Re: poorly blue band
This seems to be a recurring theme. Guy takes a motor to a shop. Shop does something and says its fixed. Returns motor to guy. Guy tries motor and problem remains. Don't shops actually TEST a motor before returning it? I run a small outboard shop on the side and if a motor comes to my shop with an issue, it doesn't leave until it is right. If the complaint is hard starting, it doesn't go until it starts on three or fewer pulls every time! It just burns me that so many posts here have people who have taken motors to shops, spent a great deal of money, and gotten their motors back with no improvement in performance.
Okay, got that rant off my chest. Back to the issue at hand...
Couple things to check. Make sure the choke linkage and actuator are giving the carbs FULL choke when activated. It's not uncommon for these linkages to get loose with age and start closing only part way. These Mercs are typically on the cold-blooded side and like full choke when starting cold.
Second, did the shop just pull some carb plugs and blow things out with carb spray, or did they actually remove the carbs, clean them thoroughly and replace all the innards with what comes in the kit? Removing those carbs takes a bit of doing with the ignition and starter apparatus in the way, and it's not unheard of for someone to take a shortcut and just try to clean it the easy way.
Ask the shop some questions. Find out EXACTLY what they did. Ask them if they did a compression test (a first check for any motor that comes into my shop, regardless of the issue). Ask them if they actually tested the motor on the water or in a test tank. Ask for the replaced parts from the carbs (float, needle, seat, gaskets, etc.). Ask if they checked the fuel pumps.
Good luck!
- Scott
