1988 Mercury 9.9 tiller hard to start wont stay running long than a few seconds.

[LeeMJ]

My 1988 9.9 is very hard to start and once started it wont run longer for a few seconds and shuts off immediately if I push in the choke. However if I manually open the throttle all the way it revs up and runs for a few seconds but then fuel pours out of the top of the carburetor (from what I believe to be the overflow) and it shuts down. any suggestions?

Update,

upon removing the carb and the float I found that the float is about half full of liquid. Is this normal or a sign that this is my issue?

Thanks

 

[MH Hawker]

Sounds like its due a needle and float replacement.

 

[Scott Danforth]

fuel is not supposed to pour out of the carb.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,... Sounds like a serious Carb problem,...

Pull it, 'n rebuild it,...