Choke on 2000 Dual Console Osprey

[who4ever]

I was told by my mechanic that the ignition has a choke on it.  When the key is pressed in, it sinks in a little, which he said was the choke. Is this true?  If so, do I hold the key in while I am turning it when cold starting in the morning, or push the key in and let it come out and then start the boat.  Also, do any of you have to push the throttle forward a bit (disengaged, of course) when cold starting?  Seems I always have to.  My friend once told me to push the throttle forward and back a few times to push gas into the engine before starting, but I always thought that was what the black rubber squeeze thing is by the engine.

How do you friends start your Aquasport cold?  Thanks  Oh yeah, I have a 200HP 2 stroke Merc outboard.
Dave

[RickK]

Not sure about the Merc line (Used to have one but don't remember how it worked) - the Johnson on my 170 has the choke in the key switch (works as you say and I hold it in while cranking until the engine starts), the Yammy on my 230 does not have a choke in the switch.  You pump the bulb on the fuel line (black thing in the back) until it is firm.  On my 230 I don't have to.

[flounderpounder225]

All carbureted 2 strokes have a either a traditional choke which closes off air to the engine while cranking (which enrichens the fuel/air mix) or as OMC came out with was the enrichment solenoid which actually squirts raw fuel into the carbs.  And almost all non injected engines need it on a cold start, it's just the nature of 2 cycle engine design.  giving it some extra throttle is also pretty normal, but not too much, especially on the hose at the house.  You shouldn't need to rev it up like a weed eater like you hear some folks doing... And moving the throttle FWD and back as your friend advised is useless in a 2 cycle carbureted motor, that tradition came from the days in our cars when you would pump the pedal a few times before cranking, that set the choke plate and squirted raw fuel into the carb from the accelerator pump, which outboard engines do not have.  The only time you would want to push the throttle WO is if you suspected the engine was flooded.  With the throttle plates wide open the engine will ingest max air and it helps air the engine out, just be careful bc when she lights off, it will be the weed eater syndrome.  Sounds like your engine is completely normal.

[RickK]

My '91 yammy must have the enrichment solenoid because it dumps gas right into the carb when the engine is cold and then starts going through the bowl as the engine warms up. Plus I hear an electric fuel pump when I turn the key on.

[wingtime]

Marc's reply is spot on!  I have a 200 two stroke carbureted Merc.   The black primer bulb is for pumping the fuel from the tank into the engines mechanical fuel pump and the carb bowls. This primes the fuel pump NOT the cylinders.  The first step in starting your motor at the beginning of the day is pumping the primer bulb.    Hold the bulb with the arrow facing up and squeeze it until it is firm.  Squeezing the bulb pumps fuel to the engine and fills each of the carb bowls with fuel.  When the bowls are full the floats will close the needle and seat preventing more fuel form being pumped in which is why the bulb will get firm.  Now you can start the engine by turning on the key and pressing the key in to choke it while cranking.  Be careful not to hold the key in too long or you may flood it.

[Capt. Bob]

Excellent Wing.
SOP for us old motor owners and as about as right as it can get.
No ass kissin' here, just acknowledgement as to how you would start these older motors.

Exactly the way my 91 Yamaha touches off. Every time.