Hard Starting

[MrTracy]

I have a 43 inch Shovel nose hydro. It has a BH Hanson Prurple Mod. This engine is very hard to start at best. Would anyone know the settings on the carb along with any other reason why it is so difficult to get running. It also shuts off is I am not idling very high:confused:

[pmpjohn]

I'm Not sure what carb Hanson is using. Our big bore carbs do not have a primer bulb or a choke. If yours does use them. If not standard starting procedure is to stick your finger in the velocity stack or in the carb if you don't have a stack and pull the engine over until your finger is wet with gas and then start. Most of the small gasoline engines start best when almost flooded.
Some of the modified string trimmer engines have a pretty radical port timing and will not have a very low reliable idle. In this case all you can do is set your base idle up until the engine will stay running and and not let it idle for a long enough time to load up and flame out.

[MrTracy]

Thanks for the info. I will try it in the morning. I will let you know what happened.

[MrTracy]

You are so right. I primed the hell out of that boat. It did have a primer button. I pressed it until it was filled and then I pressed it a few more time; it started right up. I will try to run it tomorrow when I go to the lake. I also turned the low idle up a few notches.
Thanks a million.