Starting problem

[fishyguy]

I have a 15hp, 4 stroke Honda with a pull start. I use the motor about once a week and it's difficult to start first thing in the morning. I do the usual stuff, squeeze the bulb till it's hard, pull out the choke and open the vent in the gas tank. The motor usually starts on the first or second pull, run for about 10 seconds, sputters and then dies. After that, it'll take a lot of pulls to start it up again, sometimes 20 or more. After that, though, it'll run smoothly all day, even at slow idle and if I turn it off, it'll start up easily. I use premium grade fuel and additive and also had the motor serviced a few weeks ago. After the service, the problem is not as bad as before when it took as long as an hour to start it up in the mornings. While it is sputtering, it seems that no fuel is getting in and I've even tried squeezing the bulb when it's sputtering. I ran into another person who had the same problem as I and he couldn't figure out the problem either. Anyone have an answer?

Thanks in advance

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Starting problem

what did the service include

 

[fishyguy]

Re: Starting problem

The service included new spark plugs, checked ignition system, clean and adjust carburetor, new fuel filter, change oil and lower end oil, replaced impeller.

Thanks

 

[eipeldau]

Re: Starting problem

Hello,
I have the 20hp model and pretty much the same problem. Mine has an electric choke, which makes things even more complicated. But the symptoms are just like yours. I can tell there's a shortage of fuel being supplied by partially covering the air intake, with my hand. The engine immediately responses positively. I do this until it warms up. After that, it works perfectly. I'm very interested in finding a reason for our problem.
Good luck!

 

[fishyguy]

Re: Starting problem

Epeldau,

I'm not sure I know where the air intake is. I'm sure I can figure it out by taking off the cover and examining it but I store my boat at the lake which is 125 miles from my home. Can you explain where the air intake is and how to partially cover it?

Thanks

 

[gss036]

Re: Starting problem

Take the drain screw out or loosen it enough to drain the foat bowl and then pump the primer bulb. Might just be some junk it it. Pretty common problem w/small Hondas.
If you are getting enough gas to start and then it takes an hour to restart it, I would suspect flooding in the problem (too much gas). If that is the case, make sure the float is set properly. A rebuild kit is nothing more than gaskets, it doesn't include the needle valve so make sure it is clean.
If you are running from a portable tank, use some SeaFoam mixed w/the gas. It will help keep things cleaned up as Honda has extremely small opening in the carb.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Starting problem

did u take it to a honda shop?

 

[eipeldau]

Re: Starting problem

Epeldau,

I'm not sure I know where the air intake is. I'm sure I can figure it out by taking off the cover and examining it but I store my boat at the lake which is 125 miles from my home. Can you explain where the air intake is and how to partially cover it?

Thanks

Hello Fishyguy,

The air intake is located right in front of the carburetor. It's a black cowling which has its opening on its bottom side. You can't have too large of a hand to reach it, though. Partially cover it(let air pass only through your fingers) and see how the engine reacts. Try obstructing most of the air. If it improves, the problem definitely is fuel starvation.
Let me know if I can help you any further!

Good luck!

 

[fishyguy]

Re: Starting problem

I tried something different this weekend after getting advice from a guy on another forum. Instead of squeezing the primer bulb till it's hard, I only pumped it a few times (about half as usual). Also, the choke was pulled out only half way instead of all the way out. It took about 6 pulls before it started and I assumed that's because there is less fuel in the carb and the choke is only halfway out. After it started, though, it kept running and didn't die. And the other thing I noticed was that it did not rev at a high speed as before and gradually lose rpm till it died. This time, it ran at a low speed and just kept running. My summation is that this motor floods easily so less fuel at start up and with the choke only half way out solved the problem.

Thanks for all the responses.