hard cold starting 12.5 hp

[libby]

My motor is a 1980 chrysler sailor 280 12.5 hp. The motor has always run flawlessly and started in one or two cranks on the electric starter.<br />My husband wanted to troll so we trolled about 4 hours and later ran the motor at high throttle for 30 min to blow out any carbon build up.<br />Since then it has not started worth a damn so I rebuilt the fuelpump, carburetor and replaced all fuel lines and clamps and the fuel line and bulb from the gas tank.<br />I only run the best, proper octane fuel and quicksilver oil at 50:1, change spark plugs every year and impeller every 2 years.<br />The carburetor has been adjusted to a knats eyelash and the stator plate cam follower on the carb for high speed operation is also perfectly adjusted. Now the motor has to crank for ten seconds before it will start cold while choking at the same time.<br />Could it be the new formulated gas that we in california are forced to endure or something else I should look at? Oh yes the electronic ignition is performing perfect with a good strong blue spark. <br />Help!!<br />Denise

 

[roscoe]

Re: hard cold starting 12.5 hp

Two things come to mind.<br />1 Do a check on the compression.??<br /><br />2 If you ever leave your husband, contact me, I could use a wife with your mechanical skills. <br /><br />Hopefully someone else will have other ideas to help you.

 

[libby]

Re: hard cold starting 12.5 hp

Dear Roscoe;<br />yes I did a compression check and both cylinders check out at 105 lbs which seems a little low as the service manual states 115 to 135 lbs normal compression for this motor.<br />I'm assuming that those compression figures are for a relatively new motor. It could also be the compression meter error although it is the screw in type and new. My sister and I used to drag race and built our own 392 hemi hot rod so I'm pretty motor savy but this has me stumped. Thanks for the nice offer. It should keep my hubby on his toes...ha ha<br />Denise

 

[eurolarva]

Re: hard cold starting 12.5 hp

What kind of spark plugs are you using. I believe your motor should be using champ L4J which are hard to come by and are crossed over to L82C. If you mainly troll you might want to consider L86C (hotter plugs). I have also heard that new primer bulbs have a tendency to be defective. Might also try starting motor with gas cap loose to make sure tank is venting however I would think that would effect you more at WOT.

 

[libby]

Re: hard cold starting 12.5 hp

Dear Eurolarva;<br />I'm using ql86 champions and yes I did check the primer bulb and removed the gas tank cap just to make sure it wasn't a bad cap vent. I still have a couple new lj4's and tried them too still no difference. My dear hubby informs me that while I was working on the lawn tractor that he "readjusted" the stator plate cam follower on the carb on the outboard!!! Oh give me patience.... Tomorrow I'll sort it out and let you all know how it turns out. Thanks for all the good suggestions.<br />Denise

 

[Terry H]

Re: hard cold starting 12.5 hp

Denise...did you try squirting a little premix in the carb before starting? I have a similar motor and once in a while the lo speed jet plugs...I take the needle out and squirt some carb cleaner in and it is good to go. I don't know why it does this, but squirting the premix before starting will help narrow down the problem. On the other hand if the needle and seat on the in side of the carb is leaking you will flood...and just because you just put a new kit in don't mean it's fine. My guess is you are lean...just a Thought

 

[libby]

Re: hard cold starting 12.5 hp

Well Guys;<br />After readjusting the carb, I decarbonized the motor with deep creep and even though it didn't seem too dirty, the problem seems to have resolved itself and once again the motor starts and runs flawlessly.... I've come to the conclusion that 2 cycles and electricity are both magic and defy earthly logic!!!<br />Thanks for all the suggestions and help and to those who think that new motors are too expensive, go check out a new top of the line sewing machine. Yikes! and they can't even get you home in a storm..<br />Denise

 

[Terry H]

Re: hard cold starting 12.5 hp

Denise...mine is an '84 and I use it on a larger boat for a kicker/troller. The only problems I have seems to have are that it will load up after a day of trolling...sos I have to run it wide open when possible to clean it out..by the way last time I was in NoCal was last fall on the upper Sacto clobberin' salmon...just a Thought