Mercury 90 cold start problem

[chris_ault]

It's an '81 inline-6 and runs great, starts immediately when warm but always takes a LOT of winding to get going from cold. Would always start eventually, and once started, would restart immediately again, but recently it's taking a lot longer to start, so much that I'm worried about frying the starter. <br /><br />Replaced the battery and spark plugs last weekend - no change in behaviour. Eventually can get it going with Quick Start, but I'd prefer to hear thoughts about why it takes so long to start. I prime the bulb, but not too much, I engage choke and hear the click, I put the throttle forward for fast idle, just like I always have. All of a sudden I'm starting to wear down the battery. Seems like there's second of hesitation immediately after I turn the key until the starter really winds up. Suggestions?

 

[Laddies]

Re: Mercury 90 cold start problem

The carbs could be a little lean or dirty, the choke butterflys could be warped