initial starting problem

[longrail67]

I have a 1999 ( I think ) 115e7lk . hard to start initially , starts most of time with starting fluid. after that it starts perfect all day. when it wont start on initial start up the plugs look oil fouled. any help?

[Jason2tpa]

I have no idea what 115hp model is represented by "e7lk". But I'll assume your engine is carbed.

Are you following the cold starting guidelines stated in your owners manual? It's quite possible you are flooding the cold start by using too much choke. It's quite possible your mix is too rich. Or it's quite possible both are occurring. When was the last time you confirmed the spec seating of the carb idle mix screws?

I can understand you want to motor to start. Be that as it may, using starter fluid to do so is damaging your engine by it eating the oil in your fuel before your engine can eat it. And it sounds like using it is routine. I'd address the problem causing you to use starter fluid before you cause an even bigger problem.

[ausnoelm]

Did it ever start OK? or is it new to you and it has never been OK.

[rejesterd]

If it continues to run fine all day after the first hard start, then it's probably not fuel-related. If it were, the engine would bog down and stall out once the starter fluid vapors burn off. So I would guess it's spark-related, especially if the plugs look oil-fouled. If they're oil-fouled, that means excess oil is leaking into the combustion chamber. I would check the compression in each cylinder. If they all look ok, then I would take it in to a mechanic. If the spark plugs are oil-fouled, and it's not due to a worn seal/ring, then I would stop troubleshooting it on my own and take it in.