Hard to start my mercury

[littlejoe1974]

i decided today to try starting my mercury 40hp outboard as i havent had a chance over the last 2 months. it took nearly 40 minutes and 2 very tired arms to get it going. once it started i left it running until it ran on tickover without choke. i then stopped it and attempted to start it straight away and it still took several pulls to start how or what can i do to improve the starting to one or two pulls or is this the norm for an outboard of this make

[ferryman]

Geeesh 40 minutes of pulling

I would have been in A&E after 10

Personally I think a good service might improve things.

[woodsea]

I'm no expert but after just rebuilding my Yamaha would agree that a good service and cleaning the carburetors may help. Also are you using new fuel or has it been sat for 2 months?

[littlejoe1974]

hi woodsy i am far from being an expert as well and yes the fuel is old it has been in since i bought it . a little bit concerned that it might have " gone off " in such a short time . does 2 stroke fuel not have much of a shelf life then?

[monkeynuts]

a service and fresh fuel are the way to start, fuel will make carb get sticky and play up if left in them or if its old .
id try not to keep fuel for more than 6 weeks if you can help it and less if you pre mix 2 stroke oil with it

[Pete B]

Run her with a fresh bit of fuel. Quicksilver make different additives to 'clean up' after old fuels been used and that will clear through your engine in general, your local chandlery will sell it. I personally wont use fuel after its a month old.

[littlejoe1974]

now there is another eye opener.!! ::)i have such a lot to learn. so generally you can purchase some fuel keep it in a jerry can and when you check the weather and plan your trip you can add your oil or is there another simple method

[Pete B]

Jan 25, 2009 21:54:13 GMT littlejoe1974 said:

now there is another eye opener.!! ::)i have such a lot to learn. so generally you can purchase some fuel keep it in a jerry can and when you check the weather and plan your trip you can add your oil or is there another simple method

Your engine definetly isn't oil injected?

[littlejoe1974]

that is the second time we have mentioned oil injected pete is there a bit of a mystery with some old engines cos the guy i bought my boat and engine off never mentioned about oil injection in fact i dont recall him mentioning about mixing fuel and oil . i am going to drop him a line now thanks for planting the seed pete will keep you informed by pm

[scotty]

As has been said, you will have no end of trouble if you are using old fuel, 2stroke has a shelf life of 3months.

does your engine have a oil resovoir? if so then it is auto-mixing.
if its not auto-mixing and fuel has been left in the carbs then it is likely the jets are gunked up as the petrol evaporates and leaves the oil in there.

best thing you could do buddy would be to get it serviced, cant put price on saftey

Steve Dawkins 02380 406 648 < he will sort it mate, what he doesnt know about mercs isnt worth knowing

[woodsea]

Steve Dawkins 02380 406 648 < he will sort it mate, what he doesnt know about mercs isnt worth knowing [/quote]

I have to agree, but coming from Manchester it may work out expensive!! LOL Ask around locally for a recommendation.

[Pete B]

Try the obvious bits first, fresh fuel & change the plugs.
I've just had a problem sorted on my current engine that had us all baffled & put pay to all of Januarys fishing, in the end it was sorted by just winding the needles in on the carbs & then out again to the correct level - job done, good as new.
Also it's well worth getting a manual for an older engine that will give you all the levels, settings & much more. Another good book to get hold of is the 'Outboard engine Troubleshooter' by Peter White, published by Fernhurst Books.
Good luck