Hard Starting 88SPL

[pennyanman1]

Now that the weather turned cooler, my 88SPL is kind of grouchy about starting. I do my standard "count to 5" priming, and the motor almost instantly starts, but dies just as quickly, this repeats several times, with the one difference being I don't prime as much, even if I bump the primer as it starts to die. Eventually it floods. After a minute or two it starts and runs perfectly the rest of the day. I'm putting Sta-Bil in the gas this time of year, and not running every weekend, but it seems like the motor should start more easilly. I miss my old 115 with the thermostaticly controlled choke. that ALWAYS started first time. Any ideas?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Hard Starting 88SPL

Are you raising the fast idle lever a little to assist with the cold start? In cold weather you should be priming more, not less.

 

[Joe Reeves]

Re: Hard Starting 88SPL

(Proper Starting Method)
(J. Reeves)

NOTE: If your engine is equipped with an electric ckoke, substitute the words "Electric Choke" in place of "Primer Solenoid".

Cold Engine: Pump fuel primer bulb up hard. Increase throttle somewhat with whatever type control you might have. Turn key to start position. As engine cranks over, push in key to activate fuel primer solenoid. When engine fires/starts, release the key. Should engine start to die out, push key in (just a tap) as needed to activate primer solenoid in order to momentatily increase the fuel flow.

Warm engine: Pump fuel primer bulb up hard. Turn key to start position. When engine fires/starts, release the key. If engine does not fire/start within 6 revolutions, push in key to activate fuel primer solenoid as needed.

This is assuming that the engine is as it should be in all respects (Compression, Ignition, Carburetion, Fuel Supply, etc).