Hard starting 4hp Mercury

[Indyboater]

I have a 2004 4 hp Mercury outboard on a small fishing boat that stays at the dock. When not in use, the motor is tilted up, so the lower unit is out of the water. The motor is difficult to start initially. Per the instructions, I choke it for two pulls. It will often start on the first or second pull, but then dies immediately. Per instructions, I push the choke in. It will then take anywhere from 6 to 15 pulls before it will start and continue to run. I have replaced the spark plug and set the slow and high speed carb adjustments as the owner's guide suggests. After running, it will restart easily. What should I check or replace?

[TOHATSU GURU]

It sounds like a dirty carburetor so have it cleaned. Really cleaned, not sprayed with some fruity mechanic in a can carburetor cleaner....But, I'm intrigued by what you think you are adjusting. If you have a 2-stroke, there is an idle RPM adjustment and an air mixture screw adjustment. If you have a 4-stroke the only thing you can adjust is the idle RPM.

[Indyboater]

This is a two cycle engine. It has a slow speed carburetor adjustment screw and an idle speed adjustment screw. I mis-spoke mentioning high speed adjustment -that is fixed. I got my motors mixed up. Nonetheless, the starting difficulty has been since the motor was new, so I don't think it was shipped with a dirty carburetor. but I will clean it off-season.

[TOHATSU GURU]

"It has a slow speed carburetor adjustment screw" No, that is an air mixture screw.