Choke

[Fullspectrum]

1st time boater, so bare with me and the newbie questions. What's the function of the "choke?"

I notice when the motor is running and I pull it out, the motor idles higher than when it's pushed in. Also noticed that I can start the motor better when it's out than in.

 

[joed]

Re: Choke

The choke on any engine chokes off (blocks) the air intake on the carburator and causes a larger amount of gas to be sucked into the engine. It sort of primes the engine. If you need to run your engine with the choke in or partially in then it is starving for gas.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Choke

it enrichens the fuel/air ratio, more fuel. what motor do you have. should be used when starting a cold motor, once warmed up should not be necessary.

 

[Fullspectrum]

Re: Choke

it enrichens the fuel/air ratio, more fuel. what motor do you have. should be used when starting a cold motor, once warmed up should not be necessary.

I have a '78 35 Hp Evinrude. So basically...pull it out when when I need that first start of the day that may be difficult at times. Other than that...I should have it pushed in...not to over work the motor too much...thus saving gas, right?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Choke

you've got it right as to the steps, but not the reasons. it takes a richer fuel/air mix to start a cold motor. there is no difference in the motor working harder. if you sit in one spot fishing for 2 hrs, you may need to use the choke again, as the motor has cooled.

i had a 1955 15hp rude, perfectly tuned, and carbs adjusted properly. on a cold morning, i would choke it, and it would start by the 3rd pull, and on the first pull there after. my present 1993 40 starts 2 nd try cold morning. and just bump the key afterwards.

 

[Captain Caveman]

Re: Choke

Cars up until the 80s or so had carburetors as well. Your 1970s truck would have had a heat-controlled choke that automatically choked the engine (supplied more gas/less air) when you started it and then gradually shut off the choke as the motor warmed.

Your boat is the same way except that you likely don't have anything automatic. When you are starting your motor after dropping it in the water, pull out the choke and turn the key/pull the rope. After the motor starts you can push the choke in.

Carbureted snowmobiles are similar, but often have three positions - full choke, half choke, and no choke. When I pull-start my sled, I do so with the full choke. Once the motor starts I flip the choke to the middle position which is half choke. After the motor has warmed up a little I flip it to no choke and start riding.

Tashasdaddy was correct, that once the motor has already been run recently you will not need to choke the motor to get it running again. It's usually only needed when the motor is cold to the touch - which can take several hours on a warm day. On a cold day the interval could be much shorter.

I hope that this helps. Feel free to ask more questions. It's better to ask beforehand than to learn the hard way!

 

[flashback]

Re: Choke

would like to add that running a warm motor with the choke on will cause it to build up carbon deposits and also waste alot of fuel....not good,,, get off the choke as soon as you can...

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Choke

I would love to have a young sprout hop into a 40's and older car on a 20 below zero day and try to start it. Hand throttle, hand choke, six volt battery, and they started with ease if you knew what the choke and throttle were for. Just funnin' with ya Son! Manual chokes disappeared on cars decades ago and were replaced by automatic chokes which also disappeared decades ago when fuel injection came on the scene. The new EFI/DFI outboard engines are turn-key start just like the car you drive today. Two stroke outboards need lots of extra fuel to get them started when cold. Once warmed up its turn the key or pull the rope and go.

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Choke

Well dang, all my lawn equipment purchaced in the past few years has chokes.....

Today's generation got spoiled with EFI!

Seriously, all the information above is correct. Used properly, that choke will help start up a cold engine quickly, but get it off as soon as it will allow. If the engine will not run properly when warm without it, then it's time to have the carb. looked at.​

 

[a70eliminator]

Re: Choke

He said "pull it out" and "choke it" in the same sentance and nobody jumped on that one ? Especially oh forgret it, someone may be offended by my humor.

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Choke

He he. You said bad things... ​

 

[tomandwendy]

Re: Choke

I am pretty sure I know this answer.....but like someone said above its better to ask then be sorry.....but my boat just has the "push key in" choke.....once I release the key from pushing in, the choke is off right?? I am pretty sure the answer is yes, but just checking.