---

I was trying to pull start my motor yesterday (merc 90 4 stroke), and I couldn't get it to go.

Good news was that I was in my driveway, not in the water. I wanted to see how hard it would be just in case I actually needed to do it...

Are there any tricks or am I a weakling? :D

---

Was the engine hot or cold when you tried? I'd run it first to get it nice and warm. Turn the key to the on position, and give it a go, should be a bit easier.

---

Shouldn't be any harder than pulling teeth..... :D

I am not that familiar with Merc's.
Here is how I start a cold OMC motor.
1. Prime the fuel bulb
2. Turn on the manual choke. This is under the cowling on an OMC and is a red lever
3. Turn on the ignition key
4. Pull the rope
5. Adjust throttle in neutral slightly if necessary and pull the rope again
It usually took me 3 to 5 pulls of the rope and my 70 hp started.

A warm motor you most likely will not have to use the manual choke.

---

Joshua -

Assume battery was connected,charged, key in ON and lanyard attached.

My old Yamaha 90 was a bear. I would pull the rope to get to flywheel to turn to the point it got harder. Then I would rewind the rope and pull REALLY hard. Very tiring.

---

The problem with setting up to start the pull at the point where the flywheel turns harder is you then have no momentum going into the pull. If you were riding a bike up a big hill, would you want to have some speed when you hit the base of the incline, or come to a dead stop and try to start going up from there?

---

You must have a battery connected or you stand the risk of blowing out the charging system.

Remember, the battery can be DEAD.... That is the whole purpose of the emergency pull rope system. In case your battery goes dead, you can pull start the engine as the magneto (charging system) will provide the spark for the engine.

---

I'll give it another go next weekend.

The motor was cold as can be when its 90 out. I didn't prime the bulb though, I bet that was the issue.

I'll let you know if I can get her started up. I really want to get a feel for it just in case I kill the battery by accident!

---

Joe -

I have read with late model motors, some need to have a battery with some charge to power the computer.
I remember this since a bunch of people griped on why supply a rope if the engine can't be started on a dead battery.

I can't recall what brand or more information.

---

Phil,

You are probably correct. I didn't think about some of the newer motors.
That's too bad though, really.... I don't think I would want one of those engines then.
It would be nice to know which models you can't emergency pull start with a completely dead battery.

---

Well I figure if you can't start it when warm, cold would be even more difficult so start there and see what happens. You're having to turn the valve train too on the four stroke, which you don't have to do on a 2 stroke, so I'd think it would be a bit more effort. Good luck, look forward to hearing your results!

---

I missed the 4 Stroke part....

Maybe it is harder than pulling teeth........ :o