88HP johnson hard cold starting

[Old No 7]

I have a 1989 88HP johnson. that I have to crank at least 5-10 times to get it started. It will kick over and stall 2-3 times during that period. once it starts its fine. Even later in the day it fires right up. this only seems to happen when it sits a few days.<br /><br />I have had the carbs and fuel pump rebuilt, made sure the gas mixture is perfect, gas tank is clean, gas filter is new. new wires and plugs.<br /><br />The ignition is a "push to choke" type. <br /><br />To start, I pump the bulb until it's hard, usually takes 5 or so pumps. I put the throttle up past neutral until it gets harder to push up.<br /><br />when the motor does fire up and stay running, the idle is low, and then gets faster, I slowly bring the throttle back down. After about 3 minutes i can put it in the neutral position and it idles just fine.<br /><br />The starter always cranks fast, and the battery is new.<br /><br />This is my first boat. Am I starting it right? is this normal for this motor? the boat next to mine at the dock has an older Evinrude that seems to start by barely touching the key. Is there something else I should look at?<br /><br />Thanks!!

 

[CATransplant]

Re: 88HP johnson hard cold starting

Are you holding the key in as you crank? When it fires, are you releasing the key?<br /><br />If the second is true, then try pushing the key in momentarily when the engine tries to stall.<br /><br />I'm not sure about that 89, but some engines don't have a choke, per se. They have an enrichment pump. The drill for some of those is to push the key in and hold for several seconds, then release and crank.<br /><br />Sounds like your engine is running fine, overall. You just haven't figured out the starting drill yet. Keep working with it.<br /><br />Also, you may just be using too much throttle there. That can make an engine hard to start, too.<br /><br />Does your control set have a "warm-up" lever? If so, use that instead of the main throttle for starting.<br /><br />You'll get it.<br /><br />As for the guys with the older Evinrudes...well, that's just one of the benefits of owning the old-timers. They start really easily when they're set up right. You just described how my '58 35 hp starts. Just a touch of the key, cold or hot. It's nice....

 

[sycamore]

Re: 88HP johnson hard cold starting

My 1988 88hp starts and runs identical to yours, I have not found anything obviously wrong. I've had it a year and have not discovered the perfect starting routine, other than to make sure it has gas when cold and not to prime to much when warm. I think they all have their own personalities.

 

[Old No 7]

Re: 88HP johnson hard cold starting

I used the boat quite a bit this weekend. I did some checking and I do have a pump instead of the choke. I did what CA TRansplant said and pressed it in for a few seconds, and then tried to start it. It kicked over immediately, and stayed running. I did not have an issue all weekend.<br /><br />Thanks for your help!!!