Mercury 60 ELPTO only runs when choke is occasionally activated

[scottmcm]

I recently purchased a pontoon with a 2000 Mercury 60 ELPTO from a local guy. It has not been run for at least a year, and it is not running very well. I can't get full power from it unless I activate the choke intermittently (about once every second or so). Otherwise it has very little power. I can get 22mph out of it by manipulating the choke, but only 10-12mph out of it otherwise. I have filled it with fresh fuel, and have replaced the filter. The bulb pumps up tight when first started. I believe it is a fuel delivery problem, but where?

 

[MTboatguy]

If you have to use the choke, to get it to run better, that would lead me to believe the engine is running lean, you probably need to drop by a shop and have them tune it up, which normal after an engines sits for a while.

 

[scottmcm]

Thanks for responding. I'm taking it to the shop tomorrow.

 

[ondarvr]

You can destroy the motor ruining it like that. Clean the carbs.

 

[scottmcm]

Took it to the shop today. Better to let someone work on it that knows what he's doing. The mechanic said it was common for an engine to behave that way when it had not been cranked in more than a year. He's going to check the entire engine, foot and all, while he has it. I got a killer deal on it, so I can afford to invest a little more into it.

 

[scottmcm]

Shop called yesterday.....boat is ready to be picked up....let the fun begin!!LOL

 

[MISC]

I just had the same thing on a pontoon I bought last week with a 50 ELPTO . Took a couple of tries and about $50 in gaskets and materials/cleaners but the carbs were gummed up from sitting so long. Tried to clean the first time with just a spray cleaner after I took them off. Actually had to soak them overnight in some B12 carb cleaner I got from AutoZone on the second try to get them right. Never messed with carbs before but watched a good video on YouTube and they came off pretty easily. Learned some valuable PM skills, fixed it myself and saved a lot of money. Glad yours is good to go. Go enjoy that toon like we will be this weekend.

 

[scottmcm]

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