Johnson 30 cold start issues

[Lonestargumby62]

I have a 2002 Johnson 30 Tiller Rope Start, that just gives me fits when starting cold each day. I have good fuel line pressure, the choke and carb/primer is working well, etc. Unfotunately it takes a good 40 - 50 pulls on the rope to get the engine started; any suggestions? I have had this issue from day one (1) with this (purchased new) engine.

Once the engine is warmed up for the day, it will re-start with only a half-hearted effort on the rope (i.e. even after sitting for a few hours while fishing). However getting the first 40 - 50 pulls in each morning is killing my arm and shoulder. I am even considering converting this engine to an electric start as that might be a solution to save my arm & shoulder.

I am open to any ideas that anyone might want to share including replacing the engine with something that starts and runs. :redface:

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Johnson 30 cold start issues

We always begin to answer questions like this with "What is your current starting procedure? Obviously something is wrong with it because no engine should take that much tugging to get started. You said the choke and carb/primer is working well. How do you know that. Cold start issues are typically because of that. Cold two strokes require lots of fuel during initial startup. So here is what needs to happen.

1) Squeeze the primer bulb until firm.
2) Set throttle to the START position.
3) If this engine has a choke, turn it on. If it has a primer push it several times -- this is what squirts fuel directly into the engine. The primer bulb in the hose only fills the carburetor bowl. Note: If you were waiting until now to squeeze the primer bulb in the fuel line, it is too late. The primer on the engine needs to have fuel in the carb before it can work.
4) With the ignition on (if there is an on-off switch), pull the cord.

 

[bktheking]

Re: Johnson 30 cold start issues

Have you checked the compression? Carb ever been adjusted by someone. I find that goods that don't run right since purchase something is not setup properly on the carb.

 

[Lonestargumby62]

Re: Johnson 30 cold start issues

Silvertip: Thanks for your reply. I (we) follow the cold-start procedures in the owners manual (as you have outlined). Primer bulb has good pressure; throttle set to 'Start' position; pull choke all the way out and back in 2 times and 3rd time pull to red line (as per manual); check to ensure primer bulb still has good pressure; begin pulling rope all the way.

The engine sounds like it wants to catch on 1st pull; but doesn't. Then we begin the process of pulling the rope-starter again and again until we nearly give up in desperation.

After many pulls (~ 2 - 3 dozen), we close the choke, take off the engine cover, etc. Usually if we have two (2) people, we then open the trottle all-the-way while the other person continues to pull the rope start. Eventually we are successful in getting the engine to start, but it takes another 2 - 3 dozen pulls with the cover off, throttle wide open (1 person holding throttle wide open) and another pulling the rope. It has been this way since day one (1), but then it only took about 1 - 2 dozen pulls total to get the (damn) engine running; now we are up into the fifty to sixty range.

bktheking: no, I have not checked the compression, but I would not have expected to since this has been an issue from day one (1) and the engine was purchased new. To my knowledge, the carb has not been adjusted, unless the boat engine shop has done that while storing the engine over the winter (it is kept in New England, the northeast).

Thanks for your suggestions guys, I am open to any other ideas too.

 

[Daviet]

Re: Johnson 30 cold start issues

Have you checked the primer to make sure it is pumping fuel into carb? Just thinkin.