Re: 97 90hp Evinrude hard starter cold
Hold the key in for 5 or 7 seconds (in the "on" position) before turning it over to "start".
Your motor might or might not have a feature called "fast start", which automatically increases the idle speed until the motor reaches a predetermined temperature. If it does have that feature and it's working properly, it'll be idling very high for a few minutes when cold then drop down to normal.
If it doesn't have "fast start", or if it's not working as described, lift the hi-idle lever full up for cold starts, then back it down after it starts, to just enough RPMs to keep it running, until its warm. If it starts to die, punching the key for just a second usually keeps it running.
Primer bulb needs to get firm -- not tennis ball hard, more like raquetball hard. While the motor's running, the bulb is just a fat spot in the fuel hose...you'll feel a little pressure, but it won't be firm at all. When the motor stops, it should still be pretty hard, maybe less than when you started but not by much.
