2005 50hp Merc hard to start cold

I have a 3 month old boat and it's always been really hard to start cold. I can start if after about 10 -15 seconds of cranking if I have the throttle opened. It starts great after driving it.

Re: 2005 50hp Merc hard to start cold

[colour=blue]Hi lhrklr, welcome to iboats!!:}

Is this EFI or carby? How many hours?

Re: 2005 50hp Merc hard to start cold

this is a carburated model, not sure of the serial # right now, but I can find it if needed. I was wondering if this would be a warranty issue or if this is kinda normal for this engine. I've never owned a mercury enging before. I really think it's a little bit flooded when you first put it in the water somehow. After you drive it then try to start it, it cranks right up unless you fish a long time before trying to start it. Then it has to crank quite a bit before it start. You can tell when it's clearing out before it starts, it tries to start then dies a few time then when it does start I make sure to run it at about 2000 rpms for about 10 seconds to clean it out then it's ready to go. Thanks alot... Larry Robinson

Re: 2005 50hp Merc hard to start cold

VERY LOW HOURS, LIKE ZERO, SINCE IT'S DONE IT SINCE THE DAY I GOT IT, MARCH 21ST. PROBABLY HAS ABOUT 100 HOURS OR SO??

Re: 2005 50hp Merc hard to start cold

This is typical of carborated Mercs. If you have power trim, make sure the engine is trimed down completely before starting so that the fuel will run into the carbs instead of out. My '87 100 hp merc starting improved dramatically after I put it on a hull with a larger angled transom. Also, after a long period (1 hour or so) I often need to re-prime the fuel line.

Re: 2005 50hp Merc hard to start cold

Try this: 1) squeeze primer bulb til firm. 2) raise fast idle lever, 3) turn key to ON (not START) 4) push in and hold for count of 8 5) turn key to START. When engine starts, you may need to bump the key (choke) a time or two until the engine smooths out. It's all int he technique. Try something different when what you are doing doesn't work.

Re: 2005 50hp Merc hard to start cold

Thanks for the help guys, I have tried alot of different things trying to figure out the personality of this engine. I am a seasoned mechanic at a Ford dealership so I do have a fair understanding of what's going on. I don't claim to be a boat mechanic for sure. I've heard of trimming the engine all the way down before starting. Not sure what that means exactly. I don't normally start it with it up with prop out of water...lol. I always wonder how long it should be trimmed down before trying to start it. As you know, there are usually people at the boat ramp in line to get in or out so, don't have alot of time to screw around..know what I mean. It don't seem to make any difference if I pump the priming bulb up or not when starting. If I ever try to choke it at all it takes much longer to start, those two things there really make me think it's flooding somehow. Starts really well after that though. Thanks guys, keep em coming

Re: 2005 50hp Merc hard to start cold

Hmm... My engine takes a lot of fuel to start. If I hit the enricher valve a couple of times it fires right up though. Once it's run a little bit, a bump of the starter is all it takes the rest of the day. I would definitely take it to the dealer and let them check it out, my motor is 20 years old and it will start in just a couple of seconds once I've dumped some fuel into it VIA the enricher.