Plunge Choke etc

bigb56

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Jan 26, 2013
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My son and I have a 70's Evinrude 35 (2 cycle) that we have used for years with very little issue. To start we would simply pull out the choke, crank till it starts then gradually push the choke back in as it warmed up. Last year we started to have some issues where the motor would falter and die and we did not have time to work on it ourselves so he took it somewhere. The guy rebuilt the carb but he also told my son it has a plunge choke and we haven't been using it properly which I do not understand what he is talking about, it worked beautifully for years. He also said we had it adjusted too rich (we had rebuilt the carb ourselves about 5 years ago and it ran great till last year) and he leaned it up, now we can't run at full throttle as it starts to act like it is starving for fuel. I also have my doubts about the guy as he also told my son we need to drain the deep cycle battery all the way down to nothing once in a while then recharge which I know is BS and a good way to ruin a lead acid battery.
My main question is what is the proper way to operate a plunge choke?
 

Crosbyman

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assuming a 1976 35hp electric start model


plunge... as in electric choke activated by a plunger in a selenoid ??

pull the cover & try a shot of wd40 or release agent on the " plunger " it should plunge easy and return with the spring when activated with a push on the start key or button... whatever it is ?

options... carb job or try a good engine cleaner product as a start it may wake up...may
 

Vic.S

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My son and I have a 70's Evinrude 35 (2 cycle) that we have used for years with very little issue. To start we would simply pull out the choke, crank till it starts then gradually push the choke back in as it warmed up.
This appears to describe the use of a manual choke.
Electric start models usually have a solenoid operated ordinary flap type of choke while rope start models have the same type of choke operated manually
My main question is what is the proper way to operate a plunge choke?
Id assume by "plunge" choke the " guy " who rebuilt the carb meant a manually operated primer pump ( a plunger pump ?)
This type of thing;

A model number might help to identify what you have.
 
Last edited:

Crosbyman

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figured that deep cycle battery was also used as a start battery ... like mine

but true ....likley it is a manual start/choke

engine mdl not specified as I recall some outboards have dual operation chokes but...whatever if it is just a manual choke then it is simpler :)
 

bigb56

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I'll be over at my son's Wed and will get model number. Tried to find some of my old posts as they contained all that info but can't figure out how to find them
edit: figured out how to find past postings, the motor is actually a 1989 30HP, will look for model # and take pics Wed
 

Vic.S

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I'll be over at my son's Wed and will get model number. Tried to find some of my old posts as they contained all that info but can't figure out how to find them
edit: figured out how to find past postings, the motor is actually a 1989 30HP, will look for model # and take pics Wed
The parts lists show a manual primer pump for 1989 models, similar to the one in my previous post but don't list an electric start model . Maybe not original.

On the engine FAQs board there are instructions for starting with various choke/primer systems. For the manual primer pump the instructions read

The manual primer operates as both a fuel injector and an enriching device. The fuel injector operates w/o air being drawn through the motor. The enriching device is an alternate path from the carburettor to draw fuel through the primer and add more fuel during cold-start.

Put motor in neutral
Place the throttle in the start position.
Cycle through one or two full pull-push operations on the primer knob. This will squirts fuel into the intake manifold.
Pull out primer knob one half-to full out. This will engage the cold-start enricher circuit.
Pull the starter rope, or press start button until the engine starts.
As the engine begins to run, slowly slide the primer knob in. The rate of choke disengagement will vary greatly with each individual outboard. Some require immediate disengagement, others require slow disengagement. Know your outboard.
Visually inspect tell-tale for solid stream indicating proper cooling.
As the choke is disengaged and the motor warms up, slowly back the throttle off from start to the shift position.​

Dont over do the initial pumping or you will flood it
 

ahicks

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Model number really not necessary. If it has a conventional butterfly type choke you weren't doing anything wrong. Keep at it.

As far as you having it adjusted rich, as long as you don't get too carried away, you likely weren't doing anything wrong there either. Rich settings make for easier starts and friendlier handling from my experience. He may not have liked where I like to run them either....

And then there's the saying "rich engines don't quit".

I say move on. Ignore the advice you were given....
 
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