97 90 HP Evinrude Primer Solenoid ?

jamiechipper

Cadet
Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
17
I am unable cold start without removing hood, turning the red primer solenoid lever to the manual position and pumping the fuel line bulb. I really do not want to pull the hood off everytime I start.

Items to note:
1. I am able to hear an audible sound when I push the primer in and have the key turned

Trouble shooting done this far:
1. There is power to the solenoid coming from the switch

I am unsure what and where to clean. I seen in previous posts, that this maybe a way to fix the problem.

Any thoughts. Thanks in advance.
 

jamiechipper

Cadet
Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
17
Re: 97 90 HP Evinrude Primer Solenoid ?

Trouble shooting done this far:
1. There is power to the solenoid coming from the switch
2. Removed gas line to solenoid to the card
- When in manual position and priming via key, NO gas flows​
- When in auto position and priming via key, NO gas flows​
- When in auto position and priming via gas bulb, NO gas flows​
- When in manual position and priming via gas bulb, gas DOES flows​

This may help answer some questions...
 

Backlash

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 16, 2001
Messages
586
Re: 97 90 HP Evinrude Primer Solenoid ?

Do you hear a "click" or any sound when you activate the solenoid? From all you've said, it sounds like a bad solenoid.
 

ezeke

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 19, 2003
Messages
12,532
Re: 97 90 HP Evinrude Primer Solenoid ?

The primer solenoid is just a valve; it creates no pressure on the fuel by itself and relies on you to provide the pressure either by squeezing the bulb or by activating the fuel pump while cranking the engine.

If the fuel pump is not working, the primer solenoid will not help.
 

jamiechipper

Cadet
Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
17
Re: 97 90 HP Evinrude Primer Solenoid ?

The fuel pump seems to be working because the motor runs with no problem once it is warm. I have problems only from a cold start. See first entry. Thanks!
 

jamiechipper

Cadet
Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
17
Re: 97 90 HP Evinrude Primer Solenoid ?

If I take apart theprimer solenoid, does the gasket need to be replaced?
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: 97 90 HP Evinrude Primer Solenoid ?

- When in manual position and priming via key, NO gas flows

manual position, pushing key does nothing as valve in wrong location.

- When in auto position and priming via key, NO gas flows

bad ground, clogged primer ports, they are very small.

- When in auto position and priming via gas bulb, NO gas flows

correct, you are not activating the primer, just building pressure.

- When in manual position and priming via gas bulb, gas DOES flows

correct, that is what it is suppose to do.


try having someone pump bulb. key on, pushed in, you should get gas.

disconnecting primer line at top carb, primer fuel line, now turn
push key in and turn to start, you should get pulses of fuel.
 

Faztbullet

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 2, 2008
Messages
15,930
Re: 97 90 HP Evinrude Primer Solenoid ?

There is also a filter inside primer that may be stopped up due to degraded fuel line or debris over the years.
 

jamiechipper

Cadet
Joined
Apr 21, 2010
Messages
17
Re: 97 90 HP Evinrude Primer Solenoid ?

Thanks Fellas -

I ended up taking apart the solenoid and cleaning... it wasnt bad, but it has seemed to do the trick.

However, now when in auto position and pumping the gas bulb I am getting a very little gas flow - must have a leak somewhere. Any thoughts... do I need to worry about this?

Thanks!
 
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