Mercury 9.9hp wont start

[IgsmorphF]

I have a mid 90's Mercury 9.9hp 2 stroke outboard that won't start. I bought it used and can't get it started. Supposedly it worked the day before I bought it. I have checked everything I can think of. Both plugs get a good spark with brand new plugs. I have verified that the float in the carbeurator is not plugged. I have sprayed starting fluid in the carb as well as directly through the spark plug hole. I am getting compression and gas is flowing. No matter how long I pull the rope, it doesn't even try and fire. Is there something I might be missing?

 

[Starppy]

Re: Mercury 9.9hp wont start

Sounds like you have it covered. If you have fuel and spark it should at least fire. Stop using the starting fluid though. That stuff does bad things to outboards.

How did you verify the spark?

 

[IgsmorphF]

Re: Mercury 9.9hp wont start

I pulled each plug out separately and watched it spark against the engine. The plugs are different. They are NGK model BHUW-2. The design has a preset .06" gap that can't be adjusted.

Is it possible for the timing to have gotten off? Is there an easy way to check the timing without a timing gun?