Engine won't start

[magic]

06 vmax 150, well maintained, lightly used.

I have had consistent problems getting the engine to start. Starts slow, have to crank for quite a while usually but will start sometimes. If cold (less than 60) and / or don't start for several days, it won't fire, just cranks. Eventually it might turn once, but doesn't really fire or try to start. If leave alone after first attempts for a couple hours will usually start.

Have had back to shop multiple times, on dry land in heat of day, it will fire for them. They did fix a choke problem (wasn't opening up all the way) which helped some but still slow to start (have to crank several seconds- often 2 or 3 times to get to fire at all) and today wouldn't start at all. Drive it to dealer and it fires up pretty quick.

So i have a boat that sometimes starts, often not, may start a few hours later, and almost always fires at dealers on dry land.

Hard for dealer to fix what won't happen there, but this is getting ridiculous. Any ideas for what might be wrong?

Any dealers here- have I got an option to get Yamaha to replace this lemon? Boats been in shop more than on water.

[K.D.]

Not sure how much experience you have with carb'd outboards....Have you read the manual on the cold starting procedure?


If you don't have a hotfoot, have you ever tried engaging the throttle while starting it? Are you familiar with pushing in on the round part of the control box and pushing the throttle forward? This will give it fuel without putting the motor in gear. Don't give it over 1/3 throttle and be ready to pull it back to avoid over-revving.

The basics that you don't want to skip with the VMAX is to prime the bulb till firm and start the motor in a level position. If it won't start after choke is applied, use the throttle. This has helped me tremendously in the past. They're known for being hard to start first thing, then they'll fire right off the rest of the day.

You mention taking 2-3 attempts to get it to fire off. This isn't unusual (or in my experience it's not) to start a cold carb'd motor. Fuel injected cars have ruined most of us, we expect our outboards to start as easily. (The HPDI's will )

[Neilslure]

Is the dealer using the same procedure that you use for starting? I have a 2003 150 VMax which is pretty much the same motor. Never had a problem with starting. There is a retainer ring on my ignition that sometimes vibrates loose and the choke wont work right until it is tightened. Can you hear a clicking noise when you push in on the key?

[K.D.]

I checked the Yamaha board and here are two good threads for you to read thru. Lots of good info in them. They started with basically the same question you had.

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread?id=72683

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerothread?id=48298

[magic]

thanks for the links and info, I'll look for the manual choke