4 stroke vs @ stroke cold starting??

J

John Sojka

Member
Guys can you tell me if the 4 stroke is a problem with cold starting lets say 25degrees and below???
I am looking at a 50 hp and thought I would ask this question before I make the purchase!

Let here from you guys with the 4 stokers!!!!

Thanks
John AKA Camoman
 
John, I have two four strokes (1) 15 hp Mercury short shaft on my Estuary. (2) 60 hp long shaft Mercury on my Alaskan Lund. I am in extremly cold weather hunting all the time. They both start incredibly fast. Never had a problem. The last weekend it was -2 degrees and I had 7 straight days with the temp at or below -7 degrees. Here is a pic of that last day hunting. I have heard they can be hard to start but I never have experienced that.
img9246nw5.jpg


Gary March
 
John ,

I run a 2005 Honda 30 four stroke here in RI. since you are from Conn. we proberly hunt the sme temps more or less , i have never had any issues with Honda neither has my partner Andrew with his 40 horse Honda four stroke , been out in -1 with no problems at all . As a habit i always rinse the motor out after saltwater use just tilt the motor down when done so the freshwater will drain and not crack anything . Good luck with you choice .




Dave M
 
John we live and hunt on Plum Island in MA. I had a 50 Honda that ran like a top in REALLY cold temps and it is still running in Northern Vermont. I also have a 90 Yamaha on my Pacific Skiff and it runs in cold weather no problem at all. I would not be concerned about it. HHG
 
Your car is a four stroke... the early ones (15 years ago) had some troubles... but my motor sometimes starts harder (takes longer to start), but it's not temp driven. My fuel hose is about 18'... so the bulb isn't like a rock when the hose is primed... never had a problem. I will never understand why some 2-strokers speak about 4-stroke as having problems... more moving parts (true), cold start issues (not in my experience)... the 4 stroke motors are... well... like your car. They perform perfectly well if you take care of them. Dave and I baby our motors and therefore we don't have a problem (knock on wood ; )
 
Nothing that good fuel stabilizer and a can of starting fluid won't fix. I keep a can of starting fluid (mostly ether) in my boats and cars. With todays generally crappy gas it's good to have a quick fix. I also have a quick start battery booster in cars and boats as I'm getting too old to hand crank an outboard and you can't always find help when your car battery goes out. Also, I'm a member of Sea Tow. My bud has a 90 suzy 4 stroke on his flat boat and has had no problems with it as to staring in cold weather. He keeps marine Stabil in the tank year round. If I wanted a 4 stroke I wouldn't let cold weather keep me from buying one.
JMO,
Harry
 
I have a 25 honda....2005 I think, on my pontoon. The only time I have problems starting is if we don't use it for a week or two. When we camp at the lake it starts instantly.
 
i have a 15 fourstroke honda and ive been having problems ,and its 15 years old never had a problem with it until started using it to hunt ocean at end of season minus 15 C weather,i have a number of things im going to change to see if it is the problem ,get a plastic tank and a feul seperator,...the list goes on
 
I have been wondering about this for the smaller horsepower motors 9.8-15 etc. Seems to me with the oil in the sump cold and thick .....that these would be hard to turn over. I know my lawnmowers can be really tough in cold weather but maybe there is a lot different with a lawnmower. Cars do start right up.

Anybody running a newer 9.8-15 4 stroke in 5-10 degree weather ? Most of my gunning is 15-30 degrees but you want to know she will start when needed most.

sarge
 
Having to use starter fluid is a symptom of a problem. Could be carb or could be weak spark. Starter fluid in any motor is less than desired but 2 strokes it is death on. I'd change plugs befor cold weather set in and change the oil to 5weight...put some good additive in and in Shermies case...run it at night without the hood on to see if spark is getting out of old plug wires or other wires.
 
I pull start my Yamaha 4 stroke 40 in all weather we have here in CT. I don't find the 3 minutes of warm up to be a real problem, I ususlly start before I leave the boat an go park the truck. Only time I would have a problem sitting around for 3 minutes is if I had to breathe the stink from an oily 2 stroke.
 
Gary, so you don't think the extra weight of the 4 stoke is a big deal on the Estuary? I've a owned couple of four-strokes before and really liked them but I think you're the only one that uses a four-stroke on their Estuary that I can recall. I'm still looking for a 15hp for mine there's really not a big rush, I won't be taking delivery till early summer. I'll just wait till I see a good deal and then just jump on it.
 
If your boat can handle the weight, I think you'd be very satisfied with a 4-stroke. I had a 60HP merc 4-stroke on my Xpress and hunted it for 7 years in temps down to -5 and I NEVER turned that key more than twice, and even 2 times was very, very unusual. It started great, sipped fuel and was quiet.

Good luck.
 
Phil
I very much like my four stroke on the Estuary. It weighs 115 lbs and I really don't feel that is a drawback. I have had the boat in winds up to 50+ mph and never felt in danger at all. I really enjoy the fuel efficiency and the lack of odor. If I had it to do over I would purchase the same motor again.

Gary
 
Do any of the 4 stroke manufacturers recommend synthetic? That would certaily help in the cold; it won't thicken up like conventional.
 
I have a Yamaha 50 hp and a Yamaha 115 both in 4 stroke. Excellent fuel economy, super quiet, easy starting. I have switched to Synthetic oil yet, but I am planning on it. I believe you'd be fine with it.
 
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