Re: electric fuel pump
HOW TO START A CARBED TWO STROKE:
1) Squeeze primer bulb until firm. Note that this is the first step and it is MANDATORY if your engine has a primer solenoid rather than a butterfly style choke.
2) Raise the fast idle lever about 1/3 - 1/2. If you don't know what this is, on most JohnnyRude and Mercs, it is the flat lever on the top of the control box. On an enclosed side mount where you see only the lever, there is either a button to push or you pull outward on the throttle/shift handle and then forward to provide fast idle without putting the engne in gear. Fact: Carbed two strokes need a little throttle for cold starting except if you own a JohnnyRude with the Quick Start feature.
3) Turn the key to RUN (not START).
4) Push the key in and hold it for a count of 8 to 10. You are priming the engine at this time which is why squeezing the primer bulb is the first step in this process. Failure to do that means the primer cannot inject fuel because there is no pressure in the system. It also means that the primer solenoid must actually be working. You know it is if you hear it click each time you push the key in.
5) Turn the key to START and for heavens sake, when the engine fires, pull the fast idle idle down a bit to avoid racing the cold engine. Be ready to bump the key (push it quickly) should the engine begin to die. Don't wait until it quits -- you know if it is slowing down because you can hear it. You may need to bump the key a couple times.
6) When the engine is running smoothly, lower the fast idle lever all the way and go boating.
The alternate method is to replace step 3 and 4 with this: Turn the key to START while pushing it in and holding it until the engine fires. Either way works. Every one of my personal engines start quickest with the count of 8 process. But they also start fine with the alternate procedure.
The fast idle lever can be used on warm starts as well -- especially if the engine tends to start and die a couple times before it stays running. Using the primer should not be necessary on a warm start.
Lastly, a primer bulb does not stay firm after the engine starts so don't get the idea because it goes soft something is wrong. Once the engine starts fuel is being sucked through the line -- it is not under pressure.
