Bad ramp ettiquette?

[NSBCraig]

Re: Bad ramp ettiquette?

I think you had a problem understanding what/ how your key switch works.

The choke function is actually a separate switch that works by pushing the key in.

Holding it doesn't add fuel it just moves the choke plates to the closed position.

You can operate this push in switch independent of the starter.

So holding it before turning key to start does nothing, also once the motor fires if it stumbles you can then bump the switch (push in) and flip the choke plates down for just a moment to help warm up. So don't worry about bumping it.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Bad ramp ettiquette?

The choke function is actually a separate switch that works by pushing the key in.

Holding it doesn't add fuel it just moves the choke plates to the closed position.

Most/all outboard chokes do 2 things. it closes the butterfly as you mentioned, but it also kicks a fuel enrichment solenoid which DOES provide a single squirt of fuel into the carb. (most outboards also have a manual override button somewhere hidden in the cowl that you can use to push fuel in)

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Bad ramp ettiquette?

Most/all outboard chokes do 2 things. it closes the butterfly as you mentioned, but it also kicks a fuel enrichment solenoid which DOES provide a single squirt of fuel into the carb. (most outboards also have a manual override button somewhere hidden in the cowl that you can use to push fuel in)

Swing and a miss!

I'm sure some do but most and all are way off!

The OP's motor is the same as mine and all the electric choke does is close the butterfly's.

No solenoid or manual override hidden button (does such a button exist? I know I'm no outboard guru but I've never heard of such a thing. I'm not even sure why you would need to push extra fuel in if just bumping the switch in does it. Why would you have a switch to do what your other switch already does?)

Either way doesn't matter, you still start a outboard the same way.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Bad ramp ettiquette?

There is a sticky posted to help you understand starting outboards here.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=225510

Make sure your reading about older omc's like yours. (One's without enrichener like a lot of motors)

 

[H20Rat]

Re: Bad ramp ettiquette?

Swing and a miss!

I'm sure some do but most and all are way off!


No solenoid or manual override hidden button (does such a button exist? I know I'm no outboard guru but I've never heard of such a thing. I'm not even sure why you would need to push extra fuel in if just bumping the switch in does it. Why would you have a switch to do what your other switch already does?)

EVERY single mercury motor I've owned had this system. That almost gets us into 'most' territory right there... My apologies though if this particular engine doesn't, 100% of the engines I've owned (a dozen or so and counting) did have it.

This is a page from a random mercury service manual. They will all have something similar. I'm guessing that 99% of boat owners do not even know this system exists, or that there is a manual override to it. The page below does a fairly good job of explaining the system, the hidden button, and how it works when you push in the key...

The purpose of the enrichment solenoid is different than the choke, but activated at the same time. The solenoid is generally a single shot of extra fuel every time you push the key in as long as there is fuel pressure. (some are just on/off, so it will dump more in if you hold it longer) A standard choke, if it is just a butterfly, doesn't add any fuel, it just restricts air.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Bad ramp ettiquette?

Back to the OP question, regardless of whether his motor starts well or not, the proper thing to do in a busy launch situation is to be prepared. Have your boat well prepared at home. Prep it before getting into the launch line. Then drop your boat in and either crank it and go or push it off with a dock line. If you push off with a dock line (like I do), either tie off to the non-launch side of the dock, beach it if there is no dock, and if there is no beach, bring along a boating/fishing partner to manage the boat while you are taking your truck/trailer to park. An efficient person should be able to put their boat in the water and be parking within a few minutes. Every preparation that you fail to make prior to launch adds more time to the launching procedure at the lake.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Bad ramp ettiquette?

I forgot to add that for the gas issue, since you said that the motor runs fine once up and going, I wouldn't worry about siphoning the gas. It's a two stroke so just bring a portable gas container with you. Run that sucker dry of gas on the lake, then after it sputters to a stop, add more gas and get back to your trailer. Gas can last a pretty long time especially if it's been treated or of a higher octane.

 

[slackeribew]

Re: Bad ramp ettiquette?

try turning key and holding in for 5 to 6 seconds then half throttle then push key in and crank

 

[adam7]

Re: Bad ramp ettiquette?

Okay, I think your problem is the part I bolded. You need to push the key in the whole time you're cranking or at least until the motor starts to sputter to life.

This. I had serious cold start issues on my boat until I started doing this. Went out Saturday and it started within 30 seconds (15 of which with the choke held in). More of a case where I'm still new to the boat I think.

 

[takirb]

Re: Bad ramp ettiquette?

Just curious, where does the "hold for 8-10 count" from the stickied starting procedure fall into play here if all that happens are the choke plates being closed? That specific step made the difference between starting/not starting at all on my last Johnson ('94 48SP). On my current motor, there's not a "click", but more like a motorized "zzzzzz" sound for almost a second each time i press the key in. On my last motor though, there was never a noise made when pressing the key in, so i just thought it was a "gravity fill" type situation and holding the key in longer allowed more fuel to be fed. I openly admit i'm clueless about the inner workings of the choke/ignition systems on these things :redface: , but i'm sure ready to hit the lake again this weekend and see if i can get her started on the 1st or 2nd turn of the key by holding "start" longer all the while with the key pressed in. Again, thanks so much for the help guys!

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Bad ramp ettiquette?

Your newer motor had a primer. Your current one does not. Holding it for a 10 count won't do a thing.

 

[takirb]

Re: Bad ramp ettiquette?

Gotcha, makes sense. Thanks!

 

[Fed]

Re: Bad ramp ettiquette?

I've always thought it was either choke plates or an enrichment solonoid but never both on the same motor as was suggested.

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Bad ramp ettiquette?

Hey smokingcrater-

Mercury sure would like it if they were most but as we all know the outboard market includes a couple other brands that people do in fact own. A true statement would be some, not most or even almost most.

I'm really not trying to argue over that point or any other, but I don't understand why you decided to post a incorrect answer quoting my correct answer trying to point out that is was wrong?

Then you post more info that has absolutely nothing to do with the question being asked in this thread???

Do you have a point?

Takirb-

Like I said you have to make sure your reading the parts about your motor in the sticky.

Holding the key in and counting, waiting to do something does nothing.

Have fun.

 

[takirb]

Re: Bad ramp ettiquette?

NSBCraig - my problems been SOLVED. I took it out again yesterday, simply held the key in and turned it for a 5 sec count and it started right up!!! Didn't even have to turn the key more than once. Thanks to you and all the others on this thread for the help, no more 10 min ramp days for me i hope

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Bad ramp ettiquette?

Nice when something turns out to be simple, eh? Congrats on your discovery and happy boating. I recall my uncle had a similar issue with his old Merc. Always referred to it as hard starting til I saw him do it one day. Half second bursts on the key with no choke from cold. Ah, well - live an learn!

Regarding the buzzing noise you mentioned. I've never heard that with your style system - only the quick click-click sound as the key is pushed in and released. You might want to take your cowl off and have someone activate your choke so you can take a close look at what's going on. If the choke/carb linkages seem especially dirty perhaps they are sticking and need a shot of something to free them up.

 

[takirb]

Re: Bad ramp ettiquette?

The buzzing definitely sounds electrical vs mechanical (buzz vs click). Is there a small motor used to open/close the choke plates when the key is pressed, or is it a purely mechanical feature? Like i said, the motor was completely rebuilt, and the controls are not the original Johnson controls, they're Evinrude and don't match up with color or original placement in the boat (lever is too long, full reverse is interrupted by padding on the side).

 

[NSBCraig]

Re: Bad ramp ettiquette?

That's too cool man, glad it's working great now.

That is one really good motor you have.

I don't know what the buzz is...