I just baught the boat used with this motor 2001 Johnson 115 4 cylinder. The motor runs great once I get it started, hence the help. The motor is very hard to start when cold, even on warm to hot days. It takes a really long time to get started. I always pump the priming bulb, Push the choke in when initially trying to start it, fresh fuel, changed spark plugs, it seems as if it is not firing at all, then after a couple long minutes it will act like it is trying to start then it finally starts and runs like a champ. I am at a lost I've never seen a motor that runs this good that is so hard to start. Any suggestions?

I had the same issue with a 90 HP v-4 and found it was a bad fuel pump diaphragm. Does your bulb stay hard?

No it does not, Is it hard to replace if thats the problem

You can get a replacementbulb/line anywhere marine parts are available. One side plugs into the motor and the other is clamped to the fuel tank pickup. Also check the fuel filter. Is it a VRO model? If so, you could be looking at bigger problems

Are you holding the primer while cranking it? if not, you should. Are you sure the primer solenoid is holding while you are cranking? Sometimes a weak battery will crank the motor over, but pulls down so much the solenoid does not hold. As for the primer bulb staying hard, that's not going to happen, as soon as you hit the primer, any pressure in the system will be released.

One way to test the primer is pump the bulb up until firm, hold some pressure on the bulb and have someone turn the key switch on and press the primer and the pressure should release. You can put too much pressure on the bulb and still be able to squeeze it because you will push the needles off the seats. (by the way, it's a Primer, not a Choke, an it only primes the engine while the engine is cranking over) Now, you can have someone hold the key in to prime the engine (with the switch on) and squeeze the bulb several times while holding it and it should start just fine. If the pressure is not releasing when the key is pressed, then there's a problem, and you are not activating the primer solenoid or it's not releasing fuel into the engine.

Another thing you can try is pump the bulb as usual before cranking, turn the key on, press and release the primer, only crank the motor a couple of seconds and quit, press and release the primer again,crank it again a couple of seconds. Do this a few times and then try to start it. This will get around the primer dropping out when the battery is dropping too low and letting the primer drop out.

It works by the basic principle, it has to get fuel into the engine when the key is pressed in. It has to have fuel pressure to release fuel in the engine. The engine only has fuel pressure when you are either squeezing the primer bulb or the engine is cranking over.

Thanks for the help so far, at work right now but will try the primer test when I get home. Keep ideas coming, I'll post when I figure out what this problem is. Again Thanks

I am in total agreement with the way these posts are going, it sounds like some sort of fuel issue for sure, one thing I have not seen mentioned or I may have read over it.

Make sure you check the quick connect at the engine base where the fuel line comes to the engine's base.

They have "O"-rings in there that can allow air to be sucked in while trying to start, or while cranking, once the "O"-rings get bad enough they will start causing running issues as well.

If the system is old I would suggest replacing the entire fuel line anyway, the last thing you want is to be out on the water somewhere broke because of something as simple as a fuel line.