2009 25 HP Yamaha outboard doesnt stay running

mnguy

Cadet
Joined
Jun 11, 2004
Messages
12
I have a 2009 Yamaha 25hp 4 stroke outboard on the back of a pontoon boat that I finally got in the water this week.
I'm in Minnesota and it sat on the shore of the lake since last fall.
It does turn over just fine, but it doesn't stay running. If I put the choke lever all the way up and start it, I can sort of keep it going by moving the lever down, then back up, then down, and so on. But I can't leave it any one position or it dies. It doesn't idle at all. But by continually fiddling with the choke, I can keep it running for 10 to 15 seconds.

There is about 1/2 tank of new gas, it took just a few pumps and the primer bulb thing was hard. I also opened the vent on the gas tank. I uh didn't do any winterizing last fall, other than removing, emptying and storing the gas tank and removing and charging the battery.

Could it be spark plugs, carburetor , or fuel filter?
I'm not good with engines. I don't want to take it back out and up to a mechanic, but I can. Cleaning fuel filter or plugs is the most I can do, certainly not carburetor.
Thanks in advance-
Bill
 

99yam40

Fleet Admiral
Joined
Sep 7, 2008
Messages
9,119
Re: 2009 25 HP Yamaha outboard doesnt stay running

carbs need cleaning if you have to choke it
 
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