2000 75hp Mercury starting problems

[bassackwards]

I have a 2000 17ft Skeeter Aluminum with a 75HP Mercury 2 stroke. I have occasional problems starting the engine. A few weeks back I was trying to get the motor started and the starter went out. I changed the starter and plugs just to see if that was the problem. I put the boat back in the water an it started on the first crank and did so for about to weeks. Each time I take the boat out it takes a little longer to start. On Sunday it started easily in the morning but after I finished fishing the spot I was at it took forever to get started (probably a minute but it felt like forever).

Is it possible that I have fouled plugs? I put new plugs in when I replaced the starter and it was perfect the next 3 times I took it out. I didnt have problem the rest of the day either.

I also cant figure out how to be able to throttle the motor up when starting. Its either in gear or its not. Is there a way to do that. Although its a mercury engine the boat has Yamaha controls. Dont know why but the motor and controls are original to the boat.

What about choke? The key pushes in so I'm guessing thats the choke but dont really know.

thanks for any input.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: 2000 75hp Mercury starting problems

Some controls the control arm pulls out from the control box a quarter inch or so, disconnecting the shift and enabling you to throttle in Neutral. Remember the throttle will not begin until the control arm is moved to the normal throttle pick-up point.

When is the last time the carbs were cleaned? Many times hard starting and poor drivability are due to dirty carbs.