disconnecting carb linkage on '99 90hp Merc

[wn6ngp]

I'm in process of removing carbs to clean them out/rebuild. I have them out mostly except for the linkage of carbs to something down at bottom of motor (I think its the oil ratio control). It looks like a ball and socket hold that the carb to this linkage. Question is how to disconnect? Does the plastic ball on the carb simply pop out of the socket by applying force like with a screwdriver or is there some kind of release tab that I am not seeing that is holding the ball into the socket.


tks for any help.

 

[Texasmark]

I had the 2002 of that engine, same design essentially. I had all plastic where yours are metal.....cost savings thing surely, and I just popped mine off prising from behind with a medium, flat blade, screwdriver. You can do 2 things to ease your mind: 1. Get a mirror and look closely behind the connection for any release mechanisms which you probably won't find. 2. Put your medium sized flat blade behind it and put slight to moderate pressure behind it. If you see it move, go for it!

If yours are all metal fine but if you have any plastic ones check for cracks. I had several cracked. The link and sink on this engine is tricky and the engine is finicky if wrong so you don't want any sloppy connections caused by failed snap-ons.