Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

Patty Pooh

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 15, 2003
Messages
90
I have a 1989 Force 125 motor. The problem im having is it is very difficult to start when cold. It took me about 5 tries to get it started today and everyday. Once it starts it runs great the rest of the day. If I turn it off and then start it up when its warm it starts right up no problem. When its cold i have to crank, crank, crank. When I go to start it when its cold I prime it about 10 to 15 times until hard then i put in neutral with throttle all the way up( fast throttle) then i push key in to choke and choke works. Then i crank. Anything you could tell me to look for will be greatly appreciated, thanks!
 

wraenking

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
93
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

not sure what to tell you, but i started having those problems, and now i am waiting to see if my powerhead is bad. more grief for me. i hope you have better luck. i will be waiting to see what is said.
 

wraenking

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
93
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

not sure what to tell you, but i started having those problems, and now i am waiting to see if my powerhead is bad. more grief for me. i hope you have better luck. i will be waiting to see what is said.
 

papasage

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jan 12, 2003
Messages
785
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

check your choke and see if your butterflyes ar closing all the way when you choke is enguaged . you have to hold the choke in while you are cranking . i have seen several people trying to crank a motor just pushing on the choke several times and then trying to crank .just some sugestions..papasage>>>>>>>>>
 

Dagsr

Cadet
Joined
Nov 11, 2002
Messages
18
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

Try raising the throttle about 2 inches instead of all the way up,Had this problem with my 150 johnson,when it fires use your primer to keep it going. Good luck
 

Patty Pooh

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 15, 2003
Messages
90
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

I have tryed raising the throttle 2 inches as to have a lower idle while cranking but still same results.
 

Bluefish

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 14, 2001
Messages
125
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

After starting, does your ball go soft? You could be sucking in air some were install a clear hose after primer bulb and check for air bubbles.
 

jim dozier

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jan 8, 2003
Messages
1,970
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

It may be that you have your idle mixture set too lean. When you adjust the idle mixture it should be set about 1/8 to 1/4 turn richer than the "optimum" setting. This allows for a better transition to mid range and high speed and also would make cold cranking easier.
 

chads15

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 28, 2001
Messages
136
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

When I had my Force 150 This is how it liked to be started.. First: Pump Bulb Until firm. Replace If it does not stay firm. Second: Turn Key to On. DO NOT START! Push in key to prime. Hold for 5 seconds then Release. Third: Put Shifter in nutral and down about 10:30 position. Forth: Push in key again hold till count of 5 again than turn. Should fire right up. But all of this is pointless if your bulb is not staying firm or sucking air. Good luck!
 

chads15

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 28, 2001
Messages
136
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

Sorry about the duplicate post.. Had to make a EDIT..<br /><br />When I had my Force 150 This is how it liked to be started.. First: Pump Bulb Until firm. Replace If it does not stay firm. Second: Turn Key to On. DO NOT START! Push in key to prime. Hold for 5 seconds then Release. Third: Put Shifter in nutral and down about 10:30 position. Forth: Push in key again hold till count of 5 again than turn Keping the key pushed in @ the same time. Should fire right up. But all of this is pointless if your bulb is not staying firm or sucking air. Good luck!
 

Yepblaze

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 1, 2001
Messages
1,686
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

On many a outboard, pushing the key inward while in the on or start position activates a solenoid which closes the choke flaps. It is neccisary (sp)these choke flaps remain closed while crankning the motor so that they can create an overrich condition needed while starting cold.<br /><br />Pushing and releasing the key does no good in and of itself.<br /><br />It is only when activated while cranking that the choke does it's job.<br /><br />As it warms and begins to stumble it may take a momentary push inward on the key to give it a bit more choke till warmed.
 

chads15

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jul 28, 2001
Messages
136
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

Point taken, However, Force does not Use this system for this year of Motor. More of a fuel Bypass that gets dumped directly in the block when the key is pushed in.
 

Yepblaze

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Jun 1, 2001
Messages
1,686
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

cool
 
Joined
May 31, 2003
Messages
9
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

I just always thought thats the way Force Outboards started.<br /><br />Everyone I have ever witnessed takes forever to go.
 

Patty Pooh

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 15, 2003
Messages
90
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

When I pump the primer bulb it takes about 20 to 30 pumps before it gets hard. Is that normal or too many pumps?
 

daritzzz

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 29, 2003
Messages
30
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

Jow thisoldboat,<br /><br />I guess too many pumps needed, you can try to disconnect fuel hose at the carbs, pump into tank or can untill all air is out, bulb will become harder.<br />Attach hose back to carb and pump again, must come hard quicker than before.<br />If not you have an airleak or failure of the bulb.<br />i've had same problems and removed an inline filter, a filter/waterseperator and reinstalled fuel connection to tank,I still have the filter next to engine(it's enough). now the bulb pumps fuel and no gas(air).<br />Correct me if I'm wrong :D :D <br />Greetzzz Daritzzz<br /> :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool: :cool:
 

daritzzz

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
May 29, 2003
Messages
30
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

Maybe you've done this already, but it worked for the "Suzy".<br />I guess I need to rebuild her :( :( :( :( <br />(see my topics)<br /><br />Daritzzz :D
 

U68423

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Jun 29, 2003
Messages
77
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

How did you make out? I have the same problems on a 1989 force 125, and I can not find any fast idle setting on my controler.
 

91formula

Seaman
Joined
Jun 15, 2002
Messages
69
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

Boat, have you ever decarbed her, mine did the same thing, decarbed her, also try this starting procedure,<br /><br />1) Prime your bulb,<br />2) Put troddle high idle<br />3) Turn key to run and push in so you activate chokes, don't turn so far as to start, do this for 6-8 seconds,<br />4) After that stop and then try and start, should fire almost right away, I had the same problems as you, try this <br />5) Mine 120/Force/92 fires up within 1/2 second after I tried this
 

sony2001

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Mar 17, 2001
Messages
607
Re: Hard to start when cold, runs great when warm, Any input?

I used to spray premix down carbs to save the starter. Now I put throttle full forward in gear, pump bulb till its hard, pump throttle four times and go to full throttle in neutral. Try a start with full choke. Second try: Full throttle in neutral, repump bulb, raise and lower throttle four times, full choke and try again. If starts you can release choke for three seconds then give it again for three seconds. Suggest a decarb. :cool:
 
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