Starting in Cold Weather

[riden]

I have a 94 Evinrude 90 hp.

I live in northern Canada and it is starting to get cold. Tonight it will go below freezing, that is unusaul but the cold is getting the moose moving and I want to use my boat to hunt moose.

I bought the boat this spring, it is my 1st. Motor is in fine shape, never a problem starting it.

That said, how do these motors start when it is close to freezing? Any tips needed?

 

[DJ]

Re: Starting in Cold Weather

Follow this procedure.

1. Pump up primer bulb.

2. Turn key to ON-NOT START.

3. Push key in and count to eight.

4. Release key.

5. Turn key to start (do not hold in).

6. Engine will start.

7. "Bump" key in to keep engine running.

 

[glostah]

Re: Starting in Cold Weather

I understand the bumping, just a brief choke 'til the engine heats up - but what's up with opening the choke, then closing it?

I'm not questioning the method, I'm just trying to understand the logic here. I'm pretty new to this as well and would like to keep my boat in until late October at least.

 

[DJ]

Re: Starting in Cold Weather

Your engine doesn't have a choke. It has a primer.

By holding the key in for the eight count, you are giving it a good shot of fuel. Any longer and you'll flood it.

 

[riden]

Re: Starting in Cold Weather

I understand the bumping, just a brief choke 'til the engine heats up - but what's up with opening the choke, then closing it?

I'm not questioning the method, I'm just trying to understand the logic here. I'm pretty new to this as well and would like to keep my boat in until late October at least.

I didn't think there was a choke on the motor. I always thought this was a primer.

Someone in the know, who is right??

 

[riden]

Re: Starting in Cold Weather

Fine, beat me to it

 

[DJ]

Re: Starting in Cold Weather

There is no choke thus no choke butterflies. Just a primer solonoid and tubing to the intake manifold/reed block area..

 

[F_R]

Re: Starting in Cold Weather

I am not up to date on these newer motors, but would somebody please give me a good logical scientific explanation of exactly what is happening while you are sitting there holding the key in for 8 seconds? OK, so the primer is open to allow fuel to enter the manifold. But what is pumping or moving any fuel? Holding a door open doesn't mean anybody is going through it.

My motor also has a primer and the owner's manual says to push and hold the key in while turning to crank the motor. That's what I do and it always starts right up. Additional bumping is required to keep it running till it warms up a bit.

 

[DJ]

Re: Starting in Cold Weather

The pressure built up while pumping up the primer bulb makes the fuel move. When you turn the engine over, the fuel pump takes over.

I know the manual doesn't describe that procedure. It is a procedure that has been discovered by many OMC tech's, over the years to be be very helpful.

If your procedure works-fine.

However, the original question was posed by riden. His procedure was not working.