Pontoon Boat & Deck Boat Forum

I recently bought a 96 Partikraft w/ a 75hp Mariner outboard. Took it to the water last weekend to see how hit would run and once started ran great. The issue is I believe, my lack of knowledge in a two stroke motor. While still at the boat ramp, it was having trouble starting but was turning over so I decided to prime the motor using the pump between the tank and motor. Pumped it about 10-15 times till the pressure was good and then it started. It ran good and cruised around for an hour or so. I decided to pull up to a sandy shore to kick back a while and it sat for about 45 minutes to an hour. I assumed that the motor would only need priming the one time but I think I was wrong. I tried to start it after it sat for a while and wouldn't start. I decided after priming it more and still not starting that I would put in neutral and give a few pumps at the throttle. I think this was a mistake because I believe I flooded it because it would not start and I began smelling strong fuel. Let it sit for about 30 minutes, primed it some more and then it started just before the battery got too weak thank god! So my question is, what am I doing wrong. It's obviously user error as the motor runs fine. I just think I haven't figured out the proper starting technique for the two stroke.

Should only have to prime one time unless you have a leak in the line bleeding off pressure.

Are you using your choke, I know the a few times my brother was driving and couldn't get it started, he didn't know you push in key to activate the choke, after I showed him that it was no problem starting, after mine sits a while while fishing it likes to be choked a little.

HandymanHerb wrote:Should only have to prime one time unless you have a leak in the line bleeding off pressure.

Are you using your choke, I know the a few times my brother was driving and couldn't get it started, he didn't know you push in key to activate the choke, after I showed him that it was no problem starting, after mine sits a while while fishing it likes to be choked a little.

Haha, I did not know about the choke! Sorry I'm a newbie! I will try the choke next time ;-P

Welcome to the forum!!
Don't forget to post pics.

That's what we here for, and yes if your not told it's there you miss it as you don't really see them do anything but turn the key.

I don't know if all of them are that way now days, but all you have to do is push in on the key and you should hear it clicking, pulling the choke closed.

The Mariner 75 should have an electric choke. I bet it starts easier now

Welcome

Also if motor is tilted up very high that will effect starting. Do you have a warm up lever or a button on shift lever? If lever push it up abour half way when starting cold ( be ready to lower it quickly when it starts because it can over rev. If button while in netural push button in and push shift lever up a ways to start. This gives you some throttle while in netural. Use caution when choking as you can flood engine easy. Push key in as you turn key and when you hear it start of pop let off choke.

Good luck and good tooning

You were also in the window of time (45 minutes or so) when your motor is not cool but not completely warmed up anymore. My 90 HP Merc will get a little finicky when it is warm so I always try to start if without choking and just a little bit of throttle first so I don't flood it. If it doesn't start right away I hit the choke one time and it starts right up. You definitely don't want to choke a warm motor. As with anything and boats especially you learn from experience.

Have fun and post up some pics when you get a chance.

Ahhh... its the ole "push-in-the-key-to-choke" trick!


Welcome to the forum!

Thanks for all the replies, it seems so much clearer now I just got in my hose attachment so I will play around with it this weekend out of the water and find the proper technique. I will try and get pics up asap!

jsin,

make sure you have someone watching the bra or ears or whatever you want to call the hose attachment when motor is running, it sometimes has a tendency to pop off and if you are up in the toon on a trailer hard to get down in time to put it back on don't want to fry your motor.

It a good ideal to use the muffs before you leave the yard ro the day before just to make sure there are no surprises at the dock, if it hasn't been started in a few weeks.

Yea, that's the main reason I got them. So I can test everything before heading to the water. I don't wanna be "that guy" at the boat ramp!

After you have started the motor and run it for awhile it has warmed up you should not need to choke it at all as that could lead to flooding. I would try to restart it without choking first then choke it. Before you start it the first time always pump the bulb until it is hard then try to start it.

Good Luck and welcome to the forum.