Re: 76 Mercury carburetor
Kelly =- as WBW said, the 2 stroke engine (like your outboard) runs on a mixture of oil and gas, and this mixture not only fires the engine, it lubricates the engine. Therefore if you use starting fluid to make it fire, it won't be getting the lubrication it needs. A spray bottle of the same mixed fuel you have in your tank is a better way to do it. Starting fluid is made for 4 stroke engines like in your car. (and some outboards, but not your 76 merc).<br /><br />Now as far as what you're looking for: the carburetors are usually at the front of the engine. Depending on your engine there may be one or more. They also may be covered with something that you have to remove to actually see them. The carb itself is a mechanism with a round "throat" which has a flapper which opens and closes (sometimes what you see is the choke flapper, sometimes the throttle). Either way, it has to be open when you spray in the premix starting spray. Post your engine model and horsepower - better yet, allthat info plus a serial number if you can find it. Then someone who's familiar with your exact engine can give you specific pointers.<br /><br />By the way, being a woman is no excuse! I, and many other guys, have asked similar, extremely basic questions. For some of us, they're the only questions we can answer so we're very happy to see them so we can show off.
<br /><br />You don't want to use that in a 2-stroke outboard. It'll wash the oil off the internals leaving them unlubricated and unprotected. Oil does two things in your motor. It lubricates the parts while it's running, and protects them from rust when sitting. If you use ether, it removes the oil. The internals can then rust up in a matter of weeks or even days if the motor is put away in that condition.<br /><br />I recommend a squirt bottle of premix from your gas tank instead. But you shouldn't need that either if the motor is healthy. The fact that you have to use starting fluid to get it running tells me that the motor needs a tune-up or maybe an overhaul. The carburetor throats are usually open, depending on the model ... no air cleaner, etc.
