starting problem,1978 mercury 80 hp

[felderlostnspace]

i have a 78 mercury 80 hp 4 cylinder outboard that spins over great but will not start.i have fire to all 4 spark plugs.i can spray starter fluid in carbs and it spins for about 3-5 seconds and starts running,runs great and will restart after that unless you let it sit for 30 minutes or more.i have cleaned the carbs but i guess not good enough.any help would be great.thanks in advance.Bill Felder

[Laddies]

Try to richen the low speed needles 1/2 turn, ck to see if your choke butterflys are setting on the carb throats and if that don't work try raising the float levels, but most important QUIT USING STARTER FLUID, it will trash your engine for sure. If you have to squirt it, put some fuel mix in a squirt can

[felderlostnspace]

thanks for the response.i'll try what you mentioned and see what happens.as far as the starting fluid goes i used it to get back to the house.another boater had it.i know they say that it has lubricant in it but...........don't want to mess my motor up,i have had it too long.thanks again for the help.Bill Felder