Choke on every start

[dan1979]

I own a 1980 Chrysler 115HP, its a great motor and runs very strong.. But I've noticed that in order to get it started I have to choke it every time. Is this normal? Even if I have had the motor running at WOT for a bit I still have to choke it..

On a side note; yesterday when I would put in reverse it kept wanting to die on me.

Any thoughts out there?

 

[wayne h]

Re: Choke on every start

check your primer ball also look for cracked fuel lines it sounds like u are pulling air into the system from somewhere

 

[eurolarva]

Re: Choke on every start

Instead of choking try repriming every time. As mentioned it could be an air leak or it could be a bad fuel pump diaphragm. A place to start that is cheap is to replace all the fuel lines and rebuild the fuel pump. Fuel pump kit is sierra 18-7806. Cost is about 10 bucks and another 10 bucks for fuel line, maybe a new primer bulb.

 

[Matthew A.]

Re: Choke on every start

Most two strokes when properly tuned may sometimes require using the choke to start the engine when the engine hasn't been run for several hours or more. However, once the engine is running, any choke at all will normally kill the engine. The initial use of the choke for a two stroke engine is primarily to insure enough vaccuum to pull fuel thru the carb passages which commonly loose prime so to speak if the motor hasn't been run for awhile.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Choke on every start

These engines are very tolerant of hot restarts as long as they have not been sitting long enough for latent heat to boil off the fuel in the carb bowls.

So, if you have been running it, shut it down, and try to restart within, say, a couple of minutes, it should start immediately without using the choke, and with a well tuned engine, without setting it back into fast idle position.

If this is the case and you need to choke it, then check for low float levels in the carbs or low speed idle adjusting needles set way too lean. 3/4 to 1 turn out from lightly seated should be about right. Also check that the low speed passages are not partially clogged--Spraying with WD 40 through the needle hole works really well to clear them. Do this right away as lean running conditions usually lead to detonation damage.

It is also possible that the fuel pump diaphrahm is hardened and the pump will deliver enough fuel to run the engine but will not fill the fuel bowls.

Check that the throttle advance cam is properly synchronized. At idle, the line on the cam is usually a bit below the center of the roller, opening the carb butterflies a crack, allowing the idle circuit to properly deliver fuel..

 

[mthieme]

Re: Choke on every start

One of my motors is like this. Entire (as in every-friggin-thing) fuel system from tank to carb has been replaced or rebuilt this season. Compression and ignition are strong.
Still does it. No big deal. Each motor seems to have a personality.

 

[dan1979]

Re: Choke on every start

Thank you for all the replies!! And I apologize for the delay. I've only had the motor for a couple months now, and when I first got it I didn't have to use the choke every time to start. Sure at first, if it had been sitting for a few days or so I had to. I realized that it was lately that I had to choke every time.

On Thursday I took the boat out for a spin, and I did have to choke to start.. I also noticed that it ran slightly rough at idle. I didn't think anything of it. So, I took some family fishing for the weekend and after running the boat for a while, it died on me when I went to slow down, to idle speed. Then I had a heck of time getting it started.

Once I got it started, it would run for a couple seconds and then die. I took the fuel pump off, checked the lines, and checked the pressure of the bulb; everything was fine. But, if I immediately throttled the motor up from the throttle rod connecting the carbs it would run fine at higher RPM's, but die at idle. I began adjusting the Needles and got it to where it would run at idle and not require choke. But, it now runs very rough at idle. I am also topping out at 3200 RPM's while cruising; can't seem to get anymore out of it. When before I could get 4500 easy. I also noticed that at idle it runs much smoother with the hood off.

Is all of this because of carb needles? Do I need to adjust more? I recently cleaned the carbs, so there shouldn't be any 'gunk' in them.

Thanks Everyone!

 

[dan1979]

Re: Choke on every start

Hey sorry for the post bump, but was curious if anyone had any advice or tips on the above. Thank you all in advance!

 

[Thomas P]

Re: Choke on every start

if it idles smoother with hood off, then you are getting exhaust fumes,or smoke in motor area , with hood off no smoke to build up, with hood in place smoke is choking out carbs, but i dont think this would couse your problem with choke at every start