[rlindsay]

When the choke knob is pulled to depress the primer button, should fuel be seen squirting into the carb throat or is it going directly to the cylinder? I need to know if the plunger is working or if there could be an obstruction.

[hondon]

It is shooting into the intake manifold and you wo,nt be able to see it.What do you have going on?

[rlindsay]

The problem is difficulty with cold starting. Either my procedure is wrong or there's a problem with the fuel flow. Motor runs great once it starts but it takes 20 minutes of cranking at least to get it going. Your reply was a big help. I've gotten two conflicting opinions from boat mechanics and needed to know. I pump the primer by hand and see no fuel but hear it squirting. I'll assume it's working properly and try again.

[DavidStonehouse]

Hello, I have a 25hp 2003 mariner which apparently is simillar to the 25hp mercury.I use the following proceedure to start mine from cold.1. Squeeze the fuel line bulb untill it is hard.2. Pull out the primer knob(situated on the front of the motor)slowly one or two times and leave the knob out.3. Again squeeze the fuel line bulb just to make sure that it is hard.4. On the ignition switch turn the key to the right and press it in this will operate the electric choke. Keep it pressed in and then start the motor.5. Once the motor starts push in the engine primer knob or the motor will stall after a few seconds. .6.Lift up the warm up lever approx no more than1/4 or 1500rpm untill motor is warmed up.Then push it down.I appreciate that every motor or is different even similar models. Hope this helps.

[Laddies]

It sound like the primer is not working I have found a few of them with dirt or varnish in the check valve to the primer and need only to be cleaned out, while you have the carb off you can hook a gas line to it and make sure it is working before you reinstalling on the engine, don't buy a carb kit intill you check to see if you need one, as they are quite expenceive--Bob

[DHPMARINE]

Next time the motor is running and warmed up .... pull the choke out.If the motor quits right away,the choke/primer is working.If you do rebuild the carb,purchase the gasket/diaphram set as well as a needle/seat kit.The complete rebuild kit really IS costly.DHP

[rlindsay]

The problem seems solved. Plugs seemed OK but replacing them has definitely made a difference. My starting procedure was also faulty. Pulling out the choke knob to the first stop only advances the timing. Pulling it out even more actuates the primer button. The instructions to leave the knob out at the first stop means the timing is advanced until the engine starts and is then immediately pushed in. Turning the knob clockwise also advances timing. DHB, The advice to pull the choke out once the engine warmed worked when the knob was pulled to actuate the primer. Died quickly, so must be working. Forgot to mention this engine is a converted tiller model. The choke solenoid was never installed. If one can be ordered, I'll get it. The 2003 Mariner does seem to be much like this engine. Thanks to all for the great advice. I understand much better how things are working and surely saved a bunch of money. Good fishing!