Will not start without spraying gas in carb

[Thorwon]

I bought a 82 Dynatrac 18 ft. boat with a 150 merc on it. It will not start without spraying gas in the carbs(yes I have pumped the fuel
bulb). Once it is started I can run any where, shut it off and fish all day, then it starts right up when I get ready to leave.
But if it's cold you can run the batteries (two BIG MARINE batteries) dead and it will not hit a lick. Once you spray it one time it starts
the rest of the day fine.
Any ideas? reeds? carbs?
I don't think it's the timing, it runs great once it's started.
I have never worked on a big 2 stroke before but I have repaired lots of small ones and many different types of 4 stroke engines.
But I can't figure this out.

 

[Don S]

Re: Will not start without spraying gas in carb

Does the Choke/primer work? Did you push the key in when starting? That activates the choke/primer.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Will not start without spraying gas in carb

Starting sequence is:

Level the engine

Squeeze the primer till firm

Shifter in N

Fast idle lever ALL THE WAY UP....keep your hand on it you'll need to cut the rpm's when it starts

Turn the key to RUN (first click cw) and depress it (Fuel enrichment function......works in place of a choke for the same reason....flood the engine with fuel

Hold in for 15 ish seconds

Rotate key to start while still holding key in

Engine should lite off in a matter of seconds. If not repeat process including bulb squeeze.

Obviously as soon as it lights off bring down the rpm's to around a couple thousand with the fast idle control.

If it coughs push in and hold the key till it recovers then release....do it as many times as it takes....usually 2 or 3 is adequate

After a couple of minutes or so, push the fast idle all the way down and go about your business.
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If your engine won't respond as I directed then your fuel enrichment solenoid may not be energizing. It should get 12V when you push in the key (in Run position) and via the pressure built up with the squeeze bulb it forces fuel directly into the carbs venturi.

Pay attention to wiring colors if you trouble shoot it. The wire colors are Yellow/Black (wire/stripe color) not Black/Yellow which is the engine stop wire for the ignition module. Don't get them mixed up. One supplies 12V to the enrichment solenoid the other grounds the ign module.

Quick easy test:

My ears are bad but if your's are ok, with the cowl removed, you should be able to hear the solenoid energize from the remote control box where you energize the switch. If you hear it energize ("click")it should be working.

Mark

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[Plainsman]

Re: Will not start without spraying gas in carb

Welcome to iboats!
Just a side not, never spray straight gas in there to get it started, be sure it as oil in too.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Will not start without spraying gas in carb

Next time you have it running and warmed up ..... push in on the ignition key or the choke button.If it doesn't stall I'd say the choke (or fuel enrichment system) isn't working.Outboards really don't start well with out a choke.

DHP

 

[emckelvy]

Re: Will not start without spraying gas in carb

He never did say whether it was an Inline Six or a V6.

I'm not assuming that it's a V6 just 'cause the boat's 1982.

Definitely helps to know which motor we're diagnosing.

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Will not start without spraying gas in carb

I have an '86 model V-6 150 on my boat. I almost never throttle up when starting. Use the enricher like everyone has mentioned. My outboard is the same; cold she won't start, warmed up, it pops off in a split-second.

When you have the key in the "on" position, push it in, you should hear a slight "click" from the motor, that is the enricher solenoid opening. If you don't hear that sound, then there is an issue with the wiring or the solenoid itself. It should be located on the starboard side of the motor, it will have a fuel line in and a fuel line out and on the bottom of the solenoid there is a little "button"; depressing this button does the same thing as actuating the solenoid, so if you don't hear the "click" when you depress your key then press that button for a few seconds, she should fire right up. If you are indeed having trouble with the solenoid, then it is something that is easily remedied by either repairing the wiring circuit, or replacement of the solenoid itself if that turns out to be the problem.

These motors like lots of fuel when they are cold.

 

[imported_JimmyMac]

Re: Will not start without spraying gas in carb

I had the same problem with a Johnson 115 hp, it turned out I had moved the solenoid for the choke and it was not fully engaging. My guess is you have a choke problem.

 

[snappernz]

Re: Will not start without spraying gas in carb

hope your spraying a 2 stroke mix into the carbs otherwise you will be doing damage to the motor

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Will not start without spraying gas in carb

I don't remember when Merc went from an actual choke to the fuel enrichment solenoid. I had an '89 tower with it. Started as I said.

Son just bought a '95 V 150 and the previous owner said it was hard to start. We start it as I said and have zero problems and starts first time.

I have a 90 3 cyl that starts just like this.

Sea Foam's Deep Creep spray is perfect for spraying if you must as it contains oil and was made for two cycle engines.....actually OMC outboards as the story goes, years ago.

Even if you have actual chokes as DHP said, outboards like the gas to get "up in the morning".

If you use your rig daily then you probably can skip the fast idle part as the fuel hasn't had time to drain out and evaporate from everything.

Mark