T-8 ugh

[jasontrucks76]

Well as some of you may remember a few months ago I was looking at installing a Kicker and went over the whole Tohatsu, Merc, Nissan, T-8 debate......

Well I just had to have a color matched motor and bought the T-8 and had her out today for a full day of fishing. Over all the motor performed great! ONCE I GOT IT STARTED!!!! Are all of these new kickers clod blooded? Three guys at the launch all had a time with there kickers today and there was another Yami and two pro kickers. We all sat around talking over the fine and not so fine points and opinions about kickers. The common consensus was they are all cold blooded.

Mind you mine is brand new and theirs were newer but used.

Just ranting but I feel better now! I guess I just think when you pay 3K+ for something it should freekin work! My HPDI...... Hit the key and VAROOOM!

[perchjerker]

my old boat had a 15 Merc 4 stroke and there was definatley a knack to cold starting it.

What kind of choke does the T-8 have?

I

[kliph]

Yes, they seem to be cold blooded. But it is just a matter of pushing the button to start.
Not like the old days, standing on the back of the boat with the recoil rope.
Prime and choke and push the button. :)

[went522]

Pump the bulb, pump the throttle 3-4 times, leave the throttle open to about 1/3, choke, start. It should pop off instantly. I leave mine run at a high idle for a minute or two, drop back to idle. If you do this for the first start of the day it should be fine for the rest of the day. The cold blooded issue had been my only "issue", I think I read this "cure" here on WC. I now have nothing bad to say about my T8 as it starts instantly EVERY time. Everyone I told or had heard of this starting sequence says the same. Great motor.

BIRDDOG

[KHedquist]

I think they are cold blooded to meet emissions, I know the Pro Kicker can be adjusted to help, you need to remove a cap to get to the adjustment

[Senderofan]

Is the T8 a carb'd motor? My 15 hp Merc. 4s ( Yamaha ) is a cold blooded beast. I do the things listed above...but have to let the motor run at a high idle for that 1-2 minutes...otherwise she'll kill attempting to shift into gear. We've done new plugs every year and messed with the carb...but still about the same. I've also noticed that the fuel leaks out the carb when the motor gets tilted up...so squeezing the bulb is important for my motor.

Wayne

[Lundexp]

Ditto on went522's method. I have to do the exact same thing with my F80 and it is carbed too. Alot of people like to just turn the key and expect it to fire up, but they forget it's carbed. Pumping the throttle several times helps alot, just like you would with a older vehicle with carb.

[stinkycat]

On you 2 st kickers maybe you want to try Amsoil synthetic oil. I have a friend that has the same problem with his Ice auger. Very cold blooded beast. He switched this winter to Amsoil and now the auger starts on 3 pulls no matter how cold it is. Just a thought that might help. Not sure what to do on the 4 strokes. Good Luck. Good fishing!

[perchjerker]

Pump the bulb, pump the throttle 3-4 times, leave the throttle open to about 1/3, choke, start. It should pop off instantly. I leave mine run at a high idle for a minute or two, drop back to idle. If you do this for the first start of the day it should be fine for the rest of the day. The cold blooded issue had been my only "issue", I think I read this "cure" here on WC. I now have nothing bad to say about my T8 as it starts instantly EVERY time. Everyone I told or had heard of this starting sequence says the same. Great motor.

BIRDDOG


LOL sounds like my "cure"

I ended up drilling out the welch plug and richening it up just a tad and was MUCH easier to start then. They are set lean for emission purposes

My new boat as a Yam 9.9 and the choke is different. Its automatic, you cant control it manually. Not sure I like that setup

[rbart]

I have been trying to get mine started since last October. If it don't start today I'm taking it off and getting rid of it. Bought it new last Ausust only has 2.7 hours on it so I hope the sequince above works (keeping my fingers crossed and wrenches handy).

