Takes awhile for the Evinrude to Idle when cold

[dubnvento]

I have a 1987 Evinrude SPL that's on my 1965 Larson Runabout with electric start and steering controls at the helm. My problem is this, I have trouble starting the engine when cold. I can turn the key and hold it in for eight seconds to activate the choke like members on this site have suggested and it will start and die and I can keep doing this and it takes about six or seven turns of the key to get the motor to the point where it will idle and not die. There is no problem while it is running. I had a mechanic replace the gear oil, adjust the idle and replace the spark plugs which were the wrong kind. I have a couple of thoughts that I wanted to run by you guys. Do you think if I replace the spark plugs with ones that run colder that this would help it out? Or adjust the idle to the point where it will stay idleing? Any help would be appreciated.

 

[iwombat]

Re: Takes awhile for the Evinrude to Idle when cold

You make no mention of using the fast idle lever, or whatever the equivalent on your control box is. You should be fast-idling for a little bit until the motor warms up.

 

[dubnvento]

Re: Takes awhile for the Evinrude to Idle when cold

I'm not techniacally knowledgeable. Do you mean the feathering the throttle? I do pull the throttle out and push it foward a little bit so that I'm giving the motor gas while in netural. Is the fast Idle different? Thanks

 

[iwombat]

Re: Takes awhile for the Evinrude to Idle when cold

That's your box's equivalent of the fast idle lever - some had a separate lever for that. I think you probably just need to get in the habit of giving it a little more throttle during cold start, and bumping the key in a little to keep choke on until fast-idle holds its own.

On mine, i put the fast-idle lever about 3/4, start with the key pressed in. When i turn the key back i let it out and usually end up pushing in and letting out about 3 more times before it'll hold its own. I give it a quick check of the tell-tale to verify the water pump is going, and about 5 minutes later the fast-idle goes all the way down after all the dock lines are untied.

 

[F_R]

Re: Takes awhile for the Evinrude to Idle when cold

listen to what iwombat said. Put it on fast idle, hold the key in while cranking and momentarily push it in as required to keep it running till it warms up a bit.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Takes awhile for the Evinrude to Idle when cold

just sold an 88 88spl, listen to what the said, did what they told you never had a problem.