Sportjet cold starting

[Small Fry]

I have a 1990 Merc 200 HP OB that does the samething. If I don't do the count to 10 it doesn't want to start. Smokes like heck but warms up pretty quick.

[Pete]

Hmmm. That's not a starting sequence possible with my SJ. I can push on the key all day, but it isn't going anywhere. There is no "in" option. I've tried over-choking when I start, but that doesn't seem to make starting easier.

In a related note, the manual lists several warning beep sequences. My SJ has invented some new ones. Anyone else notice this phenomena?

[fishing is life]

Silver H, i do the ten second (actually 15) thing and it works most of the time on the first try. what do you mean by :

"If I do this, and have the throttle in a fast idle position the motor usually starts up pretty quickly"

how do you put the throttle in a fast idle position? does that mean putting in fwd position? i must be confused. thank you.

[TundraIII]

Thanks for the tip Silver Hilton. My ignition switch has that ability but I never use it
because I was told that it wasnt "neccessary" by the salesman I bought it from. So I
kinda forgot about it. My throttle controls allow me to pull a small knob which puts the
controls in "nuetral" so to speak. So I can throttle up without forward motion. I'll give
it a shot next time I'm out.

[Lured In]

Cool...

I have the choke position but not the 'nuetral' position on the throttle arm. Will give the 10 second thing a try.

Thanks for the info.

[HOGTIDE]

Press in key choke for 6 seconds turn to the right....vrrrooom!

or

just turn key to right for one full crank through(injects measured amount of fuel)..... release...turn for second crank through and ...vrrrooom!!!

This may be common knowledge, but for cold days you do have fast forward idle available, too. On the side of the throttle control mechanism, Pull the solid aluminum round button out and move your throttle forward. This will speed the idle without throwing the jetdrive into gear.

[brshooter]

On the other thread, I stated that my sportjet was slow to start. I didn't say it was unreliable. My starting sequence consist of turning it over for 1-2 seconds. I do this twice and then it typically starts right up on the third go.

[WaterDog]

Mine is a 2001. My book says "Turn key start", there is no manual choke. The choke is automatic like the vehicle you drive. I can push the key in all day and night and it does nothing . I have had outboards in the past where you push the key to choke, the SJ is not one of them.

Yes its cold blooded, yes it smokes a bit, yes it's very reliable, yes it goes like hell, no it does not burn a lot of fuel.

:smile:

[ 01-07-2003, 07:29 PM: Message edited by: WaterDog ]

[Silver Hilton]

By fast idle position I mean I advance the throttle a bit. Since the boat is usually on the trailer, it's unimportant whether or not there is some thrust.

Mine is a 2002, so maybe it's different than the 2001. It isn't a choke, it's a priming function.

Like brshooter, mine is slow to start, but only on the first start of the day. Once it has been started, it's a pussycat.

[Silver Hilton]

The other thread on Sportjet starting has several folks that talk about how hard they are to get started.

I had mine in for the 50 hour service, and I mentioned that it was hard to start. After I got it back, the mechnic said that it started right up. I talked to him about it, and found out some stuff that I didn't know.

The Sportjet has a solenoid controlled primer system. This system lets extra gas into the carbs which obviously richens the mix.

You are supposed to turn the key to the 'on' position, and then press the key in and count to ten. Then hit the starter.

If I do this, and have the throttle in a fast idle position the motor usually starts up pretty quickly. It still wants a minute to warm up.

Thought you'd like to know. This process wasn't documented in the manual that I got with the motor.