1988 merc 20 hp cold start pblms

[Emears]

motir was running fine. Then gas line inside fuel tank broke (old tank) and engine sucked air and died..after replacing tank, noticing that hard to start when cold. is fine when warm and runs fine.. But when push primer button down, dont hear fuel going thru it, just air.. any ideas?

 

[CharlieB]

Re: 1988 merc 20 hp cold start pblms

*&^%&* 'puter won't open parts pages

w/o model and serial I can't look

coincidence, dirty carb

 

[Emears]

Re: 1988 merc 20 hp cold start pblms

not sure of model right now other than a 1988 20 hp..The s/n is 0B270417..
when I pull out the choke level, mechanically the arm does push down the choke primer button...I pushed it by hand and thats how I notice there appears to be no fuel in the primer unit and just air...Otherwise motor runs fine at idle & high speeds, and starts right up once warmed up..

 

[CharlieB]

Re: 1988 merc 20 hp cold start pblms

If you look at that lever very carefully you will notice that as it pivots an arm uncovers a small brass air bleed which allows air to flow, drawing fuel and richening the mixture.

Clean the carb.

That pump only makes one very small 'squirt', it is that air/enrichener passage that needs cleaning, and it cannot be done properly without a complete dissassemble.