I have a 98 Evinrude OceanPro 200hp. It is hard to start when cold. Starts with a bump of the key when warm. I have cleaned the carbs and replaced the plugs. I usually just hit it with a little starting fluid so as to not run the starter much. Any ideas on what the problem may be?

No getting enough fuel to the motor. I was told by the guy at Service Marine, because I have a 97 200 Evinrude also, to pump the fuel bulb till it's hard, then go choke it with out cranking it for 10 - 12 seconds, repeat this and make sure the bulb is still hard. Should fire up without any problem. I cant tell you how frustrated I would get because it took forever to start. Hope this helps.

Is your primer solenoid "clicking" when you choke it???

Most common cause of hard cold start: operator error

The "push-to-choke" primer does the same thing as starting fluid, only with less effort on your part - drains fuel into the cylinders to richen up the mixture for cold starting.

Pump bulb till firm, hi-idle lever full up (unless your motor has "quick-start"), key "on" push in for 7 or 12 seconds then continue pushing in while turning to "start".

If it starts to die out before getting warmed up, bumping the choke just for a second usually revives it.

Choke plates work so well - I don't know why they ever abandoned 'em for the "primer" system.

The "quick-start" feature (don't remember which models have it) automatically advances the spark for a high idle until the engine warms up, then drops it back to normal idle speed.

Note: starting fluid doesn't have lubricating oil - premix in a spray bottle is better for your engine.

Have the same problem with mine on a 95 200 Evinrude. Started holding the key in to prime motor for about 20 seconds and it starts easily now. I do have to pump bulb up after it starts to keep enough gas up. After it warms up it will start just by looking at the key.

Make sure your engine is trimmed all the way down. You want the carbs sitting higher than the cylinder heads. Gas can't flow uphill! So trim it down, then choke it.

DON"T run starting fluid through it. It shouldn't need it. Starting fluid isn't good for a 2 stroke.

thats what I was going to suggest.mine starts like a champ since I've been trimming the motor down before I try to start it..

Not it is not. Think you might be on to something. Didn't think anything of the no clicking because there are no choke plates.

There is starting fluid with lubricating oil in it. Not that I use it. The bearings still have oil on them from when is was shut off anyway.

I guess the cylinder walls & rings might, also...until you wash it off with solvent (starting fluid).

Yea I agree its not good for it but don't think its something to worry about.

Ordered a manual on CD off of ebay yesterday.

CD manual off ebay is just about unreadable from a very poor scanning job, but at least they managed to remove any information about the copyright.