115 Mercury starts but takes along time in water?

[btroy]

Hi guys looking for a little help here.

I have a Mercury 1150 and I took it to the boat mechanic and he checked it out. He said it was fine but running a little lean, he adjusted it and it now works somewhat.

When the ear muffs are on it fires right up, well after first getting it started. It takes sometime (maybe 30 seconds) before it will fire up. After it runs awhile you can turn it off and right back on with 1 turn of the switch.

I took it to the lake and it took sometime to get it started (three minutes) Anyway once it starts it runs fine.

Took it back to him today and he went back thru it and said it was fine. He did explain about the back presure once in the water. He showed me how to adjust the screws on the carbs to back them out to get it alittle richer.

While I was at the ramp I was able to get it to start and turn over each time I hit the switch. Took off and fished awhile and then it would not start again. I played with it awhile and finally got it to start.

Made it back to the ramp and turned it off and it started right back up.

It seems as if it is loosing its prime. (If there is such a thing) I did squeeze the fuel bulb but it did not take too much to get it hard once again.

So my issue is whenever it hits the water it gets real tempermental, takes along time to start and then once it starts it runs fine, however it has left me on the lake a couple of time and this gets really frustrating.

It always dies when I try to put it in gear. Am I supposed to use the throttle to rev it up before shifting it into gear. Should this engine take that long to get started?

What do you guys think, Does this sound like carb rebuild issue?

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 115 Mercury starts but takes along time in water?

All motors that have adjustable idle jets need to be adjusted while in the water, and in gear if possible. it also sounds like your mechanic is not too familar with that old inline 6. Your troubles could be dirty carbs or misadjusted carbs. if you feel confident to try to adjust the carbs, here is a way to do it.

Start and warm the motor in the water, with fresh 50::1 fuel mix. make sure it is idleing at 900 RPM or less. Adjust the three carb needles until you achieve the fastest, smootest idle. Do this in gear if possible.

now try to accelerate. if the motor stumbles or dies, open the top carb idle mix screw 1/8 turn and repeat the test. If it dies again, open the mid carb 1/8 turn and repeat. Repeat with bottom carb and then start again with top carb. The object is to richen up the idle mixture just enough to allow smooth acceleration, and have a reasonable idle.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: 115 Mercury starts but takes along time in water?

Also your primer bulb is normal.

 

[btroy]

Re: 115 Mercury starts but takes along time in water?

All motors that have adjustable idle jets need to be adjusted while in the water, and in gear if possible. it also sounds like your mechanic is not too familar with that old inline 6. Your troubles could be dirty carbs or misadjusted carbs. if you feel confident to try to adjust the carbs, here is a way to do it.

Start and warm the motor in the water, with fresh 50::1 fuel mix. make sure it is idleing at 900 RPM or less. Adjust the three carb needles until you achieve the fastest, smootest idle. Do this in gear if possible.

now try to accelerate. if the motor stumbles or dies, open the top carb idle mix screw 1/8 turn and repeat the test. If it dies again, open the mid carb 1/8 turn and repeat. Repeat with bottom carb and then start again with top carb. The object is to richen up the idle mixture just enough to allow smooth acceleration, and have a reasonable idle.

Thanks for the information guys!

I was able to get the motor to now start in the water, I adjusted the idle jets out about 1/8th turn. I was not able to perform this while in gear. So my problem still remains when it comes to it dying when I put it in gear. I can tinker with the throttle just enough to get it to stay started while putting it in gear(sometimes). It seems like there should be a idle screw adjustment that I could turn the idle up just a tad. Is there not?

Well after re-reading I guess I have answered my own question, I will just keep adjusting until I figure it out.