Cold starting 2 cycle engine

luckyc1423

Cadet
Joined
Jul 27, 2012
Messages
7
I have a very very dumb question. I just want to make sure im cold starting my engine properly.

I have a 2004 triton bass boat with a mercury 150 2 cycle engine. I know how to start the engine by pushing the key in to prime it. the question is when do i start the engine to warm it up?

Typically what I do is get to the boat ramp and unhook all my straps. I have a buddy back me down in the water and push me off. So I never try to start my engine until I am fully in the water floating. This is scary sometimes because my 2 stroke engine can be very difficult to start when cold and I have no idea how I would get it back on the trailer if it would not start.

I am suppose to start the engine while on land to warm it up and use some type of water hose to keep it cool? are you suppose to barely back in the boat and start the engine while still on the trailer? If so, how much of the engine needs to be in the water?

If someone could go over detailed description of the proper way to cold start a 2 cycle engine and were to start it htat would be great. I dont want to be stranded on the water and the engine decide not to start. Because it can take up to 5-10 minutes to start sometimes. I am headed to the lake tomorrow and I have not started the engine in 6 weeks. (I have been gone traveling). SO I know it will be very difficult to start.
 

luckyc1423

Cadet
Joined
Jul 27, 2012
Messages
7
Re: Cold starting 2 cycle engine

Do you know how to use a set of these?? http://www.amazon.com/Moeller-Flush...F8&qid=1343416658&sr=8-1&keywords=boats+muffs

I always start and bring the engine up to temp at home before launching it. The motor will stay relatively warm for quite a while making it easier to start once you are actually in the lake.

no I am not 100% sure. I grew up around jet skis and I know how jet skis work. I know alittle bit about 2 cycle engines but I just want to make sure I dont do something wrong.

I know with jet skis you can hook a hose up to them, start the engine, then turn the water on. However I have never used the approach to get the engine hot. I usually just started my skis in the water. But they are light and could easkily be pushed back on the trailer.
 

louiefl

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 11, 2012
Messages
119
Re: Cold starting 2 cycle engine

The first time I tried to start my 1995 Johnson 88 spl outboard it took several minutes and was worried there was something wrong. For me, the routine is to pump the primer bulb until hard, lift the fast idle about a 1/4 of the way, push in the key for 5 seconds and then start. It will catch in 5 seconds or less. I will then slowly lower the fast idle lever until it idles on its own.

Do you have a fast idle lever? On mine, you push in a button near the remote and advance the lever (it does not engage the lower unit). On others, the is a separate lever that needs to be lifted. Without raising the fast idle lever, it can be near impossible to start.

You should never run without cooling water. Get a set of flushing muffs and learn where they go on the outboard. Turn on the hose on and then start at home. This way your engine will be warm and start easier when you get to the ramp and you won't waste the trip there if a problem pops up.

Also, you shouldn't have to power load a bass boat on the trailer, you should be able to back it far enough down the ramp and winch it up with the engine off.
 

TTavenier3

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 18, 2012
Messages
105
Re: Cold starting 2 cycle engine

if i were you i would purchase some water ears. they attach to your garden hose and you put them over the inlet on the lower unit. the breathing fins or holes. another thing you can do is buy a garbage can 35 gallon or something and fill it with water. put the lower unit in there and start it at home that way you no fo rsure its gonna start. if thats an inconvience for you then just go to the dock. use your best judgment on this, you dont want to hog a dock for a long time but then again if you get out in the water and it wont start how long will it take for you to recover your boat... probley longer than you unstraping backing to the the ramp and starting your motor befor you take off. i say if the docks not over loaded with people waiting go ahead and take your time. if its packed maybe you should wait or you just ahve to take your chances with hopping it starts. i always start my motor at home in a cut out 55 gallon drum that way i know everything is ok and running good. i usually run my motor for 5 to 10 minutes in the drum befor going to the docks. always better to be prepared than get stranded somewhere
 

luckyc1423

Cadet
Joined
Jul 27, 2012
Messages
7
Re: Cold starting 2 cycle engine

if i were you i would purchase some water ears. they attach to your garden hose and you put them over the inlet on the lower unit. the breathing fins or holes. another thing you can do is buy a garbage can 35 gallon or something and fill it with water. put the lower unit in there and start it at home that way you no fo rsure its gonna start. if thats an inconvience for you then just go to the dock. use your best judgment on this, you dont want to hog a dock for a long time but then again if you get out in the water and it wont start how long will it take for you to recover your boat... probley longer than you unstraping backing to the the ramp and starting your motor befor you take off. i say if the docks not over loaded with people waiting go ahead and take your time. if its packed maybe you should wait or you just ahve to take your chances with hopping it starts. i always start my motor at home in a cut out 55 gallon drum that way i know everything is ok and running good. i usually run my motor for 5 to 10 minutes in the drum befor going to the docks. always better to be prepared than get stranded somewhere

the boat is at my lake house and the community has its own boat ramp so overload is rarely an issue. so what your saying, back down just alittle bit. tilt my engine down to were just the blades are in the water and start the engine?

all i need is the blades in the water to keep the engine cool? or were does the water come in at to keep the engine cool? I guess thats my main question. because i dont want to start the engine without it having water.
 

