New engine starting

[lightning]

Well....taking the boat out for its first trip tomorrow. Brand new Mercury 6hp engine, clearly can't try starting it in my garage, so first ever startup will be in the water.
Probably with sundry dog walkers/kids etc, plus my wife, watching.
Is it just going to start no problems or is there an art to it (like my dad's chainsaw, I'd challenge anybody to start that little beast unless they knew the drill)

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by lightning

clearly can't try starting it in my garage

Take it out of the garage and mount it on the side of your wheely bin which is filled with sufficient clean water to cover the motors water inlets...I've a Suzuki DF5 and ran it in mounted on the wheely bin for a couple of hours This way, you'll learn how to start it without most of the potential onlookers.

[PeterM]

Either do as Leapy says , or my only advice - dont over choke it ! I have found the 3 or 4 really 'new' engines I have had start pretty easily as long as you dont flood them . Start without much of anything & go from there - if anything in crease the throttle settings & when it fires , pull the choke !

[Downhilldai]

Remember to fit the kill cord. If you're not familiar with the small Merc/Mariner/Twatsoo, then the killcord switch just looks like a small button or plug.

I had a very good buy on a 'non runner' newish 4 stroke 4hp Merc a couple of years ago. It had no kill cord. Best £3 I've spent - fixed in seconds.

[codprawn]

Originally Posted by Blackroady

Either do as Leapy says , or my only advice - dont over choke it ! I have found the 3 or 4 really 'new' engines I have had start pretty easily as long as you dont flood them . Start without much of anything & go from there - if anything in crease the throttle settings & when it fires , pull the choke !

Yes my Suzuki 15hp starts first time - needs about 1/2 throttle and chocke - as soon as it's running push choke in and throttle back.

[m chappelow]

if you use a wheelie bin or a dust bin check the water temp in the bin and top up with cold water after a half an hour especially in hot weather it suprizing how even a small outboard can warm up a bin full if left running for a long time ,and dont forget to open the air bleed screw on top of the fuel tank ,theres a few video s on youtube now about how to start brand new outboards for people with no experience ,good luck mart

[codprawn]

One good thing about warm water - it will be far better than cold for removing salt deposits!!!

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by m chappelow

if you use a wheelie bin or a dust bin check the water temp in the bin and top up with cold water after a half an hour ...

Ran mine (5hp) for two hours in the wheelie bin. The water was barely warm after

[uncle al]

do something that most people dont bother with, read the owners handbook, if you run it in any container make sure the water stays cold and mind your fingers on any turning parts cos its a hell of a way to stop picking your nose

[Leapy]

Originally Posted by uncle al

do something that most people dont bother with, read the owners handbook, if you run it in any container make sure the water stays cold and mind your fingers on any turning parts cos its a hell of a way to stop picking your nose