How to make it start on first turn

[tpcolson]

I got a Johnson 70 HP, '82, that runs "well". Thing is, it's a ***** to start. Have "push to choke" ignition. Replaced the plugs, wires, coils, choke, starter solenoid, rebuilt carbs, new gaskets on carbs and air box......new battery<br /><br />Still takes 10 or so cranks to get it started, no matter what I'm doing with the choke. <br /><br />How can I improve starting performance? These guys at the dock with the 100,000$ bass boats have no patience while I prime and choke the motor, drain the float bowels for 1/2 an hour. Fish might get away.

 

[Eldiablo]

Re: How to make it start on first turn

dont know if this will help, but i had a jeep that did about the same thig that your talking about. without going into to much detail, turns out that it was a tiny bit of varnish on the float needle tha would stick when it sat for a couple hours, i rebuilt the carb, and ended up replacing it, it was my first rebuilb. when i did, no more starting problems.

 

[bmurray]

Re: How to make it start on first turn

My friends 79 Merc 175 was the worst I've seen about cold starting. He couldn't go anywhere without starting fluid. An old dock hand at Bridgeport resort on Tablerock Lake MO suggested to try something. Primed the buld rock hard. Opened the fast idle about 3/4. Choked while turned over. Woked like a charm. Now no need for any starting fluid.. Give this a try, it also worked on my 85 Johnny 150. good luck<br /><br />Thanks Leon for the tip!

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: How to make it start on first turn

Assuming all else is okay, your starting procedure should be, check that bulb is primed, lift the neutral warm-up all the way, hold the choke in and turn the key. Using the choke as a plunger does nothing, you have to hold it in. Be ready to bring down the warm-up lever so you don't race the engine too much. Also, is your choke actually working? With the hood off, you should see the choke solenoid actuating the choke linkage on the carbs...<br />- Scott

 

[revertmastec]

Re: How to make it start on first turn

I heard somewhere on here that if you hold the choke in for about 8-10sec. before you try to start they will fire right up.

 

[sloopy]

Re: How to make it start on first turn

ahw..... Just use ether

 

[KCLOST]

Re: How to make it start on first turn

I like bmurray's suggestions.<br /><br />But first, make sure you are following the proper starting procedure in your manual for that motor.<br />That's the most common problem I've seen with guys who can't get a motor started even though it runs good once they do.... I was doing it wrong myself until I checked into it.<br /><br />But bmurray's suggestion is much like the procedure in the manual for my 50hp merc.<br /><br />Prime the bulb until firm.<br />Advance the throttle (in neatral of course) until it reaches the fast idle stop location.<br />Turn the Key and choke (but don't over choke) if necessary.<br />When it fires give it more gas if needed and your in business.<br /><br />Just check your procedure before you start tearing into your motor. If it runs fine after you do get it started, I tend to think that there isn't really anything wrong with the carbs/fuel lines or whatever, it's just the starting procedure that is wrong... Just my .02...<br />Good luck...

 

[xp150]

Re: How to make it start on first turn

Well I had the same problem with a Evenrude 150.<br />went thru carbs twice,tried all the starting tips and nothing helped. I decarbed and now it cranks pretty easy. I'm not sure why this would make a difference unless I had stuff built up on the reed valves. Hope this helps.

 

[martyscher]

Re: How to make it start on first turn

50$boatman <br /><br />If your 70 is designed like my 2001 Johsnon 40, the "push to choke", is not really a choke, but an engine "primer", which just squirts a little gas into the carbs.<br /><br />Although both a choke and primer enrich the fuel mixture on a cold engine, obviously the two don't work the same.<br /><br />The primer squirts in gas which is quickly burned, where a real choke will richen the fuel mixture until you turn it off, after the engine has warmed up.<br /><br />If it is any consolation, my new motor starts exactly the same. Prime and crank, prime and crank. Setting the neutral speed up and pressing the "choke" every few seconds after cold start helps.<br /><br />After that, it runs fine.<br /><br />Good luck