for your choke solenoid. With the lever in the position in the picture, you should be able to push IN on the key switch to activate it. When you move it 180 degrees, it turns into a manual valve letting fuel into the carbs. You should be able to here it click with the key ON and pushing the key IN.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Inside cover of '86 Johnson 175 is a red lever. What is it? Seems to help it star

^^ sort of . . .

It's the manual lever to the _primer_ solenoid. Unlike a choke, this squirts fuel into the intake manifold behind the carbs. Same idea, different mechanics.

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Inside cover of '86 Johnson 175 is a red lever. What is it? Seems to help it star

OK, I prefer priming setups myself. Use my Maverick and Glastron with primer. And my old seadoos.

So, shouldn't there be a way to prime it from the helm, without having to take off the cover?

Here is a pic of the controls up front.

 

[Will Bark]

Re: Inside cover of '86 Johnson 175 is a red lever. What is it? Seems to help it star

With the red lever in the horizontal position you should be able to turn the ignition switch ON and then push the key IN and hear a click under the cowl hold the key in and turn it to start with your little black warm up lever up. It should start.

 

[hidef]

Re: Inside cover of '86 Johnson 175 is a red lever. What is it? Seems to help it star

After it starts you can push the key in to give the engine an additional shot of fuel if it needs it until the engine warms up completely

 

[scooper77515]

Re: Inside cover of '86 Johnson 175 is a red lever. What is it? Seems to help it star

OK, he is trying it and it seems to be the way to make it work.

Thanks a bunch guys!