Hard start

[Dustin87]

Hi guys I have a 99 johnson venom 200. Boat has very little hours on it and not a drop of oil anywhere. Original owner said its always been hard to start, so after a yr of running batteries dead i called a guy out and he told me it is my electric choke. I can hear it engage when pushing in key and once boat starts runs great wide open etc rest of day. Only way I can get bpat to start easily is turning the little red knob on the choke the opposite way, let it run for a few then have to switch back or it wont run. Anyone have a solution? Its a pain in the rear to pull off cover and flip knob and then back once atarted every time I go out

 

[racerone]

Are you pushing the key in while cranking the motor over , yes or no ?-----If you are running batteries dead I would also now look at doing an inspection of the starter.----Or test the function of the primer valve.----When motor is running and you push in the key what happens ?----Does motor slow down ?

 

[Dustin87]

Yes pushing in while cranking. Once I figured out the knob on electic choke I have just been doing it that way and it fires right up. And yes after switching red knob back and its warmed up if I push in on key it chokes out and tries to die. It works but doesnt, why I am confused

 

[racerone]

Well it sounds like the electric primer valve is working.-----There is a wee filter in the electric primer valve.---Have a look at it.----And perhaps look at other issues to do with starting.-----Battery load test.---Starter motor inspection.-----This should be easy to figure out !

 

[Dustin87]

I replaced the whole electric choke with a new 1 and it does exact same thing as old 1 did. I figured would be an easy fix as well just hoping someone had ran into same problem and knew the fix! Thanks for the replies.

 

[racerone]

Obviously there is something else ( quick start ? ) wrong on the motor.----And why was it not made clear in post #1 that the primer has been replaced on this motor.-----Your mechanic should be able to figure out what is wrong with some simple trouble shooting.

 

[oldboat1]

If the primer is working, gas is getting to the cylinders. It is an easy matter to check compression and spark -- can buy an adjustable open air spark tester cheaply at an auto parts store, and buy/borrow/rent a compression tester there too. I would start there.

It has to crank over at around 200 rpm to start, along with strong spark and compression.