How to start an outboard :/

Danork · 09 July 2013, 08:51

Ok.... Silly question
1998 mariner 2 stroke.
From cold how do I use the push to choke button. Do I push for a few seconds then start? Anything else?
And from hot... Just turn the key?
At the moment Im using a combination of revs and choke and lots of turning over. When it running.... Wow! Love the engine.
Also anyone got any ideas why a rev counter (new and tried a second unit) will not work? Could something be disconnected at the engine side?
Thanks in advance for any advice
Cheers
Dan

jambo · 09 July 2013, 09:21

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danork

Ok.... Silly question
1998 mariner 2 stroke.
From cold how do I use the push to choke button. Do I push for a few seconds then start? Anything else?
And from hot... Just turn the key?
At the moment Im using a combination of revs and choke and lots of turning over. When it running.... Wow! Love the engine.
Also anyone got any ideas why a rev counter (new and tried a second unit) will not work? Could something be disconnected at the engine side?
Thanks in advance for any advice
Cheers
Dan

Hi I've got the same vintage. From cold push in and turn and catch with throttle. Using the two together tends to cancel each other as one us fuel and the other air hence the large amount if turning over. When hot mine turns over no problem just key very little throttle. Great engine. You seem to have an engine connection prob with your tach. Good luck.

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Danork · 09 July 2013, 09:45

Cheers jambo!
I love the engine... Bit rough at idle but so smooth and quiet at cruising speed. Still light enough to be out late... Got in about midnight on Sunday eve!
Ok... I'll have a go with that. Push in key and turn immediately? The more the key is held in the more fuel injected?
Thanks again
Dan

jambo · 09 July 2013, 10:08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Danork

Cheers jambo!
I love the engine... Bit rough at idle but so smooth and quiet at cruising speed. Still light enough to be out late... Got in about midnight on Sunday eve!
Ok... I'll have a go with that. Push in key and turn immediately? The more the key is held in the more fuel injected?
Thanks again
Dan

Correct. Have fun.

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9D280 · 09 July 2013, 13:12

Postcript on the "more fuel injected" - only when the engine is turning!

Traditional chokes basically block the airway a bit - hence the name. Merc / mariners used a thing they called an "enrichening valve" - i.e a tap to throw more fuel in.

As Jambo says, on one of these types using "choke" + open throttle (throttle controls the air flow) you might as well be cranking it without the "choke", as the throttle open allows more air in, thus cancelling the "enrichment".

FWIW mine when cold I crank for 2-3 seconds with "choke". It will fire, and if I can get the throttle open quick enough it will keep running. If not I have to follow it with an "open throttle crank" - a little antisocial in a marina, as it roars instantly to 3000+ RPM! As per Jambo - when hot just turn the key.

...and its not a daft Q - especially these days when every car has a computer to do all that stuff for you behind the scenes.

Danork · 09 July 2013, 17:03

Thanks...
Noticed that effect of open throttle crank.... Wow.
Ok. Hope to get out if wind drops a bit maybe tonight or tomorrow. I will try and see how it goes
Cheers
Dan

cptsideways · 10 July 2013, 15:28

Our 90 still needs a push of choke even when warm if its been sat for 10-20mins

Danork · 12 July 2013, 09:51

Cheers for that.
Went out again last night and now starting really easily.
Not using revs and choke together and catching it as soon as it fires really helps.
Stunning mirror calm here was great fun. I recon about .8 l a mile at 22 knots.
I was watching the voltage and when the engine was running it climbed to 13.8 v. After a while it slowly dropped to 12.5. Then after stopping it climbed again to 13.8.... Not normal i guess.
Thanks everyone!
Dan

Festinghouse · 12 July 2013, 10:20

sounds like rectifier to me. the tacho works on the charging side of the electrics so no tacho + dodgy charging could well be connected. fyi, the grey wire from rectifier is for tacho.

Festinghouse · 12 July 2013, 10:24

also, the enrichener works best when the primer builb is pumped solid - this pressurizes the fuel so once the choke is pressed the fuel will pass through easily. do this then press for 5 seconds before cranking.

Danork · 12 July 2013, 12:08

Thanks Festinghouse...
Handy info. I'll make sure the primer is well pumped and try the 5 seconds idea. As for the rectifier, where is it? I will check the grey wire when I find it too. I'm using a motor bike size battery for starting... Can the small capacity of the battery damage the charging circuit?
Thanks again
Cheers
Dan

Festinghouse · 12 July 2013, 13:19

dont know about size of battery, though im sure someone here will know. rectifier may look like this 135632 NEW MERCURY MARINE OUTBOARD RECTIFIER 62351A1 62351A2 816770 816770T | eBay - ive never had anything to do with these. or it may look like this USED Voltage Regulator / Rectifier Mercury ~ Mariner Outboard 883072T | eBay 2 yellow wires go to stator, red goes to starter solenoid for charging, grey is for tacho.

9D280 · 12 July 2013, 23:52

First one is simply a rectifier. I clocked 19V off mine at 1500 rpm and promptly changed it for a Honda rectifier /regulator unit.