Issue with 1998 40 HP Merc

[Gopher_Guy]

Got a new boat a few months ago, well it's used but it's new to me. IT's a 98 Lund Explorer with a 40 HP Merc 2 stroke w/oil injection. The problem is when you first get the boat in the water the engine doesn't pop off right away. I choke the engine, make sure the bulb on the gas is tight, etc. Yet it usually takes 5 (sometimes more, sometimes less) turns of the key before it finally pops off. Once you get it to pop off it starts up first turn every time after that. ANy ideas?

[Hoffer]

I have the same engine - except a 92. Mine starts a little hard at first too - but after it is started and run - it usually is just fine. I actually love the motor as I have owned it for over 10 years without a single problem. Make sure the bulb is tight before you even start the engine. I always choke it and have the handle by the throttle up the hghest it will go so that when it fires it starts kicking in.

[Gopher_Guy]

OK thanks maybe that is my problem. I have it on a pretty low setting when I first fire it up.

[jbb]

I have the same motor and it's always start kill...start kill..four or five times on initial start but the rest of the fishing day I turn the key & it starts right up. It's a sweet motor..I have pulled leadcore for hours with the motor on idle and just above..rurrs like a kitten

[bobO]

I have the same Motor Except mine is a 99, I think it has to due with the plugs. I change mine once a year, and I might change them twice a year. but I changed them this year and my starting battery was dead so I had to pull start it and started on the second try and never died once. I even had some old gas in there from last year. So my recomendation would be to keep the plugs fresh. But yeah AN excellent motor in general.

[bobO]

I have been out the last few times and have not had this problem. I make sure ball is hard, prime the motor a few times and turn the throttle up just a little bit,also make sure you have fresh plugs. See if this works.

[Gopher_Guy]

Hey Bob, I forgot about this topic and just found it again today. We swapped the plugs the other night and last night it fired up first time. I wish I'd have checked back when you mentioned to change the plugs. It also is idling smoother and quieter. We also put in brand new gas (non-oxy). We figured it was the plugs but put the non-oxy gas in just for the heck of it.

[bobO]

Hey good to hear it Gopher_Guy, I really like this motor, it works great and has good power, the starting thing is no big deal, just need to keep up on the maintainence. which is really Minimal at that.