Mercruiser wont start

I just bought my first ski boat about a month ago and have used it 5 or 6 times. It has a 1984 120 mercruiser in it. It seems to have trouble starting when I first launch it. It idles rough and will sputter or stall if I try to push the throttle too fast, and it seems like its worse if i fill up right before i launch it. Once i run it for 15 minutes or so it will run and idle great for the rest of the day.

When i went to the lake yesterday I filled up right before I went and when I got there I started it up and it started for a second and idled rough and then stalled and i havnt been able to get it started again. Does this sound like I need a new carb or carb rebuild? I thought it might be a fuel problem so I changed the fuel filter and bypassed the fuel pump and hooked an outboard gas can right to the carb with good gas and still nothing, it will just keep turning over and over just wont fire.

Re: Mercruiser wont start

Check for excess fuel in the carb. Pull plug and see if it's wet with gas.

You may have a corroded exhaust manifold/riser joint. Is this a 2.3 ford engine?

Re: Mercruiser wont start

Are you getting 2 good shots of fuel when the throttle is engauged? 1st start with the fuel delivery system fuel pressure, tank vent fuel pick up tube and screen then check to see if the pump is giving you adquit pressure, after that get a new set of plugs cap rotor points and condensor if it has them full tune up then move onto carb try the least expensive and less troublesome issues first.look @ the rop of this forum in the stickies section and you will find the manual for your engine and many helpfull aids to some common issues do your troubleshooting 1st before changing out parts and test after each procedure to make sure not just throwing parts at her. post back with results and good luck!

Re: Mercruiser wont start

i think there is a how to start sticky in the adult section, be careful when you fuel up right before you start it, run the blower ,but i dont like to do it.