Startup procedure

[WinnerCougar74]

I thought this might be an interesting and informative post. What do you do when starting your Chrysler outboard?

Here is what I do with my 1974 135hp.
1. Lower motor into the water.
2. Pump gas bulb until firm (if it's not to noisy you can hear that the gas stops filling the float bowl)
3. Pull button out of throttle/shift control
4. Move throttle forward about halfway.
5. Push and hold key in to activate choke (always nice when you hear the choke click)
6. Turn to start and hold there until motor starts (not more than 10 seconds so I don't overheat the starter)

The length of time that I have to hold in the start position is based on hold cold it is outside. After the motor warms up I usually just start it right up, no choking or increased throttle.

 

[Nordin]

This sounds like a good start up procedure.
Remember that OBs are different individuals, some engines need another start upp procedure.
My youngest son has a 85Hp Force 1988 and he do the same procedure almost always.
My rule of thumb is when warm do not use the choke at first.
If it does not want to fire up try a quick push at the choke.
You can try to start without choke when cold and see if it wants to fire up.
Using the choke is a risk to flood it.

 

[WinnerCougar74]

Great thanks. I recently replaced the ignition box, points, distributor button and spring, coil and plug wires. So far it doesn't seem to need as much choke. That would be great. Where I live I have many cold starts with outside air temps in the mid 40's and it really struggled before. Hopefully not anymore.

 

[puffitu]

I’ve always choked it for first try then just turn key the second time to start; well this is after a significant rebuild...like the post though

 

[jerryjerry05]

My twin 88 85 Force/Chrysler used just about the same
procedures, except it never started first try.
It would cough, sputter or backfire. Then I could just turn
the key and the motor would fire.
As the port motor got older, for some reason it was real
hard to start, one day I was trying to start it and forgot it
was tilted up. (would start with starting fluid but that was
a pain in the butt).
Then when I activated the choke and turned the key the
motor started and ran, after that that's the only way the
motor started

 

[puffitu]

The thing to watch is the lubricants; had an issue once that the plunger gummed up and wouldn’t function when I used the wrong lubricant -

 

[legalfee]

On my 1995 90hp the above procedures. If it doesn't crank by the third or fourth try then this: Throttle to wide open, remove cowl, spray starting fluid into the three carbs. Start motor.

 

[puffitu]

Trying to refrain from using starting fluid

 

[WinnerCougar74]

Thanks for the replies. These old motors don't come with owners manuals and the service manual doesn't seem to cover startup procedures so we really need to help each other out. I plan on starting my motor again this weekend. I will post the results. Just doesn't seem like these motors should be so hard to start the first time.