Looking for someone to work on this old hard starting thing. Live in the Lake Ray Roberts area.

Matt M in Royse City might be too far for you from Ray Roberts but he was worth the trip from Bedford when I used him. Incidentally I have a 1996 150 hp Oceanrunner that fires up quickly. The primer solenoid seems ultra important on that generation of OMC 2 Strokes.

Got hold of James Wilkins he retired and has a small shop up at Sunset. He said he can get it back in shape.

First thing James ask was about the primer and choke.

Great. It sounds like you are on the right track.

I just took mine in for the same issue. went from starting fine to almost killing the battery to get it started... I have the same motor and 1996 also. It was the o ring on the fuel inlet that was causing mine to be hard to start. I figured it was the fuel primer too. He went ahead and replaced the o rings on the fuel filter also. Runs and starts great again. I'm on Rayburn, but there is a great mechanic in Lufkin for Johnson/ Evinrude motors but I know its a ways away. I get my service done there every year and he does a compression check and Dyno just to make sure everything is still on. Hope you find someone closer. A good Honest Mechanic is hard to find anymore... Or it seams to be for me over the years.

Coolarrow,

Are you referring to the Carburetor Manifold:


I had that same problem on my '96 90hp Evinrude. Must I say they are beyond proud of those Orings ($4/each)

Part 60 was the main one

Once my Faststrike got started it was never a problem the rest of the day. It was always the first start of the day. Still a hard running son of a gun after all these years. Can't wait to get it back and on the water again. Thanks for your inputs.

Man mine has always been a good starter. Hot , cold didn’t matter. And once it has started and ran that first time you just bump the key and it’s running. The first start of the day.. 3/4 throttle hit the key, push it in for choke. Till it pops. Then no throttle hit the key and it starts. I don’t have the VRO on mine anymore. Dual inline fuel pump kit. Work awesome. I run XD 50.. super unleaded non ethanol.