Choke?

[zippy83]

Fellow Boaters,

I think I have asked this question already but can?t seem to find the old post. When I want to turn on my outboard (74 Merc 50HP 2 stroke) I can do it differently in two ways.

1. when cold just push up the idle throttle 3/4 of the way up and turn the key, engine should turn on after 2-3 try?s
2. when cold just push up the idle throttle 3/4 of the way up then push the key in and turn once to the right, I hear a click come from the back of the motor, and then one more turn to the right turns the engine on.

The click that I hear from the back of the motor what is that? what does it do? Am I using it correctly? Is that a choke? there is no choke button on the controls. Also I thought Choke is designed to kill the engine not help it run? I?m just going from the meaning of the word "choke"


Thanks
Zipp

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Choke?

You have an unclear understanding of what the "choke" is or does. Carbureted engines when cold, need extra fuel in order to start properly. You "choke" and engine which closes a flap in the throat of the carburetor thus causing it draw more fuel into the engine while cranking. That flap is opened and closed by a solenoid which is the click you hear. That click should only be heard when you push in on the key and the key must HELD IN while cranking or it. It does no good to just push the key once. The other parts of your starting procedure are correct but you are not using the choke correctly. When the engine fires you let off the key and the choke releases. Be ready to push the key in again if the engine begins to die. Don't let the engine die -- just push in momentarily on the key (called bumping the choke). You can listen to the engine as it warms up to tell if it is going to die.

 

[zippy83]

Re: Choke?

When the engine fires you let off the key and the choke releases. Be ready to push the key in again if the engine begins to die. Don't let the engine die -- just push in momentarily on the key (called bumping the choke). You can listen to the engine as it warms up to tell if it is going to die.

I think I tried that When I hear that the engoine is about to turn off I would Push the key in and it would die right off the bet like I just turned it off.