Cold starting problems

A

Arthur

Member
Joined
Oct 12, 2003
RO Number
12318
Messages
6
I have a 1995 Johnson "Venom" 200 H.P. outboard and when it's cold it usually starts ok but runs rough and stalls freqently while trying to warm it up. It starts back up right away but it's hard to keep it running even with the throttle advanced a little to increase the rpm's. I have checked and the primer solenoid is working fine except for a small fuel leak, and I checked all the plugs and they all looked good and all looked the same, pretty clean so I just cleaned them up a little and put them back in. Also even after being out running the boat then sitting for a while the motor starts ok but sometimes bogs down and stalls on acceleration, it starts back up but needs to be eased into to accelerate. Help, Thanks
 
Are you kidding me? is there no one out there with anything to help me out?
icon_speech_ugh.gif
 
It is a Saturday, during prime time boating season, and you expect boaters to be cruising the internet?

btw: while it is likely you will get an answer here, you would have been better served posting to the "engines" forum, rather than Ask The Captain.

I do not know what the problem is, and frankly, you really do not want me working on your outboard... :) That is one of the few jobs that I pass off to the experts. Be patient. You will get a useful answer soon.
 
Fix the fuel hose/bulb leak first. If that doesn't help, rebuild the carbs. Good luck
 
Authur, I've recently been through a similar situation on my 2000 Johnson Ocean Pro 200 hp and found the Rancor fuel filter/water separator was clogged. Before rebuilding carbs, check the entire fuel system from the fuel tank to the engine. Make sure the strainer on the end of the fuel pickup line is clean (you may have junk in the bottom of the tank). Make sure all filters are clean and unobstructed. Make sure all fuel line clamps are tightly fastened. Double check the ends of lines where the clamps hold the hoses to the fittings - the lines will sometimes crack on the ends and let air in. Make sure there are no air leaks around the primer bulb.

A fuel system obstruction (clogged filter or strainer) may cause the primer bulb to go flat when the engine is running at higher speeds. That's a sure sign.

Does the engine have an automatic oiler versus having to mix the oil? If you have a fuel obstruction or air leak it may be oiling excessively (smoking a little extra). When the air motor (fuel and oil pump) cycles thinking it is getting a supply of fuel it also cycles pumping oil - so being starved for fuel it oils excessively. Is the oil consumption out of proportion with the fuel (proportionately more oil used than it should)? That's a possible sign of fuel obstruction. If you can eliminate all of these possibilities, then look at the carbs or the air motor that pumps fuel and oil. Eliminate the simple issues first then move to more complicated = eliminate the inexpensive first before moving to the more expensive.

After going through this same process on mine - it starts easily cold, uses less oil and in the right proprotions and runs much cleaner, smoother and doesn't cut off. No adjustments and no carb rebuilding which is more complicated than it might appear.
 
Thanks guys, that's more like it, thanks to Mackeral hunter for the info, I'll double check everything.
 
Authur - I assumed the obvious - you are working with fresh and clean fuel. If not start there then work through the list I mentioned above.
 
Then again, I'm not familiar with your particular model engine, I once had a Johnson 2 stroke that would only run on 2 cylinders until it warmed and there was nothing anyone, including Johnson, could do about it. :)
 
FWIW, I've got a 99 225 Johnson. You have to choke it to death cold and hold the choke a few seconds after it starts. After that it should do better.
 
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