Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

[jmhaboustak]

I was about to give up on my 1974 Johnson 9.9 HP manual start outboard.

New points and condensors. Checked spark. Good on both cylinders.

Cleaned carburator. Gas in float bowl.

Judging by the effort required to pull the starter cord, it seemed to have compression.

However, the spark plugs looked dry after trying to start.

I considered pulling the power head and checking the leaf valves, but I really didn't want to go this far.

After almost giving up, decided to connect my Kirby vacuum cleaner to the exhaust (center of propeller) and supercharge my outboard.

This is no joke. The starter cord was significantly easier to pull and after half a dozen pulls, the motor started firing.

I stopped the motor, disconnected the vacuum cleaner and put the motor in a tub of water. Outboard runs fine.

Maybe some mice built a nest in the exhaust over the winter. Don't know. But I had to post this one.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

OK.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

Better than finding a wasp nest in there.....I had mud daubers in my carb once. They "glued" the choke plate down...

 

[ezeke]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

It would not have been amusing if the gas fumes had reached the motor on the vacuum.

 

[Rick.]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

Don't try starting it in gear. Too funny but what ever works. Rick.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

Now ...about that buzzing noise coming from the vacuum cleaner..

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

Whatever floats your boat.

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

JmHaubostack,
That is toooo funny, LOL. Never heard of cranking your outboard with a Kirby vacuum cleaner. The funny thing is that I just bought a Kirby Vacuum cleaner about 1 month ago and I am pretty happy with it. Next time my outboard doesn't start I will try the Kirby vacuum thing, LOL. Too funny. Take care, Bob

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

For the price of a Kirby you could most likely replace the outboard !!!

Do you think it would work with a Dyson ??? LOL

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

Yeah, the guy that sold me the Kirby wanted $2,100.00 for it but I wasn't going to pay for it so he we talked and I ended up getting it for 1,400.00 but yes, you are right I could get a pretty nice outboard with what I paid for the Kirby but I also like my home clean so hopefully I can use that as a right-off on my 2009 taxes, hopefully.

 

[5150abf]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

I hate to say it but that sounds like something I would do.

Your inginuity is commendable.

 

[Rick.]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

So......How would you hook up a dehumidifier on a 9.9 lower cylinder? Any specific brand? LOL Rick.

 

[JB]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

Did Bubba hold your beer and watch while you did that?

 

[bigred69]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

Geterdone!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[tin knocker]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

Make sure your insurance is current. A friend of mine was in the habit of using a tank type vacume cleaner with the hose on the blowing end to boost his campfire. One evening he accidently attached it to the suction side. The unburned gases from the smoldering fire blew the vacume to bits and left them sitting stuned in a cloud of dust with ringing ears. Luckily no one was hit with any pieces. I hate to think of what gasolene would do. On the bright side it could win you a Darwin award.

Rollie

 

[mchin]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

wow the things you see and read on this board. I guess the suction, pulled the gas though the system and the mix was just right. I might try it, but would be worried about the gas fumes building up in the vac, and then with the spark of the motor... BOOM. Maybe I'll just stick with using the choke.

 

[FBPirate95]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

And this my friends......its why the Darwin Awards were created.

 

[Willyclay]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

Sounds easier than TD's decarb procedure but SeaFoam is still cheaper than a Kirby!

 

[etex driller]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

My question is what do you do if it won't crank while on the lake?maybe invest in a 12 volt wet dry vac. LOL

 

[sodak]

Re: Start Your Outboard with a Vacuum Cleaner

This does work. I had a Merc 9.9 with a stuck float not letting fuel flow, I hooked up the shop-vac and pulled the motor over a few times with the ignition off. Then I disconnected the vac and hit the key she started and ran fine. Whatever gets it running without tearing it down.