Easystart & outboard.

[davidpbo]

My 8HP 2 stroke Mercury is not easy to start when it has been left. E.g. for a fortnight. After that first start it starts 1at pull.

Following on from someone's thread re difficult starting,could I use squirt of Easystart for this initial start without risk to the engine? I do all the other things, priming, choke etc.

At the moment I am attempting the first of season start after a service, and it isn't. So new fuel for a start. It is a manual start so between lifting the engine, trying to start it and other crawling around on the boat my back is playing up.

 

[FishyInverness]

My Mechanic recently told me that easystart is a no-no for 2-strokes, though I can't quite recollect why.....if I get a chance i'll revisit it with him and find out.

 

[sailorman]

My 8HP 2 stroke Mercury is not easy to start when it has been left. E.g. for a fortnight. After that first start it starts 1at pull.

Following on from someone's thread re difficult starting,could I use squirt of Easystart for this initial start without risk to the engine? I do all the other things, priming, choke etc.

At the moment I am attempting the first of season start after a service, and it isn't. So new fuel for a start. It is a manual start so between lifting the engine, trying to start it and other crawling around on the boat my back is playing up.

you need some of this Australian stuff

 

[perry84]

Easy start is like heroin for engines. I don't know why but once you start using it they can't get enough of it! Use wisely.

 

[Fire99]

you need some of this Australian stuff

Love it. Can't deny the Aussie's have a sense of humour!

 

[Mistroma]

All of these produts have a mixture of volatile material (ether, propane etc.) designed to reduce the temp. at which the spark (or compression) will ignite the fuel.

I don't think that they are good for 2-strokes as they don't contain any oil. However, I don't think that's a bug worry to just get it started.

I imagine that ether etc. will tend to wash away gum etc. at rings and reduce compression. This would make a diesel harder to start due to reduced compression. I imagine that's why people say engines get addicted. Can't see it being an issue for a 2-stroke.

It would be possible for the propane, ether etc. to ignite in the crankcase and blow the engine apart. Never heard of that actually happening though.

 

[nigelmercier]

Love it. Can't deny the Aussie's have a sense of humour!

And Evode as well, with their Sticks Like Sh*t

Having read the original thread, I was able to start my wife's hedge trimmer after 2 years of trying then giving up.

 

[Heckler]

Easy start is like heroin for engines. I don't know why but once you start using it they can't get enough of it! Use wisely.

Easy start stuff, contains ether among other things, it goes bang when compressed in a diesel engine, it ignites easier than petrol "gas" Thats why it starts poorly engines. However overuse of it causes preignition which breaks piston rings, and compresses ring lands so that they get trapped and the engine loses compression, so causing worse starting. Thats why people say engines get addicted.
Stu

 

[Stemar]

Apologies in advance if this is an egg-sucking lesson, but do you run the engine dry before leaving it? 2T fuel left in a carb will clog it up a treat and make it a pig to start.

I always put mine in a tub of fresh water and run it for a few moments at a fast idle then turn the fuel off and wait for it to stop. It always takes a few pulls after being left, but will always go. The time I didn't, it was a nightmare to start, involving a stripdown of the carb and a new plug before it would go.

 

[VicS]

As Stu says the possibility of early ignition, and the possible consequences, is the reason ether based starting aids should not be used in diesel engines.

The ignition is still dependent on the spark in petrol engines so preignition is not such a worry, esp with the low compression of 2 strokes. Its the lack of oil that is the main concern.

It is usually suggested that a spray of 2 stroke mixture direct into the carb throat should be tried. Although its not likely to help if the trouble is caused by a weak spark!
I suppose if the fuel and carburation are Ok but a weak spark is the problem you'd still get lubrication from the fuel but a whiff of ether would aid the ignition if the spark is weak.

 

[GrumpyOldGit]

Mad though it may seem, WD40 squirted into the air inlet will start your engine first time and very importantly willl not scour the bores or dry the big end bearings on a 2 stroke. Also works well on diesel engines by increasing compression a little and detonating quite gently.
I await 'experts' naysaying this advice .............Just give it a try

 

[davidpbo]

Thank you for the input folks.
The engine is used in fresh water with carb run dry at end of each period of use.

 

[VicS]

Mad though it may seem, WD40 squirted into the air inlet will start your engine first time and very importantly willl not scour the bores or dry the big end bearings on a 2 stroke. Also works well on diesel engines by increasing compression a little and detonating quite gently.
I await 'experts' naysaying this advice .............Just give it a try

The effectiveness may depend on the vintage of the WD 40. Different propellants ahve been used over the years.
Originally I believe a CFC, which would not have made a good starting aid, then butane, which was what made it a good starting aid, but it is now CO2 so probably not so good again.

If you find that the next can of WD40 you buy does not work so well as a starting aid that is the reason.