Am I doing Something wrong??

[Syd]

Went to the boat today. Lowered the engine, squeezed the bulb till it went hard, opened the throttle a tad, put on the choke, and pulled.... and pulled and pulled and pulled.. Not a splutter. I tried every technique I know. There was plenty of fuel getting to the carbs so I assumed I'd flooded it. Disconnected the fuel line and pulled for another fifteen minutes to try and clear the cylinders. Still no joy. This happened to me a month ago, the next day I went down to the boat and it started on the second pull. Is there a set routine on how you start an outboard without flooding it? Are all outboards this temperamental? Can you suggest what I should do next? We missed out on a days fishing because of it. Is it me doing something wrong??
Cheers for now
Syd

[Pete7]

Frowned apon by ribnet but a can of easy start just in case ?

Pete

[John Kennett]

It sounds like you're almost certainly flooding the engine. Try using the choke for just the first pull, then pulling again with no choke. I had an engine a while back that would always start on the second pull if you did it this way!

John

[Hightower]

Take a spark plug out, connect the HT lead and ground the plug on the engine. Pull the start cord and see if your getting a spark at the plug. No spark=Ignition prob. Spark=fuel prob! Give it a go and let us know what it is?

Andy

[Tim M]

Had the same problem last week, only it was on an electric start Mariner 40.

Turned out it was the kill-cord wire. Well worth checking.

[tue]

If you think its flooded, push the choke in and set the throttle to flat out (in neutral obviously). Just be ready to control the revs when its goes.

[Syd]

Thanks everyone.
I'll be back down there on Friday. I'll let you know what I find.

Cheers all

Syd

[Bajan]

Syd!
I never use the throttle(fast idle) to start my engine and have never had a problem. Try using just the choke the first time and leave it alone after that. I assume similar rules apply for remote and pull start engines?

[Syd]

Hi all,
went to the boat on friday and same thing happened, the engine refused to start. A guy on a passing jet ski saw what I was doing and lent me a squirt of carb cleaner. After this was sprayed in and around the carbs the engine started first pull and performed well all day. I havent been back yet to try starting it from cold again to see what happens but do you think this could have cured it or could it be a temporary fix? Plus, do you think it may have done the engine any damage?

Chers for now

Syd

[miles]

Hiya

Sounds like a stuck needle and seat. My 30hp Mariners did exactly the same thing. Try running your motor dry before storing it. The 2stroke oil in the fuel makes the needle and seat stick. A gentle tap with a solid object on the float bowl of the carb would rectify it.

I always used to disconnect my fuel hoses, then simply flush the engine with muffs until they ran out of fuel.

No more starting woe's.

Regards
miles