Cold starting

Dobieman · 17 January 2018, 21:15

Hi all,
I have just got a 1999 40hp mercury 4 stroke with manual start and manual tilt and trim. (I wanted everything manual to keep things as simple as possible.)
It has carbs - so is obviously not fuel injection, the remote control only has a fast idle function, no key to push in to activate a choke as with electric start models fitted with a battery.
My question is should there be a manual choke to help with starting from cold or do these engines ‘get around’ this some other way?
I’m asking as it takes a fair few pulls to get going, once started and run for a couple of mins it starts again first pull.
Thanks.

jezza101 · 03 February 2018, 12:58

I have the same engine and mine has a manual choke. This is located in the bottom left of the Cowl as you look at the pull chord.

However some of these models were fitted with automatic choke and therefore do not need manual choke action from the user.

Dobieman · 03 February 2018, 13:18

Mine does not have any choke at all that I can see which is what has confused me.
I read somewhere to turn it over slowly 3 or 4 times before pumping the fuel bulb and then pull start it as usual quickly.....it worked like a charm 😊
All I can think of is by doing this i’m energising something.....?

jezza101 · 03 February 2018, 15:46

Yeah I suppose you must be energising something

paintman · 06 February 2018, 10:36

Pulling it over slowly is drawing fuel vapour into the cylinders before you go for it so much the same effect as a choke.

jezza101 · 06 February 2018, 10:37

Of course yes! Bang on there mate! I never thought of that.

Dobieman · 06 February 2018, 22:59

Thanks for the replies, whatever it does - it works😊