Stumbles on start up? Primer Solenoid? Spark plug gap??

[Zack19919853]

1990 88 spl stumbles on start up.. thinking it might be the primer solenoid possibly? I bought marine grade 2 stroke oil from o’Riley’s. Is there a brand this motor likes best? Should I run regular ol 87 octane or maybe higher? After it starts up and stumbles a little and evens out like maybe it’s flooded? After I get home I run the carburetors empty and clean the spark plugs and make sure the gap is 40. Unless It’s supposed to be 30 I have read different many times so just went with 40..

 

[oldboat1]

Go with .030.

 

[racerone]

This is not a fuel injected motor.------After the motor fires up the operator has to know of the need to push the key in momentarily when motor falters.----Has to be done till motor warms and smooths out.

 

[Rick.]

Depending on ambient temperature I may have to push my key in two even three times till the engine warms up enough to run without prime.

 

[oldboat1]

Not too remarkable, imo. But the larger gap may be a factor. OMC flirted with that gap but went back to .030, also flirted with 100:1 fuel ratio but went back to 50:1.

Having said that, you may be due for some ignition or carb maintenance -- but would think in terms of starting procedure first.

[Edit. idle advance/warm-up lever on remote control box?]

 

[racerone]

They never recommended / flirted with 100:1 on the 1990 model 88 SPL motors !!!----No oil injection on the 88 SPL models and always to be run at 50:1.

 

[oldboat1]

true enough. recommendation was an '80s gift that sometimes live on.

 

[racerone]

The 100:1 was on motors from 6 to 30 HP for a couple of years.----Huge blunder on the part of marketing department !!

 

[Zack19919853]

This is not a fuel injected motor.------After the motor fires up the operator has to know of the need to push the key in momentarily when motor falters.----Has to be done till motor warms and smooths out.

I’ll mess with it today and see if I hold the primer a little more to see if it’ll start up better. I usually do for 8 seconds with throttle half way up then start.

 

[Zack19919853]

Not too remarkable, imo. But the larger gap may be a factor. OMC flirted with that gap but went back to .030, also flirted with 100:1 fuel ratio but went back to 50:1.

Having said that, you may be due for some ignition or carb maintenance -- but would think in terms of starting procedure first.

[Edit. idle advance/warm-up lever on remote control box?]

I’ll go with .030 and see if that’ll help before I mess with the primer factors. I usually primer it for 8 seconds with throttle half way up then start. Will give update either today or tomorrow

 

[racerone]

Well----First you must understand that the electric primer is a valve and not a pump.----So pushing the key in for 8 seconds wastes 6 1/2 seconds of fishing time.----Push the key in and hold it in while cranking till motor fires !!

 

[flyingscott]

I’ll mess with it today and see if I hold the primer a little more to see if it’ll start up better. I usually do for 8 seconds with throttle half way up then start.

Pushing the key in before you start the motor does nothing the primer is a valve not a pump, The key needs to be pushed in while the motor is turning over

 

[Zack19919853]

Well----First you must understand that the electric primer is a valve and not a pump.----So pushing the key in for 8 seconds wastes 6 1/2 seconds of fishing time.----Push the key in and hold it in while cranking till motor fires !!

I know it’s not a pump.. I know it’s a valve. lol but I thought to press in for a bit and if needed it press while it’s started. Maybe my problem? I’m opening the valve and not doing anything then cranking without pushing the primer. Which vacuum sucks the gas from the primer correct?

 

[flyingscott]

No once the motor is turning over the fuel pump works and THAT pushes fuel through the primer into the motor.

 

[racerone]

The primer needs pressure in order to squirt fuel into the carburetor air flow !!!!!-----That pressure comes from the fuel pump when the motor is cranking.------I can't believe the mis-understandings on such a simple device.----No vacuum involved in the operation of the primer.

 

[Zack19919853]

The primer needs pressure in order to squirt fuel into the carburetor air flow !!!!!-----That pressure comes from the fuel pump when the motor is cranking.------I can't believe the mis-understandings on such a simple device.----No vacuum involved in the operation of the primer.

Didn’t ask for such rude remark.. but thanks for the advice.... if you would have entailed that into your first statement I wouldn’t have asked such a question. I didn’t know the fuel pump worked the primer also... But my simple questions needed such a simple answer. I’m here for a reason, for asking question.. makes me not even feel the need to ask anymore if you make people such as myself feel dumb

 

[Zack19919853]

No once the motor is turning over the fuel pump works and THAT pushes fuel through the primer into the motor.

Thank you for the better understanding. I wasn’t sure and maybe not fully focused because I am at work.. idk why this didnt register in my head before.. I didn’t know the fuel pump worked the primer. All makes more sense now lol Which why holding it in before cranking does absolutely nothing..

 

[racerone]

Sorry ----But when the student is willing the learn , the teacher may show up.----It can be difficult to explain simple outboard motor stuff to folks who have put ideas from neighbors or launch ramp experts into their operators manual.

 

[Zack19919853]

Sorry ----But when the student is willing the learn , the teacher may show up.----It can be difficult to explain simple outboard motor stuff to folks who have put ideas from neighbors or launch ramp experts into their operators manual.

Totally understand lol thanks for the advice that you have given me!!

 

[Rick.]

great comment regarding fishing time. Lol. I should say if mine starts to stumble I push the key in but I don't hold it in. May have to bump it this way a few times in order to get it warmed up enough.