How to start on 1 or 2 pulls???

Areleus

Cadet
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Dec 12, 2007
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28
Friends,

I have an 1985 Evin 25 horse 2 stroke manual, what do all of you recommend for me to do to insure it starts on 1 or 2 pulls????

I pump the primer ball till its hard, then pull the choke once and pull, yet I have never been able to make it start on 1 or 2 pulls and its getting old.

Sometimes, it takes so much out of me, I don't feel like fishing!!

All suggestions are welcomed!
 

Chinewalker

Fleet Admiral
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Aug 19, 2001
Messages
8,902
Re: How to start on 1 or 2 pulls???

Hello Areleus,
I would start by making sure you have good plugs, good compression and good fuel. Being that your motor starts eventually and does run, I'm guessing you do have spark, so a spark check probably isn't necessary. If compression is low, the fuel is old, or the plugs are worn, hard starting may result.
Also, your "choke" is actually a primer. Trying pulling it out and pushing it back in three times before trying to start. You should hear a definite "squirting" sound when you do this.
- Scott
 

5150abf

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Aug 12, 2007
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5,808
Re: How to start on 1 or 2 pulls???

Like chinewalker said try different things,try 3, if that doesn't get it try 2, eventually you will figure out what the motor wants.
Change plugs, a plug can look new and not work and 2 strokes are really touchy with plugs.
 

Silvertip

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Sep 22, 2003
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28,771
Re: How to start on 1 or 2 pulls???

You said -- "I pull the choke once". What do you mean by that? Do what everyone suggested, but leave the choke pulled until the engine fires. If all you did was pull it out and push it back in again you accomplished nothing.
 

ezeke

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Sep 19, 2003
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12,532
Re: How to start on 1 or 2 pulls???

Silvertip is probably correct, that you have carburetors with choke plates and that [edit]the choke plates are useless if not engaged while you crank the engine.

For a cold start, pull the choke out and leave it out until the engine fires.

25HP models were also offered with electric primer solenoids that require holding the key in while cranking.

25HP models were also offered with a manual primer pumps that required pumping to get fuel to the intake manifold.
 

Areleus

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Dec 12, 2007
Messages
28
Re: How to start on 1 or 2 pulls???

Guys,

The carb is very good, the plugs are very good, but I think my mixing is not always the best.

Lets say you have either 6 gallon or 12 gallon tank, how do you mix it to insure the proper blending (and I do not mean 50:1), I mean how do you insure proper mixing???
 

ezeke

Supreme Mariner
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Sep 19, 2003
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12,532
Re: How to start on 1 or 2 pulls???

It will mix on its own fairly quickly, but usually you tip the tank a few times.

I put the oil, stabilizer and carbon treatment in my portable before the gasoline so that the force of the gasoline pump helps to mix it as well.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
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Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: How to start on 1 or 2 pulls???

The carb is very good, i'm going to say obviously they aren't or you would not have the problem. my 1955 15hp i never had to pull the 3rd time.
 

ezeke

Supreme Mariner
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Sep 19, 2003
Messages
12,532
Re: How to start on 1 or 2 pulls???

If your carburetors have choke plates and they (the choke plates) are not engaged by leaving the choke lever out, the choke plates would then be useless to you, not the carburetors.
 

jameskb2

Petty Officer 2nd Class
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Jul 26, 2007
Messages
191
Re: How to start on 1 or 2 pulls???

I does sound like fuel delivery. I agree, leave the choke pulled, (closed) until the engine fires, then push it in (open it)

One way I use to discern a fuel feed or delivery problem is to spray fuel into the throat of the carb. If it's gas starved, that'll tell me immediately.

Take an old pump sprayer, like you use to squirt window cleaner or the like, put a little premix in there, and give the engine a shot when cold. You should have the choke open, throttle closed. Then try and start it. If it fires first pull and dies, (which it should) then you have a dirty carb. The choke's function is to restrict air, forcing a rich fuel draw, which will cold fire the engine. This is why you "ease" the choke open once it's running, until it reaches operating temp, where the choke should be fully open. If you find that you have to "feather" the choke, even when the engine is warm, to keep it running, then you have poor fuel delivery. Most often it's the carb jets, but it can be the hose or primer bulb...ect.

I agree that good clean plugs are a must too. You should spark test it regardless. An engine will eventually run when coaxed with a weak spark, but a good, properly timed hot spark works wonders. It'll fire that fuel mix on the first touch.
 

steelespike

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Apr 26, 2002
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19,069
Re: How to start on 1 or 2 pulls???

If it is a primer type choke I think as suggested the number of primes may be the key.Try with no choke prime but firm primer bulb application.Keep adding primes until it results in a quick start.You may have to do this over a number of hours or days with a good runbetween to be sure any stray fuel has been used. If it has a simple choke butterfly be sure it closes and I would leave it applied until it fires.How it finally fires may be a key if it seems to stutter and smoke then it may be flooding if it fires and quickly revs then the cold"choke" may be too lean. Fuel/oil mix has little affect on ignition and operation.unless some how you got a slug of oil in the line highly unlikely with modern day oils.The old 30 or 40 weight might if combined at really high rates and un mixed.
 

itstippy

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Jul 17, 2003
Messages
548
Re: How to start on 1 or 2 pulls???

At this point, if you have not yet done a spark test you probably should. It's cheap and easy to do. Testers are available for about $10 at any automotive store. Don't get the kind of tester that just lights up - get the kind that makes the spark jump an adjustable gap. Remove both spark plugs, adjust the tester gap to 3/8", clip it to a good ground on the powerhead, attach a spark plug wire to it, and pull the starter cord. You should get a nice snappy blue spark. Test both sparkplug wires. At least you'll know what you've got for spark. You need good spark to start a cold motor.
 

wbeaton

Commander
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Jul 30, 2006
Messages
2,332
Re: How to start on 1 or 2 pulls???

Your motor has a primer not a choke. Pull the primer 3-5 times (start with 3) and then try to pull it over. Do not push the primer back in all the way. If it doesn't start after a few pulls you can give it one or two more, but no more or it will flood. Once its running, push the primer all the way in.
 

Tinman57

Seaman
Joined
Jun 10, 2007
Messages
52
Re: How to start on 1 or 2 pulls???

I had a 1986 Evinrude 25, and it had a manual primer instead of a choke. It was a dish-shaped knob on the front of the engine. Every time you pull it out and push it back in, it squirts gas into the carb.

On my engine, I squirted 4 or 5 times, but did not push it back in all the way. There is a red band on the knob shaft that indicates where the intermediate position is. Once the motor is warmed up, push the knob in all the way. It usually took 2 or 3 pulls to start a cold motor. Once warmed up, it started on a fraction of a pull - just give the cord a short yank and it fired right up.

It was a great engine and never broke down in 16 years of service in salt water.
 
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