Re: Hard Starting 1978 Merc 115
Maybe you have a newer motor than you think. Don't believe a '78 originally came with an enrichener, but someone could have retrofitted it.<br /><br />You should see a knurled brass knob on the enrichener, the normal position of this knob is fully clockwise. If you rotate it CCW, it's in the 'manual prime' position and fuel flows thru the enrichener directly without it being electrically energized.<br /><br />It's possible that the enrichener could be plugged up. Pull the hose on the discharge (manifold) side of the unit, and manually open the valve. See if fuel flows thru the valve when you squeeze the fuel hose primer bulb. If not, you've got a problem there.<br /><br />If it does, shut the valve and try it again electrically. <br /><br />If it fails electrically, but fuel flows in the 'prime' position, you should be able to use the 'prime' position to try and start the motor. If that works, the valve may needs to be replaced. Or perhaps it's gummed up and cycling it a few times, or removing it and cleaning it out, will free it up.<br /><br />Don't forget that the enrichener will only work electrically as long as you have the key "on" and the choke button depressed.<br /><br />A friend of mine found a strange phenomenon on his 3-cyl 90 HP Merc; if he cranked then engine then depressed the choke, it wouldn't start. If he turned the key 'on' THEN choke THEN start, it fired right off every time. Go figure! Maybe once cranking, there's not enough voltage to pop open the primer. Never know, you might just try it and see what happens.<br /><br />G'luck and let us know............ed
