Johnson vs Merc hard starting

[Texaspro]

Just bought a boat with a 1997 Johnson Ocean Pro 200hp. My other boat with a Merc 200, pump the bulb and hit the starter...fires quick and good idle. On the Johnson I've tried choke, no choke, advance throttle, no throttle, prayer and still she wants to crank and crank, eventually starting. After it starts if runs great and subsequent restarts hot or warm touch the key and it goes. I'd love to ask the previous owner but he has left the state and no forwarding address. Need some help since I'm moving from the dark side (Merc) to the light.

[jgwufgator]

I have a 2000 200HP. Here is my method:

1. Check the oil tank primer and make sure it is still hard.
2. Pump the gasoline primer ball
3. Press the idle button and advance the throttle about 20 degrees (to where you just start to feel resistance)
4. Put key in and push in key and turn to start. Keep holding in key. Once engine is running, I sometimes pump the key a few more times.

It always starts within a few seconds (if it has been sitting awhile and the gasoline has evaporated, sometimes it takes a few turns to go again... and lots o' smoke!)

[JoshKeller]

i've found it much easier to start a carbureted motor if you trim it up so the prop exhaust is just under the water by about 3 - 6"

[Lockjaw]

My 97 200 was a little finicky. I pumped the bulb on it one time and flooded it.

What I normally did (hot foot throttle) is turn the key to on, not start but on, and push in several times before turning the motor over. It usually took a little cranking to get it going, but once it started it stayed running.

On my 96 150, pump the bulb til its hard, and turn it over, and push the key it, and it starts right up, every time.

[ChampioNman]

2 different beasts too, the 150 is optical ignition system the 200 is not. You may want to have the sync n link checked on that BB looper.