How to rope start an E-TEC

[mastreb]

One of the things I really like about the ETEC motors is that they can be rope started. It's a critical safety feature IMHO but missing on a lot of modern outboards. I'm surprised its possible to rope-start the ETEC-90, but it is.

So I decided to test pull-starting my E-TEC-60 last week just for grins while at the slip. To make a short story even shorter, I couldn't figure out thing-one about how to do it. I could see the flywheel, but didn't realize that the flywheel cover came off, and the manual does not come with any information about how to rope start it (although my motor did come with a rope with a nice little wooden handle.

Found this excellent video going through the whole process on an ETEC-90.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N7ktbyRb02g

It's the sort of thing you should definitely practice before you need it. I'd recommend using a line long enough to do the pull from forward of the helm to really get some torque on it.

I personally would not put the cowling back on a running motor, I'd just put the engine cover on and deal with the cowling when I got back to port and turned it off.

Matt

[Doug W]

Thanks, Matt! That's a great idea. I had been wondering if I could rope start my Etec 60 if needed. I'll definitely be giving it a try when I get her back into the water!

[pokerrick1]

Once upon a time in MDR my batteries died (before I got into the practice of saving one for just starting the engine) and I sailed the boat to a the launch ramp dock where Mike and Jeff Inmon met me. We tried to start my 60 Etec by hand and couldn't do it (subsequently I learned about removing the cowling by reading the instructions )

We then sailed the boat back to slip and plugged it into shore power and in one hour it started right up. I never again tried to start the Etec by hand because I then always kept a battery just for starting - - - however, I agree that one should read the instructions and then try to start the engine by hand so they know they can do it BEFORE IT IS NECESSARY

Rick

[seahouse]

I did a "dry" run of the rope start (E-tec 60) procedure from outside the boat when I winterized it this fall. My instruction manual did tell how to remove the flywheel cowl, but when I actually got around to doing it (much later), it looked like you needed a tool to remove it. Of course, as it turns out, you just lift it off with a little force. Might actually try it next season.

I fully agree about not re-installing the cover after you get it started. I think there's more risk of injury putting it back on over the spinning flywheel than just leaving it as is.

[Kittiwake]

A very useful thread and movie clip ... although the mind boggles at trying to reproduce those steps with cold fingers while leaning over the engine & transom in any sort of waves.
Kittiwake

[seahouse]

Just watched the video. Good one. One thing I would do differently (and this goes for pretty much anything you're pull-starting, to increase your chances of success) is to take the slack out of the cord and pull lightly on the cord and get the crankshaft to a position of maximum compression right before you pull for the start. Goes for multi-cylinder engines as well as single-piston engines. Had he done this, his chances of a first-pull fireup would have been improved.

- Brian.

[mastreb]

A very useful thread and movie clip ... although the mind boggles at trying to reproduce those steps with cold fingers while leaning over the engine & transom in any sort of waves.
Kittiwake

In my test, I attempted to do everything from the cockpit. You have to get right down in the well, but I was able to get the engine cover off and I'm pretty sure I can get the cowling off as well. In any kind of chop, you'd want to lash your belt to the helm because at least in my case, my center of gravity was overboard while doing this. I'm also a pretty big guy, not sure whether that's an advantage or disadvantage.

In any case, I'll do my next test in the bay and report back.

[2BonC]

- - - however, I agree that one should read the instructions and then try to start the engine by hand so they know they can do it BEFORE IT IS NECESSARY

Rick

..reading manuals is chicken-hearted

[bscott]

Thanks Matt-- www.etecownersgroup.com is an excellent resource with very knowledgeable dealers on board. They even rope started an I-3.

Bob

[Divecoz]

After watching 8 minutes.... of a Video hahahaha... I have to say, with that cowling on the fly wheel the water better be smooth as glass..

[robbarnes1965]

One day I will have to try the same on my Honda bf50. The one attempt was terrible. In hindsight though I wonder if I turned the ignition key on? Leverage with the pedestal and sides interfering with the pull movement was VERY challenging. Has anyone else done it on a Honda?

Rob

[Phil M]

My Honda does not start immediately after I crank the engine, especially when the Honda is cold. I am guessing the crew would need to be UFC rated in order to crank that thing manually from a cold start.

Phil M

[DaveB]

The Honda 50 will start hand cranking it. You have to take off the 4 bolts holding the crank chaft cover than you need 1/8 braded line to make the 4 turns around the crank shaft. Then other end should be fastened to a large item like a 1 inch wood dowel 4 inches long but you can use a small heavy screw driver to.
Trick is to make sure you pump the fuel line full,wrap the 4full line around crank shaft and pull it like your life depended on it. You don't give it full effort you will never start it. Takes usually 6-10 times before it fires up. Sometimes if engine is still warm it may start first time.
Dave

One day I will have to try the same on my Honda bf50. The one attempt was terrible. In hindsight though I wonder if I turned the ignition key on? Leverage with the pedestal and sides interfering with the pull movement was VERY challenging. Has anyone else done it on a Honda?

Rob

[Québec 1]

Yep, did it with my Honda, and yes I had bruised arms from hitting everything in the cockpit when pulling the stock starter rope. Took 12 tries or so before I got it going, but it does work! I bolted the casing back on before leaving so I didn't loose the bolts. The next day I realized that the cables had not been properly tightened on my 2 new recently installed batteries 2 months earlier. I'm a lucky man.

Q1

[kurz]

Hello
I tried the rope start with my mercury 60HP Modell 2011 yesterday. And I can say, it is easy to get away the plastic to put on the rope.
First I was not sucsessful and finally I got for me a perfect setting:

Don not pull just the line with an ear, it hearts the hands. So put a good piece of wood to pull. Second: Dont stand/sit near the helm or motor. The space is too small and you cannot get your muscle power in the starting maneuvre. Get a longer rope, put in in the motor and go DOWN INTO THE CABIN! In this position you have a perfect stand and the line goes almost horizontal to the motor and you have enough space the work, maybe even 2 people can help.

Just an idea...