2001 Mercury 40hp starts great and runs great except when idling low in gear

[jscheller]

Hey everyone! I recently purchased a 2001 bass tracker. It has a 40 Hp mercury on it. The motor fires up right away every time. It idles fine in neutral but when I put it in gear it dies a lot. If I get it revved up a bit it runs perfectly without a hitch. It's just that first shift into gear that gives it trouble. Should I try increasing the throttle some? Thanks in advance!

 

[Texasmark]

Takes more HP to turn the prop than required while idling. Low speed needle jets probably need a little tweak, backed out a tad (1/8 turn) at a time till it shifts and stays running. If you don't know the jets are the brass knurled, spring loaded screws on the side of the carbs, usually on the left (Port) side looking forward. If the carbs haven't been reworked since it was new, being a '01, get a couple of kits, some Berryman's Chem. Tool (auto parts store, WM), compressed air and rework them. They sell carb kits on this site.

Mark