1987 Mercury 115 ELPTO WILL NOT START!!!!

[BrianSmithFishn]

I just purchased this boat a while back never ran it. I have fresh gas in it, rebuilt the carbs and water pump adjusted the float levers per specification.I have fuel air mixture screw 1.5 turns out on all of the carbs. I go to start it today and Its getting spark, has enough compression, but wont start. I prime it, fuel filter fills up, crank the motor and it tries to start but never does. Fuel ends up leaking out of the face of the bottom two carbs, top one is dry. Pulled the brand new spark plugs and they are dry. I am confused please help. Thank you!

 

[ondarvr]

Carbs aren't assembled correctly, or there's still gunk in them.

 

[racerone]

Only the top 2 carburetors should have mixture adjusting screws.----And does spark jump a gap of 3/8" or more, yes or no ?

 

[BrianSmithFishn]

Only the top 2 carburetors should have mixture adjusting screws.----And does spark jump a gap of 3/8" or more, yes or no ?

yes and all three have mixtures screws..

 

[BrianSmithFishn]

Carbs aren't assembled correctly, or there's still gunk in them.

I cleaned them very thoroughly, I can assure there is no gunk in them. As for assembly there isn't very much to go wrong..Any suggestions as to what could be wrong carburetor wise? The new floats are in the right way, only thing I could think of would be the levers but I know I adjusted those correctly.. So I don't know what could be wrong inside the carbs..

way I adjusted float levers:

Invert carb cover and observe the top lever. It needs to be parallel to the carb cover. If not bend the lower lever to make it level.

Now turn carb cover over so it is right side up. Measure between lever ends. That measurement should be 1/4". Bend lower lever until the measurement is correct.

 

[ondarvr]

If fuel is flowing out the carbs then something isn't correct inside, the float needles should stop all flow other than what goes into the motor.

 

[racerone]

Sorry--I assumed it was a 4 cylinder motor.----Are you pushing the key in and holding it in while cranking it over ??

 

[Chris1956]

Choke the daylights out of it. Spray some 50::1 fuel into the carb throats.

​If that doesn't start it, check the timing. Idle timing when the carbs are just ready to open, should be 2-8* ATDC on top spark plug..

 

[jimmbo]

Since it does not have a choke and uses a gravity priming system, The primer lines might be clogged/gummed up. If it starts by spraying 50:1 into the carb, you need to recheck the float needle setting on the carbs. To be on the safe side also check fuel pump operation

 

[BrianSmithFishn]

Since it does not have a choke and uses a gravity priming system, The primer lines might be clogged/gummed up. If it starts by spraying 50:1 into the carb, you need to recheck the float needle setting on the carbs. To be on the safe side also check fuel pump operation

I got it started by spaying 2 stroke fuel into the carbs but it leaks gas out of the carbs while running and the adjustment screws don't do diddly.. I'm assuming I have to take the carbs off and adjust the floats again Do you know the proper way to set them? I thought I did it right the first time but apparently not..

 

[jimmbo]

Here is a link to a service manual
http://www.boatinfo.no/lib/mercury/manuals/mercury_1965-1989_40-115.html#/112

My 1984 115hp used to get its floats stuck quite often. I found that a gentle tapping with a plastic or soft metal hammer or pipe. It worked for me but YMMV, so be careful not to damage the carb or linkages

 

[BrianSmithFishn]

Here is a link to a service manual
http://www.boatinfo.no/lib/mercury/manuals/mercury_1965-1989_40-115.html#/112

My 1984 115hp used to get its floats stuck quite often. I found that a gentle tapping with a plastic or soft metal hammer or pipe. It worked for me but YMMV, so be careful not to damage the carb or linkages

Awesome thank you for that link! I 'thought' I adjusted it like it says to on page 4-19 but ill try tapping on them or taking them off turning them upside down to see if the floats are moving then crack them back open if I need to. Thanks again!

 

[GA_Boater]

Tapping a carb(s) to unstick a sticking float isn't a fix for anything, it's just delaying the inevitable. You need adjust the float level properly.

Did the kits come with new needles?

 

[Red runner]

Same here i bought 1999 115 elpto 4 cylinder stalls when lower idle screws occasional sneeze any advice not familiar with the engine tnx