Have an '03 T-8 on my skeeter and over the years it seems to have developed a hard starting issue. For the first 3-4 yrs there was no starting problem and it would fire up very quickly. Pull the choke out, crack the throttle and hit the start button and it would fire right up. The last couple of seasons it has really changed. Now by using the same procedure it often times floods a bit. I've tried changing the process and cranking it a bit with no choke then introducing the choke but this didn't help. I've tried a few throttle pumps then cranking it then going to choke, no better. It often takes 6-8 cycles of turning it over and cranking on it to get it to finally go. Fuel filter is changed every season and plugs cleaned an regapped but no difference. Could it be that the current plugs are in need of change even though they appear in good condition and not burned down. Once the motor starts in the morning it will fire right up all day long and even does fine the next day. Seems like after sitting for extended periods is when its difficult. I've tried both pumping the fuel bulb and not pumping the fuel bulb but didn't seem to make a difference either way. Just can't figure out why it wants to partially flood using the same start methods that had no effect for the first few years of service. Runs like a champ once warmed up and never hiccups, just need to figure out the hard start issues. Will do this whether its a hot summer day on the or a cold winter morning on the river..Any thoughts, thanks in advance..... RJ in Montana

I had the same issue and it was a clogged jet in the carb. A quick shot of starting fluid and carb cleaner into the air intake while running cleaned it right out and runs like a top since then. Just a couple light sprays so the motor doesn't kill, don't over do it. Good luck but an easy fix, very common issue with T8's.

Tim, can you PM me with some follow up info regarding what products you used and your procedure.

Thanks, RJ in Montana

jimenez@montana.com

RJ-

I will check when i get home and will advise.

Tim

Rob... did you ever take it in and have the valves adjusted, etc (service @ about a hundred hour ..type item, as I recall).

seafoam------works wonders!!! ONly 6 or 7 bucks a can.. Give a tank of gas a double serving(2 cans). Than throw another can in your truck.

I've had the same issue in the past, as have friends and family. Great once they've been run recently but when they sit for a few days, hard starting.

Here's my starting sequence...Pump the ball till hard, pump the throttle(neutral) 3 times, the 4th time leave it 3/4 throttle, push the key in(choke) and start it.

It'll fire right up and run at a higher RPM, just slowly bring it back down to idle.

It went from hard strarting to starting INSTANTLY...every time, even after sitting for the entire offseason. Or, just sitting for a week or two. I passed this in to several buds and family with this motor as well, the all said the same thing. "It's like a different motor!"

I think someone here on WC or IDO passed this on...It works, give it a try. You'll probably say the same thing I did the first time...that was easy!

BIRDDOG

Another vote for Seafoam. I can't believe what the stuff has done for my boat & my Duramax!!

Hey T-mac, No I haven't had the valves adjusted. Have only performed the typical annual maintenance issues (plugs clean/replace, fuel filter, oil change). Not sure what kind of hours I have on it, I'd be suprised if it neared 100. I seem to like buying cranks more than I like pulling them!! Would the valve adjustment create this type of behavior? Thanks for the insight..RJ

I didn't read your post very well...missed the fact that you tried the the throttle pump, etc...

Your story just sounds so familiar, it's been posted a hundred times, they're known to be "hard starters". Every person in our crew or friends that does the throttle pump/3/4 throttle deal it has worked wonders for. I can't recall a person that's said they're good starters....besides after being run recently.

I'd try all the above, maybe it's a partially clogged jet, the orffice is tiny, doesn't take much to plug it up. But one would think if it was plugged or blocked it would start hard all the time, not just initial start??

Good luck and keep us posted what you find.

BIRDDOG

RDJ,

I have an 03 T8 and as the others have stated, I have found it to be one cold blooded little beast when trying to start it at idle speed. Once it does starts it is fine. I began using the 3/4 throttle starting method as previously described and it works great! While I think some seafoam would help a little, it doesn't sound as if there is really anything different about your T8 than the rest of us that have same issue.

I have a 2003 T-8. Consider yourself lucky that you had an easy starter. Mine, even with little use (it is primarily my "safety reserve" to get me back home if my main engine fails) the carb got dirty and the engine would rev fast, then slow, then fast, etc. even at constant throttle. My dealer cleaned it out and it has run fine since.

He said the small engines have small carb throats and need to be run full throttle after warm up for about 10 minutes and before shut down for about 10 minutes to keep them clean. That is even with Quickleen, Seafoam, and other cleaners.

Thanks to a T-Mac post of a couple years ago, I have a starting procedure that turned my hard-starter into a predictable starter. Here it is from my notes. My T-8 is a remote steer/throttle.

COLD START: Yamaha T-8. Per T-Mac.
Pump the primer bulb until firm.
Pull manual choke out.
Pump the throttle wide open in neutral 3 times.
Put in neutral and half throttle & then start with manual choke out.
Start motor and run until it dies.
Move manual choke knob back in.
Start by using neutral and choke key on throttle.
Idle until warm.

I'm a bit confused by lines 3 and 4 of your starting procedure? Line 3 has the motor in neutral for the full throttle pumps and then line 4 states to "put in neutral"? If directions are followed it is already in neutral. Did you mean to be in gear for line 3 instructions? Thanks for the help..RJ

I'm a bit confused by lines 3 and 4 of your starting procedure? Line 3 has the motor in neutral for the full throttle pumps and then line 4 states to "put in neutral"? If directions are followed it is already in neutral. Did you mean to be in gear for line 3 instructions? Thanks for the help..RJ


Sorry for the confusion. (I am not logged in right now but am 2BlackLabs). I can see why it would be confusing.

I added the "put in neutral" to line 4 within my own notes because I almost without fail would complete the throttle pumps of line 3 in neutral and put the throttle back into the "fully rearward" position by force of habit -- thereby taking it out of the "override" neutral.

Then I would forget to put it back into neutral to do the forward throttle for line 4. DUH! And, of course, the motor won't start unless the gears are in neutral.

It is just a reminder to me that a full return of the throttle after line 3 takes the engine out of the "override" neutral.

My main engine is a DFI 2-stroke so I just turn the key to "on", count to 3 as the computer synchs the settings, turn the key, and the engine starts. I don't have to mess with throttle pumps at all like in the old carbed 2-stroke main engines and therefore I forget about the extra step I have to do to put the T-8 into neutral to do the pumps.

Hey T-mac, No I haven't had the valves adjusted. Have only performed the typical annual maintenance issues (plugs clean/replace, fuel filter, oil change). Not sure what kind of hours I have on it, I'd be suprised if it neared 100. I seem to like buying cranks more than I like pulling them!! Would the valve adjustment create this type of behavior? Thanks for the insight..RJ

It could...but with your low hours it sounds like carb needs some tweaking, to me.

I don't think you forgot how to start it.... heck... your hair is still dark and all.....LOL!

You haven't seen my hair these last few years Terry!! It's dark alright..Dark White (middle aged code for gray)...but it's not turned from trying to start that kicker..I asked my barber the other day if he could cut the gray ones out and leave the black ones, he simply threw the bib around me and said "You really want it ALL off"? I shut up and let him do his thing..See ya and thanks..I'll try some of the home remedies listed here and see if they help the T-8.

RJ in Montana