hard to start cold

[SilverSS07]

Took the boat out for the first time this year. Engine is a 1983 Evinrude 140. I found out last week that the primer solenoid was wired incorrectly and wasn't working before so I repaired that and it seems to be working. I pushed the key in a few times before cranking when the motor was cold but it didn't want to start. If I take the cowl off and turn the red lever to manual start it starts right up. What else should I check?

 

[Daviet]

Re: hard to start cold

Have you checked the solenoid for fuel flow?
Disconnect the small hoses going from the solenoid to the manifold, pump the primer bulb till firm, push in the key without the engine running and see if you get fuel out of the small lines.

 

[boobie]

Re: hard to start cold

You have to push the key in when cranking and hold it in until it starts.

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: hard to start cold

Thanks guys. Didn't have time to check the lines for fuel flow yet but I did try keeping the key in when trying to start. Still no luck. What I did notice when I tried keeping to keep the key in to start the other day is that after I got it started by turning the red lever I was going to put the cowl on when it was running and got shocked. So I'm assuming the plug wires are bad. Ordered a set this morning. Could the weak spark be the problem? That would explain why it started when I manually turned the lever with the cowl off. Last year I ran it for a bit with the cowl off and it seemed to run a LOT better. I just assumed it was because it was choking down the airflow with the cowl on...

 

[racerone]

Re: hard to start cold

One of the plug wires / boots could be shorting to the metal pieces of the cowling.---Do you hear a click from the primer when you turn the key to " on " and push the key in ??------The key must be pushed in while cranking.--Pushing the key in while not cranking is not the proper procedure.

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: hard to start cold

Yes the primer solenoid is clicking when I push the key in. I should have the plug wires in a few days so I'll be able to mess with it this weekend.

 

[wayneo99]

Re: hard to start cold

with motor running push key in and hold it for a few seconds, if it starts to stall the primer system is working correctly.

 

[MikDee]

Re: hard to start cold

From what I've found, If you have metal core wires, and got shocked, and do not have resistor plugs, that could be why! Without the plugs built in resistor the spark goes unstable, and can cause arcing, crossfire, + shocks. With the resistor plugs, the spark is directed to the firing tip.

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: hard to start cold

Ok got my new plug wires and am no longer getting zapped. I disconnected the smaller lines and pushed the key in. Solenoid is clicking but no fuel coming out of it. I pulled the line coming from the fuel log and there is fuel going to the solenoid. Last year I did break the top off the primer solenoid replaced it and the gasket. Is there anything I can tell by taking it apart or do I just have to replace the whole thing?

 

[racerone]

Re: hard to start cold

The solenoid is not a pump !-It is an electric valve.-----It must have pressure supplied to it from the fuel pump when motor is cranking.----When cranking motor to start the key must be pushed in and held in untill motor fires up.

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: hard to start cold

I am familiar with how solenoids work. Sorry I was under the impression that there would be enough pressure for fuel to come out of the solenoid from pumping up the bulb. I'll try cranking it with the lines disconnected and key pushed in and check for fuel. I cranked the engine over for probably a total of 30 seconds (not all at once) with the key pushed in and it wouldn't start. Fired up instantly when turned to manual start. Once it was running I pushed the key in and the engine ran a little rough but did not come close to stalling out.

 

[Bosunsmate]

Re: hard to start cold

Sounds like your primer is stuffed since turning it to manual instantly fixed it. Cranking for 30seconds can overheat and damge your starter quick.
You might be able to take primer apart and find a short in it or you might be best to just buy one, you can get them here on this site then you will be much less likely to have it fault again when you are out away from land

 

[Daviet]

Re: hard to start cold

Most fuel solenoids have a small filter in them, maybe yours is plugged.

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: hard to start cold

Ok I tried cranking the engine with the key in and at most got a few small drops of fuel out of the solenoid. I took the solenoid apart and everything looks good. Filter is clean, gasket is in good shape, no dirt or corrosion on anything.

 

[racerone]

Re: hard to start cold

Check output of fuel pump when cranking.

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: hard to start cold

Ok I'll check that next. I want to make sure I had the top of the solenoid on correctly. Which way should the red lever be facing when I put it together?

 

[racerone]

Re: hard to start cold

The red lever is to be inline with the valve body.

 

[SilverSS07]

Re: hard to start cold

Well put it back together and it works fine. Sprays out fuel like crazy.