Hard start when cold

[cougar15]

Hi, I'm a new boat owner (I inherited my brother old boat when he upgraded) and I'm now trying to learn how to get the most out of my older outboard. I've read a lot on this forum and some of the posts sound somewhat similar but not close enough for me to have a good idea as to where to start with my current problem.<br /><br />I have a 1977 70HP Evinrude outboard (inline 3 cylinder). The problem I'm having is that when the motor is cold (or has been shut off for a while after running) it is hard to start and keep running. <br /><br />What usually happens is when I turn the key the motor will start and run for a couple of seconds then die (it will sometimes take a couple of tries for it to catch). In order to keep the motor running I have to drop it into gear immediately after starting and give a little throttle and then it will run fine. After it's been running for a few minutes, I can shut it down and it will restart with no problem. It will also idle in neutral with no problem. If (after running for a while) I shut down and let it sit for a while, I will again have to give it throttle to keep it running. Applying the choke does not appear to help.<br /><br />I have tried pumping the fuel bulb before starting and starting without pumping. When the motor quits after running for a few minutes the fuel bulb is usually somewhat soft but I have found that if I pump the bulb too much the motor will flood and will then have to sit for a while before it will even try to start.<br /><br />I have replaced the gas tank (portable) and fuel line and have fresh gas in the tank.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Hard start when cold

Welcome to iboats. Sounds like it might be time to clean and rebuild the carbs. There will be others along with better opinions than mine. Meanwhile, you might use the red search feature at the top of the page for solutions. Might try things like "cold start" or "hard starting".

 

[hamburgerman]

Re: Hard start when cold

Try choking it at first give it a drink I call it it. will fire up for a second then try no choke I had this same motor a few years ago had to do this a few times to warm it up.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Hard start when cold

you can try adjusting your idle stop screw. you choke button on the motor has 3 positions, all the way in is completely off, 1 click out is the positon that the remote button should operate the choke. turn the key on and choke the motor without starting, to make sure your choke circuit is working. all the way out is the manual choke. also after sitting for a while before you start it try pumping the bulb a couple of times.

 

[cougar15]

Re: Hard start when cold

Thanks for the suggestions. <br /><br />I am planning on giving the motor the seafoam treatment this weekend, I just have not decieded on which method; in the gas or deep creep down the carbs or both... On a side note, how long can an outboard be safely run at idle using muffs?<br /><br />I will try the start with choke then with out method next time I start her up.<br /><br />Is it possible that type/brand of fuel oil could make a differance? My brother used OMC brand oil but I decieded to try a full synthetic. I am not opposed to switching back if it will help.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Hard start when cold

Oil brand or type shouldn't matter for starting -- unless of course the mixture is wrong.

 

[Walker]

Re: Hard start when cold

What type of controls do you have. Every one I've ever seen had some system where you can apply throttle during warm-up without putting it in gear.

 

[cougar15]

Re: Hard start when cold

Originally posted by Walker:<br /> What type of controls do you have. Every one I've ever seen had some system where you can apply throttle during warm-up without putting it in gear.

This motor only has a warm-up lever control, when you lift the lever it sets the idle higher. It's an on/off kind of control, you can't vary the amount of increase in the idle speed. On this motor there is no way (that I know of) to increase the throttle without being in gear other than the warm-up lever. I wish there was a way as it would make things much easier.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Hard start when cold

If you can flood the engine with the primer bulb, I think I would take firemans suggestion about cleaning/rebuilding the carbs. Flooding the engine with the primer bulb suggest's the inlet needles aren't seating and may be wore out.

 

[fireman57]

Re: Hard start when cold

Walker he has the old what I call single throw. One handle with the button under the knob on the handle that you have to push in to go into gear. You can't just give it a little throttle in neutral as it won't go without you pushing in the button and then it goes into gear. Pain in the patootie. Throttle and shifting are all together. I picked up two handle setup on ebay. Got tired of not being able to warm up on idle without the warm up lever.

 

[OBJ]

Re: Hard start when cold

If the carbs are clean, the sync & link good, the warm up lever should give you all the throttle you need to warm up an engine. If it's not, then there is a problem. In cases like this, I've found most of the time it's caused by the owner who keeps turning up the idle using the throttle cables trunion nut or they keep running the idle adjust screw in. Both takes away from the idle levers control of idle speed.