Mercury 60HP 2005 Elpto 2-stroke hard to cold start, only start at Throttle only

[Momoto]

Hi all. I have a 2 stroke Mercury Elpto 60HP on a year 2005 tracker boat 19 foot boat. It will not cold start (follow choke, prime and start process). It will start only if following the manual's "flooded engine" procedure. That is, 1) press the throttle only button and push throttle to full, then 2) without prime and turn the key. It will start and 3) immediately start to reduce engine speed. It has been like this in last couple of outings to the lake. No fun if not starting in the middle of a lake. Engine may stall in long idle, but other than that, it runs fine once started. Follow the maintenance steps with the manual word by word, new fuel and only refuel as needed (no old fuel every time), new spark plugs, oil level fine. Bought a SELOC manual to see if something can be tackled myself. But better ask the experts here before doing anything stupid.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Mercury 60HP 2005 Elpto 2-stroke hard to cold start, only start at Throttle only

On cold starts you MUST use the fast idle feature. It is simply the nature of a carbureted two-stroke motor. The colder it is the more prime you need. The fast idle does not need to be set full open but 1/2 should work. And you don't have a choke -- it is a primer system. Even when warm, some engines like a little fast idle to start quickly.

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Mercury 60HP 2005 Elpto 2-stroke hard to cold start, only start at Throttle only

On cold starts you MUST use the fast idle feature. It is simply the nature of a carbureted two-stroke motor. The colder it is the more prime you need. The fast idle does not need to be set full open but 1/2 should work. And you don't have a choke -- it is a primer system. Even when warm, some engines like a little fast idle to start quickly.

Ditto, I have the '02 90 triple and have the same thing. I think it is the result of EPA requirements and the engine mfgrs. design the engines as lean as possible. Well a lean engine is hard to start so you need to "enrich" the mixture to get it to light off on a cold, cooled down, engine.

Mark

 

[25xs]

Re: Mercury 60HP 2005 Elpto 2-stroke hard to cold start, only start at Throttle only

TexasMark: You describe the OPPOSITE problem of the original post. He has to use full throttle & no prime to start and you are saying you need to use the primer to start..?

I think he has a fuel issue... Perhaps a leaking carburetor float valve is allowing the engine to flood while it's shut off OR the primer valve is leaking past it's seat. This also explains why it loads up and dies on a long idle like he mentions. Back yard mechanics seldom get those carb floats set up right (seated as well as drop measurements) and it's common for that engine to have debris in the fuel system from the plastic lined fuel hose Mercury used at that time. There are "shards" of degraded plastic fuel liner material downstream from the filter that clog or block open the needle & seat valve inside the carbs. If the pieces of liner are found, then ALL of the fuel lines under the cowling need to be removed & replaced.

When fully warmed up, that engine should start easily without pushing in on the key & idle for hours without stopping or running too rich.

Remember, on a two stroke, multi-carb engine, if one cylinder isn't getting enough gas to run properly (or too much) then it's not getting enough oil on that cylinder either (or too much). Continuing to operate a two stroke engine that is not running right will often cause permanent damage.
Tom

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Mercury 60HP 2005 Elpto 2-stroke hard to cold start, only start at Throttle only

TexasMark: You describe the OPPOSITE problem of the original post. He has to use full throttle & no prime to start and you are saying you need to use the primer to start..?

I think he has a fuel issue... Perhaps a leaking carburetor float valve is allowing the engine to flood while it's shut off OR the primer valve is leaking past it's seat. This also explains why it loads up and dies on a long idle like he mentions. Back yard mechanics seldom get those carb floats set up right (seated as well as drop measurements) and it's common for that engine to have debris in the fuel system from the plastic lined fuel hose Mercury used at that time. There are "shards" of degraded plastic fuel liner material downstream from the filter that clog or block open the needle & seat valve inside the carbs. If the pieces of liner are found, then ALL of the fuel lines under the cowling need to be removed & replaced.

When fully warmed up, that engine should start easily without pushing in on the key & idle for hours without stopping or running too rich.

Remember, on a two stroke, multi-carb engine, if one cylinder isn't getting enough gas to run properly (or too much) then it's not getting enough oil on that cylinder either (or too much). Continuing to operate a two stroke engine that is not running right will often cause permanent damage.
Tom

My apologies for the error.

I just got through with a similar problem, still fresh on my mind, that I manufactured myself by just opening the jets 1/4 turn without the engine running and after the episode, I realized the error of my ways. I seem to have it back where it belongs now but it was a harrowing experience......like the engine was in pre-ignition run away at one time, pegging the tach with a dial that went to 7k.....don't know what the actual rpms were. Stayed there for a couple of minutes and I thought any second it was going to blow....it didn't and "apparently" I didn't hurt anything.

Mark

 

[Momoto]

Re: Mercury 60HP 2005 Elpto 2-stroke hard to cold start, only start at Throttle only

TexasMark: You describe the OPPOSITE problem of the original post. He has to use full throttle & no prime to start and you are saying you need to use the primer to start..?

I think he has a fuel issue... Perhaps a leaking carburetor float valve is allowing the engine to flood while it's shut off OR the primer valve is leaking past it's seat. This also explains why it loads up and dies on a long idle like he mentions. Back yard mechanics seldom get those carb floats set up right (seated as well as drop measurements) and it's common for that engine to have debris in the fuel system from the plastic lined fuel hose Mercury used at that time. There are "shards" of degraded plastic fuel liner material downstream from the filter that clog or block open the needle & seat valve inside the carbs. If the pieces of liner are found, then ALL of the fuel lines under the cowling need to be removed & replaced.

When fully warmed up, that engine should start easily without pushing in on the key & idle for hours without stopping or running too rich.

Remember, on a two stroke, multi-carb engine, if one cylinder isn't getting enough gas to run properly (or too much) then it's not getting enough oil on that cylinder either (or too much). Continuing to operate a two stroke engine that is not running right will often cause permanent damage.
Tom

Thanks all for the advice. I haven't started working on the engine, but it will be great if you can show me with pictures or reference where the "carburetor float valve" and primer valve is? I did check fuel hose leading to the engine and it looks pretty new. And to check if there are burnt plastic or debris in the fuel system what do you suggest beside checking the fuel hose to start with?

 

[Texasmark]

Re: Mercury 60HP 2005 Elpto 2-stroke hard to cold start, only start at Throttle only

The carburetor float valve is inside the carburetor, inside the bowl, attached to the end of the float. The float opens and closes it as a function of how much fuel is in the bowl.

The enrichment valve is near the carbs, on mine it's on the port side just off front center around the top carb. It has a yellow/black tracer wire and a black wire. It gets 12v when you turn the key to on/start and push in on it. Mine has a black button on top whereby you can manually pump fuel into the intake manifold.

Mark