electric choke

[Dave512]

I have a 1997 Evinrude 25hp electric start motor. It is hard to start. I am trying to check things that I have read on this site. I think I have it narrowed down to the choke.<br /><br />When I push the key in, the choke plate should close completely? Where is this? All I see is the throttle plate. It is closed and only opens slightly by lifting the idle lever. <br /><br />If the electric choke only works when the engine is cranking, why did some have success when instructed to push the key (choke) in for 8 seconds, release, then turn key to start w/o pushing in? <br /><br />I am not seeing any movement of a choke plate when I push in the key and hear the solenoid click. Should I be able to see something closing?<br /><br />I have a manual on order, but I just wanted to get some information due to impatience.<br /><br />thanks,<br />Dave

 

[Daniel Beckman]

Re: electric choke

Still keep it in when you crank to make it work right.

 

[steviecops]

Re: electric choke

Hi<br />My understanding is that the choke plates should close when the key is pushed in. Thats what happens on my engine. Holding the key in before cranking won't do anything to aid starting with this type of choke.<br />When you have read about people holding the key in prior to starting, I think they are refering to a choke primer which pumps extra fuel into the carbs when the key is pushed in.<br /><br />I'm only a beginner, but thats my understanding of it anyway.<br /><br />Good luck<br />Steve

 

[Dave512]

Re: electric choke

I have tried holding it in for 8-10 seconds, then starting. <br />I have tried holding then starting.<br />I have tried just about everything.<br />Primer bulb is hard.<br />Idle lever in all positions.<br />New plugs.<br />Once started, it purrs and is easy to restart when warm.

 

[sterritt]

Re: electric choke

Dave - I've got an '01 25 HP. Great little engine.. Could start a little better cold, but mostly it just runs like hell until it warms up a bit - then it's purrs quietly after that. <br /><br />Spent alot of time playing with the fuel system (pump, choke, low speed jet settings). Seemed to be running lean, so had tuned it as rich as I could make it so it'd still idle well.<br /><br />Then thinking about it (and the double mix break in fuel) I pulled the plugs and took a look - pretty well fouled. Put a new set of plugs in - fired right up.. started nicely like that exactly once .. <br /><br />Was funny because it acted like it was lean, so I made it richer, but in reality the plugs were fouled and the extra fuel probably made it worse.. <br /><br />So, anyway, leaned it back out a touch after - helps some, but the problem is definitly fouling plugs and it isn't totally correctable.<br /><br />My .02 is to try starting it with a nice new clean set of plugs. If the problem goes away, chances are that's what you are dealing with.. try and lean it a bit (but not too much, that'll cause worse troubles than hard cold starting), but more/less I think it's a feature of these engines you gotta learn to live with.<br /><br />Jon

 

[Dave512]

Re: electric choke

Yesterday I tried no pushing of the key for 8 seconds before turning key. I think I have been flooding it and never knew it. Started right up.<br /><br />This is now the process:<br />Pump up bulb good and tight.<br />Pull idle lever up about half way.<br />Push in key and start at same time.<br />After first cranks, pump bulb because it may lose tightness from initial fuel draw.<br />It starts right up after that.<br /><br />I had read many posts about holding the key in for 8-10 seconds to electric prime before starting. In my case, this flooded it. I never smelled gas, so I did not think I was flooding it. <br /><br />Hopefully this may help some that have hard to start motors.<br /><br />Dave