lncoop
Vice Admiral
- Joined
- Apr 18, 2010
- Messages
- 5,147
I have a Merc 18XD. Not sure the year, but it's mid eighties and was made in Belgium. I bought it last winter and used it a few times with no issues at all. Started easy, ran great. A few weeks ago I backed it in, pushed the button and it started right up, ran for half a minute or so then died and wouldn't start again. A guy came over and took a peek. He said it looked like the choke wasn't working and placed his thumb over the intake, at which point I was able to start it. After that I ran it all day, killing it and restarting it repeatedly with no problem.
Yesterday I tried to start it on the muffs, using the same trick the guy used on the ramp. It started right up, then died and now it won't start again. The motor has the square primer handle on the front that I think is supposed to choke it in addition to priming, but I really don't know exactly how it works. I do know the fast idle lever is broken, but I don't know if that has anything to do with it. Seems like it could. And, I don't know whether it was like that when I got it or if it broke later. I'd get a manual but I plan to sell it as soon as I get this straightened out. If anyone has thoughts as to what might be going on and what I should do I'd be grateful.
Yesterday I tried to start it on the muffs, using the same trick the guy used on the ramp. It started right up, then died and now it won't start again. The motor has the square primer handle on the front that I think is supposed to choke it in addition to priming, but I really don't know exactly how it works. I do know the fast idle lever is broken, but I don't know if that has anything to do with it. Seems like it could. And, I don't know whether it was like that when I got it or if it broke later. I'd get a manual but I plan to sell it as soon as I get this straightened out. If anyone has thoughts as to what might be going on and what I should do I'd be grateful.