13 replies to this topic

[#BassKing]

I have a 1993 Nitro with a 1993 Johnson 115 and it seems like everytime i go fishing it takes too long to get the motor started. Then sometimes when I stop to fish a spot then try to start it again to move, it'll take a little while to start up. Why is this?

[noway]

Insure motor is level before starting.

[smoke63b]

I had this problem on my little 2 stroke mercury 50hp. It ended up being a break in the wire that went to the choke from the key. So in other words, when I though I was hitting the choke, it wasn't doing anything. Ither than that, it's a really broad question that would be hard to answer based on the limited information.

[Sam]

Too many variables.

Weak cranking battery.

Needs spark plugs.

Needs service.

Electrical problem to or in the motor.

Take the motor to a Johnson authorized dealer for service. You will not be disappointed and the motor will run like you expect it to run.

[Sam]

Check fuel lines, too. Ethonol tears them up.

Water in fuel line or tank? Use some Marine Sta-Bil or Sea Foam in the gas tank.

As I said above, too many variables to consider.

[tomustang]

A good start would be when your last service was.

[Way2slow]

I might be able to help you out but since my crystal ball's in the shop for repair, I'm going to need you to try some things and this will not be an instant diagnoses, because it may take a couple of trips to the lake. The first thing you need to check is to see if the primer is working properly. So, the next time you go to the lake I need for you to try something. Pump the bulb is up nice and firm just before launching the boat. Take the engine cover off and find the little red lever on the side of the primer solenoid and rotate it 180 degrees to manually open it. I would say until it's sticking up but not sure which way the solenoid is mounted on that motor. After doing this, squeeze the primer bulb two or three good times, rotate the red lever back to it's closed position and pump the bulb again to firm it back up. Back the boat in and see how it starts. Note, the normal closed position for the manual primer lever is pointing in line with the solenoid and pointing toward the longest part of the solenoid.

If you have this same problem starting it in driveway on a hose, you can try it there. Too many time though, one starts a whole lot easier on the hose than in the lake because there is no back pressure being put on it by it sitting a couple of feet down in the water, so one may start at the touch of the key in the driveway and not start for he** in the water. That's why it idles about 500 rpm higher on the hose also.

[joefish]

I have a 2000 Johnson 115hp that takes a while to start first time for the day. After that touch key and Varooooom.
Had an 1989 Evinrude was the same way. Just figured that the OMC's were cold natured.

[Nodda4me]

Too many variables.

Weak cranking battery.

Needs spark plugs.

Needs service.

Electrical problem to or in the motor.

Take the motor to a Johnson authorized dealer for service. You will not be disappointed and the motor will run like you expect it to run.

definitely not the battery with them symptoms, if the battery didn't have enough cranking amps to crank the motor, it wouldn't start at all, and by attempting to crank it over, it will then take more juice from the battery, making it have even less cranking amps due to a dying battery

[#BassKing]

Batteries good, I just change it about a month ago. I guess they are just cold natured possibly idk.

[Way2slow]

Cold natured is just a term for a problem someone doesn't want to fix.

[#BassKing]

Ha good one.

[Deadeye-1]

I have a 1996 Evinrude 40 hp with 2 carbs. When I bought the guy that had it told me to always start the motor with the idle lever in the down position, then raise it up after it started. Often I had problems getting it to run or stay running until warm.

However, when I had to take it to a local shop to get the carbs super cleaned after the Ethanol distroyed the insides of my fuel lines (I was using Stabil Marine at the time, now I only use Star*Tron) I talked to the owner. He has more years working on Johnson-Evinrudes than I have been alive. He told me with the older motors the Timing Advance does not work until the engine starts. To over come this and make the engine start easier (even when hot) raise the idle lever All The Way UP. This manually advances the timing and allows the engine to start better.

Since I started doing this my motor starts like never before. When cold I prime the bulb, raise the lever, push in the key (choke), and turn it over. Usually starts right away. He also told me to bump the key (choke) a few times when first starting. You will know how/when after doing it a few times.

Hope this helps you with yours as well.

Also note that with the new EFI motors this is not needed as the system does it all for you.

[GLADES]

If the motor has carbs, you have to prime the motor with the enrichener for 3-5 seconds, and then move the throttle halfway to give some gas(in neural). My 1987 Merc starts every time this way. Once it fires, pull back on the throttle.