Suzuki DT 115 hard starting

[IBMUDD]

I have a 83' Suzuki DT 115 outboard. The thing is a pig to start. I have new plugs, new fuel line, linkage works great, choke works greats, great spark, fuel to the plugs, everything that I need! I can crank it for 20 minutes without it firing. Someone suggested a shot of carb cleaner in the intake area. Did that and she fired right up. Ok, now I can start the motor, but what is the problem and how do I fix it?

 

[DJ]

Re: Suzuki DT 115 hard starting

IBMUDD,<br /><br />First off, starting fluid (ether) is BAD for 2-stroke outboards. It washes down the cylinders.<br /><br />Second, you are probably not getting fuel when cranking the engine.<br /><br />1. The primer bulb should remain hard while cranking.<br /><br />2. If it does, it's probably your fuel pump.

 

[IBMUDD]

Re: Suzuki DT 115 hard starting

Thanks DJohns. I have a few other questions tho. Once the motor starts, it runs great! When it is warm, it re-fires without missing a beat. Last year when I had problems starting it, it would ONLY start when it was trimmed completely out of the water. This year, it won't even do that. I have had to prime it (gas thru the plug hole). Does this still sound like a fuel pump? If so, I will get one ordered today and see what happens.<br /><br />Thanks again.<br /><br />Mudd

 

[audiodoode]

Re: Suzuki DT 115 hard starting

Howdy I.B.<br />I have an 88 DT115 that has the same problem.<br />Last saturday, I may have found something that works. I pulled the throttle to the max to start it. This worked after I tried everything else and after draining my starting battery, then half-draining my 2 trolling motor batteries after wiring them parralell. I only seem to have this problem on frosty cold mornings, and last saturday, it was 18 degrees when I got there. So pull the throttle wide open right off the bat. I hate to hear it rev that high on initial start, but it beats draing the batteries until I can find out something else.