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Proper Starting - I didn't think I was an idiot, but I just may be!

Vandalizer

Vandalizer

Well-known member
So I've finally had enough with trying different approaches to get cold starting correct, and I'm apparently doing it wrong. EVERY time I cold start, it acts like it doesn't want to fire. Warm starts are perfect. Here's my latest procedure:

1. Pump fuel bulb until firm.
2. Trim motor all the way down.
3. (the boat's already backed in to the water at this point)
4. Use shift disengage to place the throttle control lever only to it's first stop point (per my engine manual)
5. Attempt to start without choke.
6. After two tries, give up and choke the hell out of it, trying to not crank longer than 5s, but usually taking about 10s, and not on the first try.
7. Engine fires, warms up, runs like a champ.

By the way, per the instruction of the guy who rebuilt the block, I've disconnected the device that connects to the ignition modules with three wires- supposedly it had something to do with timing advance, and he worried that it could advance timing at full throttle and damage the internals.

Please help, I'm at the end of my rope here, and I really want to keep from damaging the engine by cranking too much (and I hope I haven't already).
 
personally I leave a slight uptrim to mota just in case theres any outflow of the carbs it runs out of the carb instead of down into carb.
 
on my 78 115 i gave up and gave it a shot of starting fluid to get it going. i drilled a hole in the front of the airbox in front of each carb. three small shots and it was fine. I only had to do this if it sat overnight or longer.
 
when I ran a in line 6 I always had a can of easy start on board too!!!!!!
but not good for high comp v 6's
 
Hopefully there's some long lost trick out there other than starter fluid- these things can't have been so poorly designed that they all had starting problems. (can they?)
And isn't starter fluid bad for the engine?

I am getting sick of all the cranking at the docks though- thank god I haven't killed the battery yet. That'd be a real b!tch!
 
First i wouldn't use quickstart in any of my 2strokes it's no safer to use on your motor than any other. My L6 start with no real problems at all. As stated leave motor trimmed either level or abit up, prime bulb till hard and a little squirt and give your throttle a little pump while turning over. Mine will usually start within the first 5 seconds even if it sat for a month.
 
Thanks Blizz- I was checking out some threads on this at iBoats (there are tons), and one of the most common comments was too pump the primer bulb past what you think is hard, then pump it again. This may be part of my problem. Does yours have the enrichener, or the choke plates? And can you fire it up without using it when it's cold?
You obviously advance the throttle lever before starting, but do you pump to 1/4 then back while cranking, or leave it at 1/4?
 
I don't trim it all the way up, just quick pop of the switch. If the carbs aren't getting enough with a little trim then I have bigger problems to face.
 
Tilt it level, squeeze the primer ball until firm (plus a little extra), advance the fast idle to about half, choke it like you're strangling an ex-wife while cranking. It'll start!!
 
Just to clarify, the 'throttle advance' you're talking about is just advancing the throttle while out of gear, correct? I've heard a bunch of different terms for this.
 
I got pics, just moved them from wife. Now I have to find them!!!!!!
It was about 1/4 of july party but still a good PARTY.I had PREMO spot.:cheers
 
I pump it while turning it over, if i do choke it it fires in a couple of revolutions. I will also state that the carbs on my motor haven't been touched or cleaned in over ten years and it will idle in gear at about 850-900rpms all day then jump on plane without hesitation. L6 like thier carbs to be synced more than most.
 
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