Motor very hard to start

mkrupp

Seaman
Joined
Jul 18, 2006
Messages
59
The motor is an 87 8 hp evinrude. Model # e8rcud. I was fishing the other night and i ran wot to my spot, It took about 10 minutes to get there. When i got there i put it in neutral and turned it off. So i sat there for an hour and a half, went to start it and i had to pull and pull and pull. It wouldn't start, i tried to choke it, nothing, i disconected the fuel line to try and get some gas out of the cylinders, that didn't help.

So i let it sit for 10 min. Thougt i would try and pull again, it took awhile but it started and ran fine for the trip back, When it wouldn't start it smelled real gassy. I didn't check the plugs when i got back but i know i should have. I will replace them anyway. By the way what plugs should be used in here?

Any ideas on what was going on??

thanks
 

iwombat

Captain
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
3,767
Re: Motor very hard to start

That motor has a primer, not a choke. You may have just flooded it. That can take awhile to work itself out. Can you describe your starting procedure?

Plugs are listed as QL77JC4 or QL86C. I'm running QL77JC4 on mine. But, I have a set of the other sitting around and was considering using those come replacement time.

So . . . as long as we're on the topic.

Anyone have any preferences for either?
 

jtexas

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 13, 2003
Messages
8,646
Re: Motor very hard to start

did ya check the primer bulb? it should stay firm for more than 90 minutes, sometimes they don't.
 

mkrupp

Seaman
Joined
Jul 18, 2006
Messages
59
Re: Motor very hard to start

yea the primer bulb was hard, as far as starting procedure goes: i pulled the starter rope, that usually is enough to get it going after its been run, then i pulled out the choke, or primer, it's the knob left of the starter rope, and pulled some more. Nothing so i let it sit.

Is there a way to clear a flooded engine without letting it sit?
 

iwombat

Captain
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
3,767
Re: Motor very hard to start

Well, I think there's your problem. To prime the engine you pull out and push in. I don't think pulling out does much. The primer is a pump that squirts a little gas in the manifold. It just needed a little priming to get started.
 

mkrupp

Seaman
Joined
Jul 18, 2006
Messages
59
Re: Motor very hard to start

so that's not a choke to the left of the starter rope? huh, it's a primer, well that is certainly good to know.
Thanks
 

mkrupp

Seaman
Joined
Jul 18, 2006
Messages
59
Re: Motor very hard to start

oh yea, should the plugs be gapped at .030?
thanks
 

iwombat

Captain
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
3,767
Re: Motor very hard to start

Plugs at .030 or a little larger (up to .040) if you're doing a lot of trolling. A lot of folks don't like the primer, personally I think it's nice for these small motors. With the older 6 and 8's with chokes you always had to be pretty quick to push the choke in just as the motor got running or you were flooded out and had to crank again. With the primer, it's prime and pull and you're running.
 

jtexas

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Oct 13, 2003
Messages
8,646
Re: Motor very hard to start

Plugs at .030 or a little larger (up to .040) if you're doing a lot of trolling. A lot of folks don't like the primer, personally I think it's nice for these small motors. With the older 6 and 8's with chokes you always had to be pretty quick to push the choke in just as the motor got running or you were flooded out and had to crank again. With the primer, it's prime and pull and you're running.

ok, but my dad still has our early-'70s 6 in his garage, maybe 20 years since its last use - as I recall, you needed almost the entire length of the rope to cold start it on the first pull - pushing the choke in was a reflex action - warm of course it just took about 12 or 18 inches. ;)
 

iwombat

Captain
Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
3,767
Re: Motor very hard to start

I still have a '76 SS 6hp I use on my livingston. You pretty much described the procedure. Big big big crank and as your hand guides the rope in you bump the choke.

Warm they're just peachy.


All-in-all I think the primer is a much better system for that motor.
 
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