Starting on water issues

[WC 120]

Hey everybody, I’m sure it’s been covered I just can’t find it. 1996 Mercury Force 120 2 stroke. I start it vertical, fuel bulb squeezed firm , hose connected rabbit ears on or in deep water bucket in driveway maybe once a week minus the boat outing. Starts up maybe after at the most 2-3 attempts. Runs perfectly in my driveway. When I tow it (outboard tilted) to the dock and put it in the water (outboard vertical), I follow the same process (minus hose lol) it takes an extremely long time to get her started on the water. This last attempt took sooo long to get her started. Once she’s warmed up and we cast off she runs like a top. Starts on a dime. I use sea foam and read the discussion on the choke (push key in then crank ) all I hear when I do that is a beep if that even has anything to do with this issue. Thx in advance for any help.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Seafoam is ^%%$ (my opinion)

I had that problem and for some reason it just wouldn't start

I got flustered and had the motor tilted up and hit the key.
Had the choke in and hit the key and it started.
So I just started it that way.
I never really figured out why one would start right and the other needed a tilt up to start??
Maybe the floats?

The primer/choke adds a shot of fuel every time you hit the key.

 

[foodfisher]

Somewhere back in my faulty memory, I remember a conversation about exhaust backpressure and idle RPM's, cold starts, compression?

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

What is your cold motor starting procedure? Are you holding the key in while cranking to prime? Advancing the throttle in Neutral Only?

 

[racerone]

Crankcase compression could be low.-----That is a key factor in " hard to start " in the water problems.-----Battery and starter must be in top notch condition.-----Get your battery load tested!

 

[jerryjerry05]

If my memory's right???
The compression on the top and bottom is lower than the middle cylinders.

What's the rpm;s in N in the water? In gear?