Hello, I have a 96 Cajun center console with a 200HP venom I believe is listed as a 95. I work overseas quite allot and have not been able to take it out in almost 2 yrs. Last few times I used it I had a very hard time getting it started, and ended up having to use starting fluid. Back in June I decided to take it to the shop to get checked out, and whatever needed to be repaired for it to run, so I can sell it, since I am never home. I took it to a local well known place and told them I wanted whatever needed to be fixed to be right so I could sell it. It will run great once it is warmed up and start everytime all day long, its just the initial start. I spent a little over $1000 and it still doesnt run. I had the tank drained and cleaned, a new water pump, and they said the choke solenoid was bad, so a new one of those, and they cleaned the carbs, and a few things more. When I picked it up I had the mechanic try to start it. He tried for a long time and couldnt get it to run. We backed it up into their lake and eventually ran my battery down. he finally got it to run a few times for a few seconds and he said just take it home and run it. As soon as I got it back home I had to come back overseas, and didnt get a chance to put gas in it until a few weeks ago. Bought a new battery and I spent about an hour trying to get it to run, with no luck, it will almost start but wont. I called them then and asked if they ever did a compression check, I would think this would be one of the first things to check, it is not on my receipt. The mechanic did not recall. I had to come back overseas again. I called them from here a few days ago again, and told them again, it will not run. They said I could bring it in but since it was worked on in June, he couldnt guaranty anything. But I wont be home for another 20 days and suarely that will be too long. I just want to get this thing running without having to drop another $1000 so I can sell it. I really feel like I got ripped off. I am a rig electrician, and know how to work on this stuff out here, but I know absolutely nothing about an outboard. Any advice, or someone that knows a mechanic that may be able to look at it for a fair price, I would really appreciated it. I had several people interested in buying but just had to tell them no, until I know whats wrong. Thanks

hard starting?
first thing is always a compression test. then leakdown test.
just to make sure your putting money into something that's worth it.
if it all checks out okay. then move foreward.

when you push the key in.. do you hear a "click" ? if so then the choke solenoid is okay.
do you pump up the primer bulb? is the bulb in the right way? should be an arrow on it pointing in the fuel flow direction.
from there.. i don't know.

btw. if it's low on compression that won't have much to do with it not starting. even low leak down won't cause it.
i've had motors with both bad and they fired right up. they just don't make alot of power if the #'s are low.

the real mechanics will be along soon with more help.

Mike Halfmann the boatmann is in San Marcos might try to contact him he is very knowledgeable.

Sell it as is??????

+1 on ole Mike. he's a good one

did they check the fuel pump? have you checked the fuel lines for any possible air leaks? even the smallest air leak on a fuel system and it will be miserable to start. had this problem with my 82 johnson 175, connection to the engine was loose and letting air in the fuel system. same deal once mine started and ran some it ran all day with no problem, just getting the first fuel into the carbs was the problem.

thanks for all the info I will check all this out when I get back home and give your mech a call.

If I am not mistaken the choke sol, is actually a primer that squirts gas into the carbs. Follow the small rubber tubes to the carbs recieving the gas when the key is pushed in. The ethonal is todays gas can eat away at these small hoses and not get the gas to the carbs to prime them for a cold start, I have ran across this on a few motors I have worked on in the past few years. If the Sol has a red lever on in the it is a primer sol. and not actually a choke. I cant remember on a 96.. Good luck I hope this helps..

it is still a solenoid on a 96

Like I said before, I have no idea whats what, but there is a red switch right there where the fuel line comes into the motor. I an guessing then this is the choke solenoid. They said they changed out the choke solenoid. I had no idea what that switch was for, maybe I have it in the wrong position, tried both ways. I disconnected the fuel line at the motor and pumped the bulb to make sure i was getting fuel. One thing I did notice, not sure if it means anything, the bulb is super hard and almost impossible to pump, even with the fuel line disconneted at the motor, but I was able to pump some fuel out. It will crank and crank like its gonna start, but just doesnt. I was afraid if I kept trying too much I might screw something else up, is that possible? I might need to change those small hoses out. Thats why I paid the mechanic to sort all that but I guess I just wasted my money.

almost impossible to pump even with the fuel line disconneted at the motor. That fuel hose is bad. With the fuel line disconnected it should free flow when bulb is pressed

With the fuel hose disconnected from the motor it should free flow fuel like mentioned above privided the fuel line is open ended. If it plug connects to the motor you would then have to press the ball check in the plug to free flow fuel. Another thing I have seen lately in the anti syphon fitting the tank where the fuel line comes form the tank failin due to the ethynol eating away at the ball seat making it stick. I have worked on several Johnson motors and they require alot of fuel to cold start i mean a lot. I would change out your bulb first and foremost Yamaha makes about the best squeeze bulb around. Stay away from the Attwood cheap bulbs. Just my experience..

GAry, top kat, thanks, I bet this is the problem. The plug connects to the motor, I was just disconnecting the small line inside, I have never disconnected it where it attaches to the outside.