Its a 1986 engine that is a bear to start, but once running restarts easy time after time. No fuss. Only way I found to start it is to remove the cowling and the sparkplugs, squeeze the fuel line bulb 'til its hard, then choke,and crank the engine over until the carbs burp out some fuel. (it wont spit out any fuel unless I remove the plugs, only runs down the battery like.) After all this it is as nice as can be and purrs sweetly all day. But, all this effort and grime make a poor fisherman late from the dock. I suspect its a case of maintenance as a last choice on my part and I own up to it. But now its late in the year and not near as pleasant outside with the wrenches as twas in June, ouch! So yea, I deserve this too. Now for the fix. It needs a little help getting the gas up from the tank and many possibles arise to mind, mainly fuel pump,carb, and filter. Even lines and bulb could be faulty, and I have never cleaned the carbs in the 6 years I have had this engine. Are there carburetor and fuel pump kits available, if so Where can I get them? Could it be something I did not mention. I have no manual either, which do you think is good. Beyound the starting problem the motor runs and idles nicely. So what do you all think of this little problem that I got now right in the middle of the Striper run? Cheers, and I hope you all have a best holidays possible. Fishboy
<br /><br />With the sparkplugs removed, and the engine cranking, you should not get any fuel into the cylinders, and the air will not be pumped thru the engine; the air will just move in and out of the sparkplug hole as the piston slides up and down. So I am not sure how this is helping to start your engine. I guess doing this allows the engine to crank faster and fuel pump to run faster.<br /><br /> ""Now for the fix. It needs a little help getting the gas up from the tank ''"<br /><br />The primer bulb should get the fuel up to the engine, fuel pump only pumps it to the carbs.<br />Probably a very good idea to rebuild the fuel pump, diaphram kit available at any Mercury dealer, about $10.<br />All new fuel lines and bulb would be a good idea too, sounds like you may have a small leak that is sucking air. ?<br /><br />Choke is working properly?<br /><br />The Clymer manual is a good choice for Force motors, more model specific with many photos.<br /><br />In the mean time, get a small squirt bottle and put a few ounces of premixed fuel into it.<br />Follow normal starting procedure, but instead of removing your plugs, just squirt some fuel into the carbs, then choke it and try cranking it.<br /><br />Carb kits available from Merc dealer, or maxrules dot com<br /><br />keep us posted, happy fishing.