help starting Merc

[grandx]

Motor is a 2 stroke merc 150 carburated. Engine used to start cold with a little choke, once warmed up... just turn the key and she'd fire right up. I had a little link/sink and timing check done on it recently. Lately it requires a little throttle to start up cold and warm. What should be adjusted or looked at to get it back where it was? Thanks in advance.<br /><br />dg

 

[kev_79]

Re: help starting Merc

Check idle air screws at top of carbs. Initial setting I think should be 1.5 turns out from bottom. You can call your merc dealer to confirm this. If engine runs great after warm up, this shouldn't be a great concern. Since it runs differntly cold than hot, you want your carbs to be set to run the best when hot. That is what matters the most, b/c the engine will warm up in a matter of minutes, but you have to run it hot all day. Good Luck

 

[grandx]

Re: help starting Merc

I'm listening. The thing is, it runs fine after warm up, but turn it off and let it sit a few minutes (still warm) and it will not just start right back up by turning the key. I have to choke it, keep in in nuetral, apply throttle etc to start again. I used to be able to start it (even cold) by pushing in the key (choke) and turning. Thats now a thing of the past. Whats possibly different??? I've heard it's a bad practice to apply throttle to start up, I can see if you are not paying attention the RPM's may jump up to an uncomfortable level without load on prop. Keep em coming kev, how bout it JB, 12foot?

 

[kev_79]

Re: help starting Merc

Never heard that it was bad practice to apply throttle on start up. I could see on a 4 stroke, b/c would be a dry start, but the fuel/oil has to go through the crankscase to get to the cylinder on a 2 stroke. I would go with the air screws. Set them to 1.5 rounds out, and if that doesn't help, go in 1.4 a round on each one to try to smooth out the prob. Another thought, I don't know how credible your mechanic is, but if the carbs aren't in sync, it may cause this prob also, and you will lose more at low end than at high. Make sure all the butterfly's are completely closed at idle. One being just a little more open will make one do funny things. Good luck

 

[opaled]

Re: help starting Merc

Not sure how related this is, but... I'm having a very similar problem on a Merc 115. From scanning this forum, and talking to someone locally, I think I've figured out that I have a choke/solenoid issue. (I'm only 3 weeks into boating, so my level is elementary) But I don't think I hear the click of a solenoid when I apply choke. Perhaps you might want to check the same.

 

[kev_79]

Re: help starting Merc

Merc 115 doesn't have butterfly's to restrict air. It has solenoid to push gas into carb to choke, and is located on at the top, close to the fly wheel cover. With cowling off, you should hear a prominent click.