1988 Mercury 35HP won't start and other problems

tigerbake

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Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
16
I am very new to outboards so bear with me.

I have a 35 HP 1988 Merc that would run but very rough and would not idle. A compression check was done by a pro and it was determined that both cylinders were perfect. Bottom line was that primer bulb was not holding pressure and that the fuel had water in it. I corrected both of these problems and the motor then would start right up and idle perfectly but as soon as you give it any throttle it would shut off.

So my brother in law took the motor to work on it and he replaced lower unit oil, which was very low

- Replaced a tube that was running from one side of carb to the other, it was only connected to one side and he figured it should be connected to both...if this is wrong please let me know

- Put in new spark plugs

- cleaned out the carb completely

Now the motor will not start at all. If there is a problem in the ignition how should he check that? He is trying to determine if there is spark but is having trouble there too. If anyone has any ideas that would be great...Thanks!!
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: 1988 Mercury 35HP won't start and other problems

Go to the Engine FAQs Forum. Do "Outboard won't start".

Let us know what you find.
 

tigerbake

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Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
16
Re: 1988 Mercury 35HP won't start and other problems

Will do...were we correct that the mystery fuel line should go from one side of the carb to the other?
 

timberman

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Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
29
Re: 1988 Mercury 35HP won't start and other problems

There is indeed a small fuel tube that is going from the one side of the carb to the other side, from the right side to the side were the plastic floating part is located.. Dont know the correct english word for it.
 

tigerbake

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Joined
Oct 7, 2007
Messages
16
Re: 1988 Mercury 35HP won't start and other problems

Thanks...at least I know I did 1 thing right
 
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