[Behintcha]

Ok, so I have a mercury 50 hp outboard motor. I can start the thing with starting fluid but it will then shut down. It seems to be getting fuel to the carbs and the dish at the bottom of the carb is full of fuel. The plugs have spark, but i still can't get it going.... What could it be if its getting fuel and spark?????

[This_lil_fishy]

Could be getting too much fuel (little dishes keep trying to fill when full (foam floats? Bad needles and seats?)), not enough spark (fouled plugs) or incorrect spark timing, or my least favorite...no/very little compression. Don't use starting fluid, it causes a whole host of problems, including big backfires if ignition timing is way off, and considering you're looking into the carbs..that would suck.

Ian

[Behintcha]

Well if its getting fuel into the carbs can it still be the jets? Also, the spark must be fine if it works with the starting fluid? It seems like its not getting the gas though...

[lots of boats]

Hi
Yes, starting fluid is to be avoided, and it will wreck a 2 stroke very quickly. What year is your Merc 50? If it has overflow jets on the front of the carbs that squeel a bit when you really pump the primer bulb in the fuel line then there is a chance the float bowl and needle and seat that "this lil fishy" mentioned are OK. In the older merc 50's there was a fine brass screen onthe side of the carb, before the fuel pump, and if it had any water behind that screen the motor would only run for as long as it took to use up the fuel you pumped out the overflow. If the gasket around the screen was old and didn't seat, the pump sucked air.... Can't really help without knowing the year etc. Cheers.