Merc 25hp dies at idle

I am new here but it seems there is wealth of information. Some issues are very close to what I have but not exact, so here goes...I have a 1989 merc 25 hp outboard and this past weekend it was stalling at idle. I can get it started but she'll die after about a minute or so. I noticed the only way to keep it running is push in the choke behind the key, other than that it will die. If I can get it started and shift into gear quickly it is ok at 1/4, 1/2 and full throttle. It is only when I pull into low speed or nuetral that it will stall. It does not stall quickly as if I shut the key off, it hesitates, shakes and then stalls like it is starving for fuel. If it is starving for fuel, why would it run at 1/4 to full speed? I even noticed one time that when it wanted to stall I squeezed the primer bulb and it started to run ok as well. Of course like everyone else I tried the obvious like fresh gas, new plugs clean the tank etc...The tank and primer bulb are a few years old, have not really inspected for damage but will this weekend. Does it sound like a primer bulb or fuel pump to anyone? Please help. Thanks.

Re: Merc 25hp dies at idle

I'd rebuild that carb. Get the kit that has the pump parts in it too since you will have everything apart anyway. My 98 did the same thing..it would die while setting out and picking up decoys..rebuilt it and ran like a dream.