1986 30 hp tiller cold start issue?

[BAYDOG225]

I have , as title says , a 1986 30 hp tiller, that in the summer starts ok? but in the fall/winter when I duck hunt, is a pig to start. Probably the worst starting motor I have ever owned. When warmed up, runs great. It has the choke that you pull out to "mist" the the engine. is there something I am doing wrong/ My sequence has been, open gas tank vent, pump primer ball till hard, pull out and mist engine three times leaving the choke out in the choked/line showing position, with throttle on the start line.

 

[racerone]

Perhaps the primer unit needs repairs.-----Have you checked that it is actually spraying fuel into the engine , yes or no.-----Advance the throttle till you get to the neutral stop.---Ignore the " start " marking on the handle.

 

[oldboat1]

Did you try opening the idle mix needle slightly for starting (counter clockwise)? Return to previous setting when the motor warms up.

 

[BAYDOG225]

Is the idle mix needle the adjustment knob on the tiller handle?

 

[racerone]

No mix adjustment on the tiller.-----It is the knob top front of the carburetor that you adjust.

 

[oldboat1]

^^yup. small adjustment(s), about 1/8 turn.

 

[BAYDOG225]

Then what is the knob on the end of the tiller handle??Goes around the kill button.

 

[racerone]

Perhaps an idle SPEED adjustment.-----Allows you to set your happy trolling / no stall speed.------There is nothing on the handle that connects to the carburetor mixture controls !!

 

[BAYDOG225]

Thanks All!!!

 

[BAYDOG225]

Just a update... it was the primer/choke. Replaced with new, starts right up no problems!! Thanks to all that took the time to help!