Cold start issue

[Nockydavex]

I just purchased a 2002 electric start 20hp Honda four stroke. The motor will not do a cold start. It runs for a few seconds and stalls out. I do not touch the throttle before crankingo it over. Start fluid let’s it start right up. After it warms up for a few minutes it starts fine. This outboard sat for five years or so. I’m thinking gummed up carb but

 

[Nockydavex]

2002 Honda four stroke won’t do a cold start after starter fluid it runs fine once warm it starts fine but when it cools off again doesn’t start. I don’t touch the throttle before attempting cold start

 

[GA_Boater]

When did this starting problem show up? After working on it or out of the blue?

 

[Nockydavex]

No I didn’t work on it. Just put some carb cleaner in it. And used starter fluid to get it running. As I said it seems to start fine after it warms up. But let it sit for more than 15-20 min. It’s back to not starting again. Run fine also under power.

 

[MattFL]

It is not unusual for a carbureted motor to need some choke and a little bit of throttle to keep it running for a short time after a cold start, until it warms up a bit. If it has been sitting for 5 years with gas in it then I would definitely clean the carburetors anyway, but even with a clean carburetor the need for choke and a little throttle the first start of the day is not unusual.

 

[Nockydavex]

This has an electronic choke which unfortunately I cannot adjust to my knowledge. Read something about them going bad. Guess I’ll disassemble the carb and clean and go from there

 

[ahicks]

This has an electronic choke which unfortunately I cannot adjust to my knowledge. Read something about them going bad. Guess I’ll disassemble the carb and clean and go from there

Need to confirm the year and HP of the motor. First, there are no 2002 20hp motors. Second, if there were 2002 20hp motors, they would have MANUAL chokes. Honda didn't start using electric chokes until 2006 or so.