Hard Starting

[Plank]

Have been reading this board for a few weeks and really enjoy it. Thanks to all for the participation.<br />Now for my question. A lot of people have written about Mercs being hard to start when cold. My 850 is no exception. I hate to admit this but if my engine did not get used for two weekends in a row, I place sandwich bag in the throat of each carb, turn it over till it coughs, remove the bags and start like any other engine i have owned.<br />I would like to hear from anyone that found a cure for this problem. I am no rocket geek, but i know there is no reason for my engine starting this hard.

 

[mbb]

Re: Hard Starting

Ive found 2 things important. I is to have motor trimmed all way down and tucked under a little if possible so fuel runs into engine instead of dripping out front of carb, and 2 is to have a 100% charged battery. If both are right, it only takes 10-15 seconds of cranking to get my old 90 to fire up. With a weak battery (slow cranking) I can run the battery dead before it starts the motor.

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: Hard Starting

You need to find the choke activator. It might be a pushbutton switch on the speed control box.<br /><br /> Or you might need to push in on the key while cranking it over to activate it.

 

[DJ]

Re: Hard Starting

planks,<br /><br />Ditto-yepblaze. Make sure the choke plates are actually closing off the thottle bodies.<br /><br />The "tilt down" rule is not totally without merit. Crossflow V-4, J & E's, are the same way.

 

[Trent]

Re: Hard Starting

You did not say which 850 you had. Six or four cylinder model. I am assuming you have the four cylinder model since they made alot more of them than the six cylinder model (but Im guessing). The four cylinder model DOES NOT have a choke. It has the enrichment system. As said above it needs to be checked. Looks somwhere near the carbs for (usually black in color) the enrichment valve. With the key on. Push the key in and see if this valve is working (clicking). If not try pushing the manual button on it and try to crank the engine. A stuck or burned out enrichment valve will give you the trouble you describe.

 

[Plank]

Re: Hard Starting

I have checked the valve and it is clicking. not sure what it really does, on a motorcycle carb the enricher actually squirts raw fuel into throat of carb when pushed down. Should you be able to see a stream of fuel going into the throat, or am i just listening for clicking?

 

[Trent]

Re: Hard Starting

It works the same way.. Make sure the enrichment hoses are not plugged, and fuel flows from the hoses when the enrichment valve is entergized.