1990 xr4 question

BASCSTR

Cadet
Joined
Apr 14, 2012
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29
Hey everyone, i have a 1990 merc xr4, that has suddenly decided not to start . When i removed the cover plate on the carbs and manually turned the throttle lever only the upper two left nozzles sprayed out any fuel into the butterfly. Is this normal? The last time it was cranked and ran on ears, at first start i got the impression it was running on one bank, but then the other would kick in and idle fine. I did sea foam it through the gas, is it possible to carb clean it or deep creep? I read it in another post and am not aure how to do it........all help is greatly appreciated!
 

CharlieB

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Joined
Apr 10, 2007
Messages
5,617
Re: 1990 xr4 question

Were you pumping the primer bulb while they 'sprayed"?

Carbs do not have accelerator pumps, you should not see any fuel unless a carb is flooding.

Most of the two barrel V-6 carbs are actually two seperate carbs contained within one hosing. Seperate float chambers, float, needle, seat each.

Check the condition of all fuel hoses, the inside lining has a nasty habit of dying, loading the system with clear gaak, chemical cleaners cannot remove it all.

New hoses, primer, complete carb cleaning

Spark test

Compression test

You should have it running beautifully
 

BASCSTR

Cadet
Joined
Apr 14, 2012
Messages
29
Re: 1990 xr4 question

On rebuilding the carbs, on this xr4, can i reuse the hardware inside and just replace the gaskets, or is there any reason i have to buy a rebuild kit?
 

CharlieB

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Apr 10, 2007
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5,617
Re: 1990 xr4 question

Before pulling the carbs, level the motor (turned OFF) open the throttle wide, pump the primer while looking down the throats, if any throat shows fuel you will need a kit to replace the needle/seat to seal correctly.

Kits include most gaskets and are cheap, check the iBoats store for a price.
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,985
Re: 1990 xr4 question

On my '93 Merc 135V6, fuel is drawn from top carb to enrichen lower two carbs, when choke is energized.
 
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