[walleyeguide]

the first time out try pulling the hood off and putting your hand over the intake tube for the carb.
worst case spray a little fuel in the same spot & it will fire.
once you get the hang of it all the kickers will cause you no heartache.

good luck frank

[fisher-1]

Pump the bulb, pump the throttle 3-4 times, leave the throttle open to about 1/3, choke, start. It should pop off instantly. I leave mine run at a high idle for a minute or two, drop back to idle. If you do this for the first start of the day it should be fine for the rest of the day. The cold blooded issue had been my only "issue", I think I read this "cure" here on WC. I now have nothing bad to say about my T8 as it starts instantly EVERY time. Everyone I told or had heard of this starting sequence says the same. Great motor.

BIRDDOG

I run a F9.9 (elect start) kicker and that is exact same way I was shown by my dealer when I bought the boat, works every time!!
These Yammies also take forever to break-in, once broken-in they are sweet motors.

[BW]

When my T-8 was brand new, it took a little bit, but nothing like what you are saying. After break in, it starts right off, every time!! This is my 3rd T-8 and I wouldn't own any other kicker motor, period!!! My whole family runs them, and have never had any issues with them!!! I know I have heard of the pro kickers being a little cold blooded, but not as much with the T-8??

[jasontrucks76]

Pump the bulb, pump the throttle 3-4 times, leave the throttle open to about 1/3, choke, start. It should pop off instantly. I leave mine run at a high idle for a minute or two, drop back to idle. If you do this for the first start of the day it should be fine for the rest of the day. The cold blooded issue had been my only "issue", I think I read this "cure" here on WC. I now have nothing bad to say about my T8 as it starts instantly EVERY time. Everyone I told or had heard of this starting sequence says the same. Great motor.

BIRDDOG

This is more or less what I ended up doing to get the thing going...... After cranking on it for a few minutes and trying to use the choke from the key I went back to the motor and pulled the choke about 1/2 way, elevated the idle about 1/3, and she popped off. I guess I just dont like to rev a cold motor that hard right off...... I have always been of the mind to warm them up at idle then hit it. I just think it is good to get everything warmed up a little and get the oil warmed up before revving. I guess I will have to adopt a new way of thinking when I use this T-8.


Thank you all for the input and I feel better knowing you all seem to have similar experience. Like I said once I got the thing running I was very impressed! That little sucker pushed ZX ZX2050 6mph and I trolled down to .85mph. I do think a troll master will be the next thing to add:)

Have a great weekend!

[perchjerker]

I run a F9.9 (elect start) kicker and that is exact same way I was shown by my dealer when I bought the boat, works every time!!
These Yammies also take forever to break-in, once broken-in they are sweet motors.

Fisher-

you have a choke lever on your 9.9?

Mine doesnt. It has a electic automatic choke, there is no lever.

[T Mac]

The more you use them the easier they start...and stay running.
Seems like it takes a few hours (5-6) before it loosens up.
To tell the truth... all small 4-stroke outboards are cold blooded.

[rbart]

Great advise it work just like you said.
Thank You

[fisher-1]

Fisher-

you have a choke lever on your 9.9?

Mine doesnt. It has a electic automatic choke, there is no lever.

No choke lever on mine either,

jasontrucks, you don't have to rev them on much high RPMs, just slightly more then idling for a minute or two and its good to go.

[went522]

This is more or less what I ended up doing to get the thing going...... After cranking on it for a few minutes and trying to use the choke from the key I went back to the motor and pulled the choke about 1/2 way, elevated the idle about 1/3, and she popped off. I guess I just dont like to rev a cold motor that hard right off...... I have always been of the mind to warm them up at idle then hit it. I just think it is good to get everything warmed up a little and get the oil warmed up before revving. I guess I will have to adopt a new way of thinking when I use this T-8.


Thank you all for the input and I feel better knowing you all seem to have similar experience. Like I said once I got the thing running I was very impressed! That little sucker pushed ZX ZX2050 6mph and I trolled down to .85mph. I do think a troll master will be the next thing to add:)

Have a great weekend!

Just to verify...I don't let the motor run a that "1/3 throttle". Once it fires I drop back to a high idle. No problems, 4 years and it's seen a TON of use, yes it has run progressively better with the more hours it accumulates. And, I don't use the choke on the motor, just push in the key and hold it in for a second or two after it fires.

