Soot on spark plugs

[mic0157]

1990 Johnson 175 J175stlese

Okay so I've pulled my spark plugs for a second time this year and they are coated in a black fluid (soot), almost like upburnt fuel. Any idea what this is?

I've been having a problem with my motor starting on the ramp. But once it does start, it will run like a champ and and start right up every time. Could this black soot be coating the plugs and preventing the motor from starting up? Would "hotter" spark plugs help in this situation? Recommendations?

How about a higher grade of fuel or a fuel additive? Something to get this thing to fire up?

The battery, starter, and power pack are all new.

[OrygunBasser]

This is very common if you have to Idle in a No wake zone for very long! If you want to see what they look like when you run mormally you have to make a high speed run and then shut the engine down and then take a look!

As far as the starting problem, yes it can make a difference!

Hotter plugs will help if you Idle or troll a lot, but you do not want to do it if you run hard as it can melt a piston!

You might want to try a surface gap lug if that is not what you are running now!

I'm running them in my 200 and like them a lot!

[mic0157]

Sruface Gap Lug?
Don't know what that is.

[ChampioNman]

It doesn't have a ground electrode. Smooth surface.

[fogawee]

I had a merc inline six with surface gap plugs, they fouled all the time I guess because it was a merc.

Ernie

[LIQUID NIRVANA]

Is your thermostat working properly. If the motor is running cold at idle this could happen. Motor should be idling at around 165 deg F & running & at about 145 deg F at higher speeds. VERY IMPORTANT.

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[mic0157]

Not sure what temp the motor is running at. Temp guage is broke. I'm wondering about the advance / starting lever on the control box. I don't think that's attached. When I rebuilt the boat, I don't remember seeing it phyically attached to any levers or anything.

Could that have something to do with the cold starting problem.

[ChampioNman]

It isn't a separate cable, it is attached to your throttle cable. There are specific tests for Quick start in the manual.

[mic0157]

Okay so I flip thi little lever up and the darn motor started on the second crank. I'm skeptical that it could be that easy, but it did seem to work.

Thanks for the assistance.