Hard starting mercury 35

[randybr]

I have a mid-80s 35hp mercury that will require 20 to 30 pulls (it's a recoil starter) to get started when it is cold. once it starts 1 pull will restart it. It does'nt even threaten to start until the pull it finally does start then, flip to choke to halfway and let it warm-up. Everything will be dandy for the day and the problem will be back in the morning. Any ideas?

 

[alcan]

Re: Hard starting mercury 35

Hello Randy<br /> From the start it sounds like a fuel problem. I would check compression, check for spark, check fuel system all the way from the tank to the carb. Then check link and sync. If your timer and throtle are not in sync you will have starting problems. See if you have a bad fuel line connector. See if your flooding or not getting enough fuel. Check your primer bulb, dose it get firm? Let us know what you find.

 

[TarHeel]

Re: Hard starting mercury 35

Randy,<br /><br />I just went through a similar situation with a '73 20hp merc. Be sure to check your carb's butterfly valve too. There is an adjustment screw above and behind the carb that may be loose and in need of an adjustment. The butterfly should just start to open when you move your throttle to start. If it doesn't start to open until after you give it some throttle, then adjust it to move when you first move the throttle handle.<br /><br />It solved my problem.

 

[jwhite]

Re: Hard starting mercury 35

You mentioned that you pull the rope 20 or 30 times and when it fires up you pull the choke. If this is what you are doing then you are doing it wrong. You should first pump the bulb untill it is hard, then pull the choke on and start pulling untill it fires once (should only take 2 or 3 pulls). Then push the choke off, throttle it up a little and pull again. When it cranks let it run a little at fast idle to warm up. When its warmed up just throttle it back down to idle and you're ready to go.