aban_trackerman
Recruit
- Joined
- Jul 20, 2004
- Messages
- 5
I have a 1973 Mercury 500 50 HP. Seems to run great when cold. Also sounds like it is runnig good out of the water. After engine is warm, with the prop in the water, it usually starts and idles ok. When throttle is advanced from idle to low/mid range, it starts running rough and dies. Choking and pumping the prime bulb helps it recover. After it dies it is hard to start again. I have found that pumping the bulb before every start helps for a little while. It doesn't matter if the engine has been off for 2 minuites or 20, I have to prime.When squeezing the bulb it does get hard, but doesn't stay hard for very long. I have replaced the gas tank, gas tank hose and bulb. I have also replaced the diaphragm on the fuel pump, checked the filters on the carbs and replaced the carb bowl gaskets(one was leaking). The float and needle/seat looked good. I also decarbed and changed the spark plugs. I checked for leaks in the fuel system by closing the vent on the tank and priming until the bulb was hard. The bulb stayed hard for several hours(haven't looked at it since). I did notice when sqeeezing the bulb hard, gas would come out of one of the carburetors inlet and the others vent hole. I also might have a very small fuel leak on the throttle shaft. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks!