Outboard dies after starting.

[Sparkz]

Hi I'm after a bit of advice please. I've just bought my first boat and am having problems keeping the outboard running. It's a 20hp 2 stroke Mercury. It starts ok and runs for approx 30 seconds, then just dies. I've tried altering the choke and throttle but it doesn't make any difference. I think it's something I'm doing wrong rather than a fault with the engine as it ran ok when I was buying it.

Thanks

 

[Jacket4life]

Re: Outboard dies after starting.

A little more info: What is the year model of the motor? What steps are you taking to start?

 

[Wingedwheel]

Re: Outboard dies after starting.

Is the vent on your fuel tank open?

 

[Sparkz]

Re: Outboard dies after starting.

Yes I open the vent. The outboard is somewhere in the region of 25 years old, maybe a little more. I use the squeezy ball on the fuel line before starting it and have tried many different combinations of choke and throttle settings, but it always dies after half a minute or so.

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: Outboard dies after starting.

Sounds like it's running out of gas.Get it started and keep squeezing the primer bulb and see if it stays running.You may have a bad fuel pump or clogged filter.

 

[mbranton]

Re: Outboard dies after starting.

replace the squeeze bulb in the gas line...........the smallest hole can interfere with fuel flow from tank.