Old Mercs

[JDMICK]

I have a 1970's vintage 20 hp Mercury outboard that has always been a "cold starter". Genrally, the engine will run just fine all day long once it has been started. However, if you fail to keep it running after it initially fires and then stops after a few seconds, it becomes very difficult - sometimes impossible - to start. Any ideas that might help?

 

[who10]

Re: Old Mercs

I've got an old 6hp Mercury Kiekhaefer Wizard. I don't know how similar the components are on a 70s era 20hp, but I did a write up on what I did to get it running. You can take a look, but I don't know if it will help. Basically, I just went in adjusted the points, cleaned the carb and added new plugs. Seems to run pretty well now. http://hubpages.com/hub/point-adjustment

 

[bktheking]

Re: Old Mercs

Can you post a model number, could be a non points system, could be phase maker, need numbers to identify.