Hi, The engine is a 95' force with a switchbox mercury ignition. I have had this thing for 6 months, broke down for 3. I have had the engine fully rebuilt twice this summer. Once at the merc dealer, once myself. Anyway....there has been starting issues everytime I take this thing out. First it simply lost magnets, I finaly got the right flywheel. It had bad timing and mercury fixed it. Then it wouldnt start. Brought it back and they claimed it was an idol adjustment in the water needed, they got it running. I took it out and had a blast. Next time we took it out and it basically wont start half the time at the launch. It turns over, but acts like no fuel, eventually the battery drops voltage til no turn over. I pull the plugs, they have spark, all of them. I pull fuel line at carb top entry and it has what seems to be a mechanical pump flow, surging as it cranks (always has done this so I assumed nothing since it runs fine when started.) It does not have a study flow like in a car system. I have compression in range and spark. Timing is set with gun light @30-32 BTDC. I am tracking the fuel flow now. I have narrowed the problem to fuel this way. I pull the plugs and there is no fuel on them or even a smell of gas at that. Over the last month (5 times out) I have had to crank over the engine to "prime" the line pressure to get it to start (progressivly getting worse). Clean fuel filter. I assumed a leaky line causing loss of pressure at long down times so it would drain out the gas right? I tightened all lines down again from tank to pump. When it starts finally, it starts like a champion right away as soon as I hit the key all day. At the launch for the next time it wont start again but I would crank for 3 seconds 8-10 times and it would get fuel. I dont get it, is the fuel pump going out or is it in the carbs? The floats are full of fuel....Is there a way to test pressure under cranking for spec to see if pump is bad?
