Choke troubles

416rigby · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 9:09 pm Post subject: Choke troubles

Couldn't get our kicker going yesterday. When she fires up, she dies the moment I move the choke knob. I tried pushing the knob in very slowly...it dies with the slightest movement of the knob. Always started just fine in the past. We bought it new 1 1/2 years ago and have maybe 25 hours on it. It's a Nissan 8hp four stroke. Great little motor. Anyone have any ideas? I was thinking maybe clogged jet or something? The gas is not that old, and it does fire right up, so I don't think it's a fuel problem. It hasn't been run in maybe 3 months. I can't believe that varnish would build up that fast. I have gone the same length of time on the main without running (Hey, it was home rennovation time, cut me a break!) with no problems. I'm not up for tearing apart a new carb, the shop can get it in next week. Should be covered by warranty, but this one has me stumped. Anything simple I'm missing?

Thanks in advance
Rick

Wefings · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 10:27 pm Post subject:

Hey Rick , I'd bet 90% its bad gas and thats not really covered by warranty [although your dealer may just do it]I would ask if they will charge for a carb cleaning . Try some carb cleaner spray .We use the Johnson / Evinrude product . Let it soak, try to fill the float bowl. Spray a little while trying to rev her . Its a cheap date .
Marc

TyBoo · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:23 pm Post subject:

Don't give me this hooey! The USCG does not choke!!

I guess carb. One little bitty hole restricted. Too much air, not enough gas, which is nice in a cheap date but lousy in a Datsun engine.

stevej · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:47 pm Post subject:

Rick, I have a 15hp Yamaha 4-stroke and had close to the same problem this weekend. Long story short we pulled the carb, removed the jets and blew spray cleaner through the passages. Never found a hard plug in the idle jet but it started and ran fine the next day. Best we could reason was that a small amount of water got in from washing the powerhead (have a dedicated racor filer for the kicker and we did not find any water in the float bowl) left some deposit in the bowl that got sucked up and blocked something in the idle circuit.

On the Yamaha I can disconnect the tiller control at the carb without tools. This will let me advance the throttle by hand and get past the idle rpm to isolate the issue.

stevej

Wefings · Posted: Mon Jul 28, 2008 11:50 pm Post subject:

wow this like a current and former cruise ship owners meeting . 50% attendance
Marc

TyBoo · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 12:27 am Post subject:

Wefings · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 12:31 am Post subject:

maybe he will find the missing one............

416rigby · Posted: Tue Jul 29, 2008 10:51 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the ideas, gents. I was hoping to get to try some stuff this evening but had to work late. I'll see what I can come up with and let you know what it was.

Now about this missing Cruise Ship...maybe the Bermuda Triangle?