hard starting 20 hp merc

[pmtrkr]

I have a 1986 20 hp mercury that starts really hard. It takes about 5 minutes of cranking to get it to start. once it starts it will start on the first pull every time the rest of the day. I don't think the choke is working properly because the motor sounds the same with the choke on and with it off. Also have a problem with power. Sometimes the motor will only run at half power with full throttle. Is this a carb problem or an electric?

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: hard starting 20 hp merc

Hard starting is normally a sign of a lean condition and that may well be due to a choke not working right, and the power problem also sounds like a carb problem.

 

[JMichael]

Re: hard starting 20 hp merc

The starting issue does sound like a problem with the choke. The problem with running half throttle sounds like you may have some trash floating around in the float bowl possibly blocking the jet at times. I'd pull the carb and give it a good cleaning and then see if it is squirting gas into the carb when you choke it.

 

[JMichael]

Re: hard starting 20 hp merc

Oops, guess I need to watch less TV and type faster once I start to respond to a post. LoL