Mariner 115 hp ridiculously hard to start first time on water

[dowhatta]

OK, I have a 1998 mariner 115 hp that runs great. The issue I have is that the first time I crank it at the beginning of the day, I can't seem to get it to fire. It takes pumping the primer bulb, then if it hits but doesn't start, I have to climb to the back and pump the primer bulb again to get it to hit again.
Once it does finally fire up, it won't have a single issue starting for the rest of the day. It only happens when the boat has been trailered. It will happen one day after the other like this. But like I said, as soon as the boat cranks the first time that morning, it's good to go until I put it back on the trailer.
Any suggestions?

[lpugh]

Serial number please

[dowhatta]

Sorry it took so long. the serial is
06652427

[EuropeanAM]

0G652427 more than likely.

Try this for COLD STARTS:

-Engine at LEVEL trim

-Shifter in NEUTRAL, throttle at IDLE POSITION

-Pump bulb FIRM.

-Key ON, push key in for 10 seconds (One Thousand and One, One thousand and two... you get the drift)

-Release key back OUT and turn to the START position

-When engine starts, be prepared to "bump" the key in if the engine begins to sputter out.

-Repeat above steps from the beginning if engine fails to start.

[dowhatta]

Thank you for the response. I’ll try this, but it just started having the issue about 6 months ago. Could something have changed that wiuld cause the first start of the day to be so difficult all of a sudden?

[JOE54]

make sure your primmer (choke/enrichner) is working listen for click at electric valve when choke is pushed with key on

[pnut]

I had a suzuki that got hard to start after I sprayed motor down with a protectant since I fish in salt water. I took the airbox off and noticed the choke wasn't closed all the way. I cleaned the moving parts so it would close all the way and it was back to starting easy again. If you don't have a choke system this won't help you. If you have done anything to motor go back and check everything. Best of luck

[ecoast]

bad fuel line/bulb

[EuropeanAM]

I agree- fuel line, bulb, filter or even pulse fuel pump (anything in the supply side of the system)... or as Joe mentioned, enrichment solenoid not working properly.

[dowhatta]

OK. I just checked and there’s no noticable noise of anykind at the enrichner when the choke is pressed in. Do they always make a noise? It seems like the choke does work a little to help keep it running when it first does catch, but that may be my imagination.

[dowhatta]

And thank you to everyone for offering their time an knowledge. I really appreciate the help.

[EuropeanAM]

OK. I just checked and there’s no noticable noise of anykind at the enrichner when the choke is pressed in. Do they always make a noise? It seems like the choke does work a little to help keep it running when it first does catch, but that may be my imagination.

Enrichner should open when activated. You can test to make sure it's CLOSED normally, and OPEN when you push key in.

May not make a noise... but should open.

[JOE54]

also I have seen some mtrs with degraded hoses to enrichner restricting fuel flow, try this also when you pump bulb at first start up give it an extra hard squeeze when it gets firm this will override the crankcase boost fittings and supply fuel directly to number 3-4 cyls , boom we have ignition

[leonreno]

Does his 115 motor have a thermal air valve for cold starts?

[JOE54]

doesnt have one on this mtr

[dowhatta]

make sure your primmer (choke/enrichner) is working listen for click at electric valve when choke is pushed with key on

Thank you everyone for your advice!
I finally got time to break out a multimeter and check. Sure enough, there was no voltage going to the enrichner from the wiring harness. I traced it back and found the wiring had pulled loose from the ignition switch, so the choke was never engaging to begin with. I wired it back up, followed the cold start procedure offered here and it fired up within the engine rolling over three times.
thank you again for everyone’s help.

[JOE54]