I know this is off a beaten path,but you guys in OSO land seem to have all my answers so far to questions.

1985 Yamaha 220 horse? outboard.This was my old boat that I sold to a friend a few years ago.We have a very hard time on starting it for the first time every time we go out.The only way to get it to fire is to use starter fluid.Once it starts it will run fine all day and restart like there is no problem at all.I checked compression for him ,4 cylinders are at 120 psi,1 at 116 psi and one at 114 psi.The low cylinder are next to each other.He did replace head gaskets a couple of years ago because they started leaking water out side of head,but still ran fine.We replaced plugs and checked coil wires.When it does start it smokes like crazy for a second or two,it does have oil injection.Does any one here have a clue as to what I should look for?Please dont send me to "Scream and Fly and wish I had a big block" web site.I know some one here has to have an idea.Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Nordic95

This may be a stupid answer but you never know. How about the choke or priming circuit???Is it working properly. The compression difference seems to me to be well within specs. If you need starting fluid to get going when cold , I would first suspect the fuel system.

The choke works,it even has a manual one and we tried that to.I think there is a fuel pump some where on this thing but not sure.Maybe pump has low fuel pressure????It almost seems like there is to much oil and not enough fuel at first start up.Plugs come out black and oily.

Nordic95

My '00 175 JohnnyRude smokes like crazy on start up. I think it's programed to inject extra oil at startup. It has always been this way.

Does it sound like we should take it to someone that has a computer reader?I know this has a computer but I dont know how advanced it is for 85,can it be read for trouble codes?

Nordic95

After cranking it for a while and it doesn't start, pull the plugs and see what they look like. are they soaked in oil? Smell any gas? Getting a strong spark???

Looks lika a good spark,wet with oil and gas.Should start,thats what I dont understand.Even brand new plugs wont fire cold.

My old outboard smoked like crazy too at startup for a minute or two. You may want to check what good compression is for that Yamaha, my old Merc was around 135 psi if I recollect.

The starting problem may be a weak fuel pump, or it may be nothing at all My old merc took a lot cranking too at first start, especially the first time off the trailer. The choke solenoid on mine was weak, so the choke rarely worked. I think it takes awhile for enough proper fuel mixture to get to the cylinders. Overprime the thing by pumping the bulb a few times after it goes hard, it helps to hold it straight up and down while doing this.

After the inital start of the day mine started instantly.

I wouldn't keep spraying carb cleaner or ether for 2 strokes. Remember how they are lubricated, it washes the little oil they get away.

Oh, one more thing, before trailering the boat, it is a good idea to run the carbs out of gas (just by idling under no load) When you trailer it, all of the gas drains from the carb bowls into the crankcase; This could actualy result in flooding the cyls the next time you start it.

PS; I'm not a Yamaha expert, but I doubt an '85 would have any codes to read. I'd guess all it has is the 'brain box' for ignition advance and control.

Does anyone have the correct psi for compression?I dont have a book to look it up.We are doing the same thing,pumping the ball after it gets hard and sometimes that seems to help.I think its fuel,I need to find out more about the fuel pump.

Nordic95

I know you said not to say this, but you should ask over at Scream and Fly for that info.

Option #2 is call a Yami-ha dealer/service center and ask.