JoLin

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 18, 2007
Messages
5,146
Re: Cold starting 2 cycle engine

Do you have a fast idle lever? On mine, you push in a button near the remote and advance the lever (it does not engage the lower unit). On others, the is a separate lever that needs to be lifted. Without raising the fast idle lever, it can be near impossible to start.

You should never run without cooling water. Get a set of flushing muffs and learn where they go on the outboard. Turn on the hose on and then start at home.

You didn't answer louie's question- do you have a fast idle lever? My '96 Johnson 175 was cold-blooded. I always needed to use the fast idle lever for a cold start. Then it would kick over right away. If you don't know, get an owner's manual, or have a tech show you how to use that motor. It should not take several minutes to start it. Either there's something wrong with the motor, or you aren't using it correctly.

I'd also buy and use a pair of muffs before leaving home. If you have a problem, it's better to find out at home instead of when you're bobbing around in the water.

My .02
 

TTavenier3

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 18, 2012
Messages
105
Re: Cold starting 2 cycle engine

boat-motor-2-stroke-out-board-motor-70-hp-172607.jpg
you see the little holes right behing the prop and the fins above half way up the motor. both of them need to be in the water. your boat may only have the holes not sure of your boat or motor. but the goal it for those holes to be in the water. there is a water pump half way up the final drive that sucks water up through those holes and runs the water through your motor then out the **** hole to cool the motor. you will know weather there is water going through the motor or not. most if not all 2 cycle engines have a pisser that pushes water out the motor somewhere. your boat will almost be floating. its better the buy the muffs or ears instead. much simpler and if you cant get it started you did just spend a long time driving to the dock for nothing. the other member is correct though it should not take your motor that long to start. check fuel filter, check spark plugs, if they have never been changed or its been a few season since they have been changes go ahead and replace them. they are cheap. also the fast idle knob or lever is a big help. if after all this is done and it stilll takes to long to start it might be time to drop it off at the marina and have them do an inspection on it. could be plugged or gummed up carbs could be bad reeds. either way should get it checked.
 

floatfan

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 28, 2011
Messages
184
Re: Cold starting 2 cycle engine

I'm with JoLin...taking 4 or 5 minutes to start is crazy, and a great way to burn your starter up. Most Mercury motors have the cold start as part of the throttle/shifter. On mine, there's a buttom you push in at the bottom of the shifter where it attaches to the assembly, allowing you to throttle up without it being in gear.thottle.jpg
 

cobra1476

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 25, 2010
Messages
129
Re: Cold starting 2 cycle engine

I had the same question about a month back......lol! It was after a year to figure out how to start the motor.

1. Lower the motor so it is parallel to the hull.

2. prime the motor with fuel (bulb). Make sure not to flood it.

3. Push the key in for a couple of sec to choke.

4. Push throttle lever forward a bit without engaging the trans ( or else you will fly forward).

5. When you turn it over, do it with the key pushed in at the same time.

Went from 5-10min star like you to 2 turns!! Honestly, the only thing I did different wa pushing the key in while trying to start it.

Thanks to whoever recommended that to me!!!!
 

generator12

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 9, 2010
Messages
666
Re: Cold starting 2 cycle engine

The muffs, Lucky, the muffs...!

The issues you've described on starting your cold motor - and the solutions which have been offered - all suggest that KNOWING your piece will start is better than guessing. It's not only the cold start concern - it's about battery condition as well. Starting at home ensures that you have a functioning battery. In fact, start and warm-up will ensure a battery with a decent level of charge in it. Yeah, I got caught once with a failed battery which had worked the prior time out.

I always always always use the muffs prior to trailering to the dock, even if it's the night before.
 

5150abf

Vice Admiral
Joined
Aug 12, 2007
Messages
5,808
Re: Cold starting 2 cycle engine

Lucky, look at the lower just in front of the prop, there will be holes on it somewhere and that is where the water is taken into the engine so as long as those are covered you are good but remember the pump isn't self priming, it has to be submerged to pump water.

If you can't start at home do it on trailer at the ramp so the boat is running wehn it goes into the water.
 

Idlespeedonly

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 30, 2011
Messages
779
Re: Cold starting 2 cycle engine

You need somebody like a dealer mechanic to help you one on one. The bigvest thing i see people forgetting to do is the primer bulb. Like somebody said, pump it till its very firm. You wont flood the engine by pumping to much though.
 
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