Primer Solenoid Questions

[A ReelCool Chick]

Hey all!

So, my '94 Evinrude Ocean Pro 225 has been acting up on the cold start lately. This motor has a primer solenoid, and my start process is squeeze primer bulb until hard, press key in (which activates the solenoid) and turn while pressing. Sometimes I have to do this about 3 or 4 times to get her to start.

My engine doesn't like that anymore, and the last couple of times, I've started it with the throttle lever (?) on the engine. Please let me know if that's a no-no. Also, once she starts and is warm, she's great.

I think I've isolated the problem to the solenoid. It does click when I press in the key, it's supposed to shoot out fuel with each press, but when I removed the tubes, the first press is a great flow, second press is weak flow, third is non-existant flow. Understanding that the solenoid needs a pressurized fuel to release the fuel, I check the primer bulb, and it's only one squeeze away from being hard.

I'm thinking that I should still get some sort of flow from the solenoid if the bulb is one squeeze away from being hard. Please let me know if I'm wrong.

I've turned the lever on the solenoid that completely opens the solenoid, and she starts that way. This is what leads me to believe the solenoid is bad. Please let me know if there is another issue to consider.

If it is indeed the solenoid, I'm looking to try to rebuild it, but the kits I've seen online is only the lever and the top cover. Please let me know if there is a more complete kit, and things to look out for when rebuilding this thing.

As always, thanks in advance for your help!