Strange "Warm" Starting Problem

[Greenporter]

2006 90HP (J90PLSDM)
This just started happening.
The engine cold starts beautifully (just a couple of pushes on the key for the choke). Starts first turn every time. If I shut it down and start it back up right away... starts first time as well.

If I shut it down and go for a swim for an hour I have to turn the key 10+ times before it starts. Choke or no choke. This has never happened before.

Even though I changed my plugs (QL78YC) and fuel filter at the beginning of the season I plan on checking them this wknd.

Has anyone run into this? Any suggestions?
Thanks for the help.

 

[jonesg]

Re: Strange "Warm" Starting Problem

A timing light is handy to have around for times like that, see if its getting spark.
If its getting spark move on to fuel.
Is the bulb draining back to the tank etc.

 

[Greenporter]

Re: Strange "Warm" Starting Problem

"Is the bulb draining back to the tank etc. "

not sure what you mean. the bulb is soft after an hour of sitting and a couple of pumps stiffins it right back.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: Strange "Warm" Starting Problem

It almost sounds like it is flooding after sitting for a while. I don't know what could be causing it, but it seems like the only explanation. Pull your plugs and check to see if they're fuel-soaked or have water on them. IF water, find the source; if fuel, look for the source.
JBJ

 

[Rick.]

Re: Strange "Warm" Starting Problem

When you restart do not prime the engine. This could be the problem with flooding. It is human nature to give it gas when it doesn't fire right up but you have to resist the urge. A symptom of a flooded engine is often a greater than normal amount of smoke when it does finally fire, not always but normally. Best of luck. Rick.

 

[Greenporter]

Re: Strange "Warm" Starting Problem

Rick - I hear you about wanting to prime the engine the second it doesn't fire up. It's hard to resist. This scenerio has happened the last three times out and I vividly remember more smoke then normal on one of the starts following an hours rest. Now I have to figure out if that was due to me unsessarily priming it or is gas somehow getting past the solenoid when sitting.

Next time I will try not to prime for a few turns and see what happens.
Should I lift the throttle lever at all after it has sat for an hour?

I know this has been covered a million times on this forum but there is still some confusion for me. 2006 J90PLSDM
On a cold start:
1) do you turn the key to the RUN position and then push it in to prime (or does it also prime when the key is in the vertical position?)
2) do you continue to hold the key in when turning it to the start position.

One minute I am convinced it is starved for gas... the next minute I am convinced it's flooded.

 

[Rick.]

Re: Strange "Warm" Starting Problem

I've been having starting problems with a new to me 95 -40HP-Johnson. My problem has been cold starts after the engine has sat more than a day. I use it infrequently and therefore haven't had enough time to figure it out as once mine starts it starts like a champ for the rest of the day. After one more frustrating no start at the ramp I trolled out with my kicker and pulled the plugs. They were soaking wet with fuel so from there on I knew my no starts were caused by flooding. Since that time I now lift the throttle about 25%, turn the key to on, start to crank, and then push the key in for the prime. I have started 3 for 3 since then.(please remember I'm talking about cold starts) Be prepared to give it another bump if required but it has worked well so far. Once warmed up, I never prime for the rest of the day and I give it no throttle either. I hope this helps. Rick.