Out board w/ automatic choke

[NEIL WALTERS]

I just purchased a Honda 8hp outboard 4 cycle that came with electric start and an automatic choke. The first time I tried to start it, it flooded. I must have tried for 45 minutes to clear it and get it started. every time it just ran for a few seconds and very rough. A friend came by and very quickly got me going with a tip I will never forget. I was lucky I was still at the dock. I looked all thru the owners manual with no luck. In fact it only mentioned a manual choke that I didn't have including a drawing where it used to be. First put the motor in foward, then twist the acelerator handle all the way to max two or three times. Put motor in neutral and start. It worked great. Am I the only one not to know this?

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

Thanks for the tip Neil

Neil -I didn't know that, but I don't have that particular outboard. I do know that with any relatively small displacment engine it is essential to not flood it. I find that if an engine will not start after I've choked it and opened the throttle that I tend to have much better luck if I close the choke (if its manual) and throttle and crank it dry for a few seconds. I used to ride an old Norton motorcycle and if you flooded it you were done.Justin - O'day Owners' Web