Long Turnover Time

[mrbrightside7]

Hi there!

I have an 87 Evinrude 90hp with an electric starter and every time I start it up it takes between 30-60 seconds (sometimes more) for the engine to finally turn over. Once it’s running it’s great, but it’s just the amount of cranking before it turns over that concerns me. Are there any major reasons this may be happening, or is this pretty typical with an engine this old?

Thank you!

[chris-p]

old engine?! Wrong group to say that to about a 1987 🙂

What is your starting procedure, step by step? Is the choke fully engaging?

No offense intended here, but I find most of these situations are operator error. Or is this a motor you have had for awhile, and it just started doing this?

[frankr]

Yep, common errors are not setting warm-up/fast idle throttle lever and not understanding the primer system.

[jerry-ahrens]

When you say ”turn over” are you speaking about the starter motor actually taking 60 seconds to begin cranking the engine? Or does the motor crank for 60 seconds then it finally starts?
If the battery is marginal, or the starter motor is dragging, even a slight bit, then the ignition system cannot generate a good strong spark at the spark plugs. This can cause long cranking times, or the motor may not even start. A dragging starter is common, even though you would swear it sounds good.
After squeezing the primer bulb, and raising the warm up [fast idle] lever, crank the engine while you push in on the ignition switch [and hold it in] at the same time. If everything is right, it should fire up pretty quick… do not push in on the key untill the motor is cranking…. if you do, it will flood the motor! After the engine is running, you may need to push in on the choke momentarily to keep it running. This should work for a 1987 engine. Now if it is newer than this it may have Quick Start, which has a different procedure.
Another thing that comes to mind… take a look at the primer valve on the drivers side of the powerhead. It should have a little red lever on it… some may be black. They are notorious for cracking and will spray out fuel during a cold start up. You should be able to see the crack on the barrel of the red valve with a visual inspection. If it’s cracked, then replace it. Hope this helps!

[fleetwin]

Yes, the primer system is often misunderstood.
But, sometimes the primers get messed up, especially when guys changed out the levers with the injection can levers. Sometimes the nipples on the carbs get plugged also.
If Jerry’s suggestions don’t help, try this…
Tilt the engine down, then pump up the primer bulb, then remove one of the primer lines from a carb. Have an assistant turn the key switch on and push it in to prime while you watch the primer line. Did fuel spray out of the hose? If not, you have a primer problem. Keep in mind that just because fuel sprays from one hose does not guarantee the carb nipples are not plugged.
I guess there is another way of doing this as well. With the engine running at idle, push the key switch into the prime position, the engine should stall from being over rich.

[oltimer]

I have the same year engine, only in the 30 hp with Electric start. Did you just buy this and are trying to start it, or has this just happened over time? My starts immediately, and as fleetwin state’s; follow his suggestions on pressing in the key (when trying to start) to see if the electronic primer is working properly.

[mrbrightside7]

Hey all! Thank you so much for the suggestions. To answer a few of the questions asked, this is a new boat to me and it has done it has lagged on startup since I’ve had it. I will admit that this is probably very much user error here as after reading all of the responses there are so many things I did not know about. Mainly the warm up/fast idle throttle lever, I had no idea that was something I need to do. I will troubleshoot according to the things you guys mentioned here and will see if anything helps! Thank you all so much!!

[crosbyman]

use fresh gas….. not what came with the motor 😯

Joining AOMCI has priviledges 🙂

[fleetwin]

And make sure the oiling system is working properly, or better yet, add some oil to the gas…

[frankr]

Fast idle/warmup lever—-well there ya go. I suspected as much. I once had to teach a guy how to start his brand new motor. He would crank and crank until the battery was dead. Still no start. When I suggested he raise the fast idle lever, he snapped at me, saying the dealer told him to never touch that thing. Duh! Some dealer!!

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