1978 6 HP Engine Cocaine Addiction (hard to start)

[hunterhicks]

Howdy folks, new guy here again-

my 6 hp runs fine- once it's started. it's near impossible to start without a shot of starting fluid (aka "engine cocaine"). one shot, it fires right up, and usually runs just fine.

Does that set off any alarms in your head? Rebuild the carb? Fuel delivery system?

Remember, it runs great once it's started (which makes me think the carb is in ok shape.) I have no problems with giving it a shot each time I start it, but if it's not normal, I'll enjoy tinkerin' with it.

thanks guys-
hunter

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1978 6 HP Engine Cocaine Addiction (hard to start)

The big alarm bell is the starting fluid. Don't use it! It's slow death for a two-stroke - no lubrication in starter fluid. Use some pre-mix and a squirt bottle if you need a quick boost.

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1978 6 HP Engine Cocaine Addiction (hard to start)

Okay, now that we have that out of the way. Does is idle down to a slow crawl okay, or does it cut out at high idle?

 

[hunterhicks]

Re: 1978 6 HP Engine Cocaine Addiction (hard to start)

It runs like a champ- low/high idle, WOT, etc. Just starting.

I squeeze the gas bulb until it gets hard, then I'll hit it with one blast of starting fluid, pull it, it'll fire up, I rev the throttle for about 5 seconds up and down to keep it alive, then it idles and runs just fine. I can pull for 20 minutes on it (hard) and it won't start- seems to really like it's ether.

FYI, to promote my learning of boat motors, I ordered a shop manual for it today, along with some other parts.... So I won't be a total board mooch..

 

[iwombat]

Re: 1978 6 HP Engine Cocaine Addiction (hard to start)

Sounds like maybe your choke linkage isn't properly choking the carb. Have you checked the choke plate to make sure it's engaging?

 

[Snowdrggn]

Re: 1978 6 HP Engine Cocaine Addiction (hard to start)

I'm not sure on this one.......
I had a 1981 8hp that had a primer with the choke. There was a line about half way on the choke knob shaft. To start it, you pumped the bulb until it was hard, pulled the choke all the way out, then pushed it back in to the line on the shaft, and it was always running on the second pull of the cord. When you pushed it in, it pumped a bit of fuel into the carb throat. I'm not sure if your 6hp is the same or not, the engines are somewhat similar in many ways.
If you didn't push the choke part way back in on mine it was just about impossible to get started......

Cheers,
Snow.

 

[hunterhicks]

Re: 1978 6 HP Engine Cocaine Addiction (hard to start)

Wombat- Linkage does work- seen the butterfly valve move back and forth; and I tried 'back in the day' (last year) to use the choke to start it- it never made a difference- which it should. I will investigate more when I visit the boat in a couple days.

Snow- This is interesting- I will double check for a primer bulb, or something like that. THAT is what it needs- at least that is exactly how an old lawnmower of mine worked (of course not the same, but the primer bulb solved those problems with the mower)

I have a new starter part and service manual coming in soon, and I'll try all this and report back. I am not sure why I didn't concentrate more on the choke- I'll check it out.

thanks guys

 

[Walker]

Re: 1978 6 HP Engine Cocaine Addiction (hard to start)

Low compression will cause hard starting and once started will usually run fairly well.