5.7 Mercruiser Dies on Idle

[bocephus1369]

I have a 1997 Maxum 2000srl with a 5.7 Thunderbolt Mercruiser. It is carbed with a Rochester 2bbl Mercarb. I am having an issue with keeping the motor going at idle. I put the throttle into neutral like I always do to start it and it will run for about 30 seconds then die. I can give it some gas and it will rev up but when I pull back on the throttle it dies. It will only start again if I push the throttle forward and back. I believe it only runs from the gas in the bowl then starves out. I have read a lot of posts about similar issues but am really confused as to where to go from here. I have checked the venting and anti-siphon valve. I have replaced the fuel filter/water seperator. It was full of gas and didn't see any water. It has a manual fuel pump. Once it starts, the gauge shows about 40 for the oil pressure. I do have a carb rebuild kit on order. Any other advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Look at your lower shift cable and the shift interrupt switch

 

[alldodge]

Its a carb problem
My guess is the idle circuits are clogged up

 

[flashback]

A tuneup is a good place to start. If it's not idling well in neutral you need to check everything..then you can narrow it down...

 

[bocephus1369]

Look at your lower shift cable and the shift interrupt switch

I didn't even think about the shift interrupt. How would I go about checking this switch?

 

[bocephus1369]

Its a carb problem
My guess is the idle circuits are clogged up

I was thinking a carb issue as I did order a rebuild kit. I will be able to rebuild this weekend. Hopefully that is the solution.

 

[bocephus1369]

A tuneup is a good place to start. If it's not idling well in neutral you need to check everything..then you can narrow it down...

There are a lot of possibilities when it is starving at idle. I was thinking a carb issue but am open to troubleshooting other options as well.

 

[flashback]

I think your carb is a good possibility, I only meant to encourage you to look at all possibilities..

 

[Scott Danforth]

I didn't even think about the shift interrupt. How would I go about checking this switch?

Look at the lower shift cable adjustment in the stickies