Kind of funny this subject came up...I was out on the sippi yesterday with cousins(fishing sukd). He was talking about his T8 and how hard starting it was. I took the drivers seat and it started instantly. The look on his face was priceless, of course during our T8 conversation he gave the.."what, you really think I don't know how to start"...

BIRDDOG

[Liquid Metal]

Jason, my T-8 is 8 years old not new like yours. It does not have a remote choke at the key. I pull the choke full out and prime like others have said. Put in nutreral and pump the throttle 2 or 3 times and start. yes it is cold blooded but has never not started in a couple to 10 seconds.
Maybe the new ones have remote chokes that I don't know about??

[Lundexp]

Great advise it work just like you said.
Thank You

Bummer, I was going to offer to take that T8 off your hands if you didn't get it started. Glad to hear you finally got it going with our method.

[northernbite]

Sounds like they all act the same; you have to get to know them. They really remind me of the old 2 cylinder John Deere's you choked them all you could and held the trottle wide open and then it started. My Pro-Kicker Merc was bad when it was new; now I pump the primer, pull the choke out, push the throttle release button and give it half thottle and it is running. The next part is leave it run for a couple of minutes and your good the rest of day. Have a great year fishing guys.

Paul

[wif unlogged]

Pump the bulb, pump the throttle 3-4 times, leave the throttle open to about 1/3, choke, start. It should pop off instantly. I leave mine run at a high idle for a minute or two, drop back to idle. If you do this for the first start of the day it should be fine for the rest of the day. The cold blooded issue had been my only "issue", I think I read this "cure" here on WC. I now have nothing bad to say about my T8 as it starts instantly EVERY time. Everyone I told or had heard of this starting sequence says the same. Great motor.

BIRDDOG

That is exactly the sequence I use on my 7 year old T8. In fact, a couple of weeks ago, I pulled my boat out of storage in preparation for a trip to Red Wing. The boat had been sitting since late October when it was winterized and stored. It was probably about 40F the day I pulled it out of the shed. Put the muffs on the T8, followed the sequence as outlined and she started up almost immediately. Let it idle at 1/3 throttle for a minute or so, closed the choke and turn back the throttle and let it her run at idle speed for a couple of more minutes. When I hit the river last Friday (40F), same deal, she started right up and trolled at low speed without coughing once during the day. I've owned a variety of 4 Stroke outboards for the past 11 years, and one thing I've found is that they are all very fussy on gas quality, especially those with carbuerators. I use Ring Free or Sea Foam during the season (depending on what I have on hand) and Stabil for storage. Not sure if this is the soltution for everyone, but in the 7 years of owning this T8, it has not given me one starting problem. It should also be noted that mine is a tiller version, which might allow me to fine tune the throttle and choke settings versus a remote version?

[lassh]

Pump the bulb, pump the throttle 3-4 times, leave the throttle open to about 1/3, choke, start. It should pop off instantly. I leave mine run at a high idle for a minute or two, drop back to idle. If you do this for the first start of the day it should be fine for the rest of the day. The cold blooded issue had been my only "issue", I think I read this "cure" here on WC. I now have nothing bad to say about my T8 as it starts instantly EVERY time. Everyone I told or had heard of this starting sequence says the same. Great motor.

BIRDDOG

When do you use this procedure? Only when its below 50 degrees or all the time?

Thanks for tip. I haven't had problems with the T8 starting but I'll try this when its really cold.

[went522]

I always start it this way the first start each day, 30 degrees or 90 degrees. It's then just a turn of the key the rest of the day, if it's cold out I may need to choke it a bit if the motor has had a chance to cool down. On any given day, once that motor has been started and warmed up, it starts fine without going through the sequence.

I have a routine that works well for me...someone backs me in, start the big motor, start the T8. By the time the truck is parked the T8 is warmed up...I shut it down. It's then great the rest of the day. Even if I have no plans to use the T8 I start it at the ramp anyway...never know when an emergency comes around and I need the T8 ASAP...especially on big water. I figure I have to give the big motor time to warm up anyway, may as well warm them both up.

BIRDDOG