merc inline 6 hard starting

[diamondl]

I have a 1973 115 inline 6 merc. I have had the carburators rebuilt but it still has a problem starting after sitting for a day or two. It cranks for a long time and eventualy starts. If I pour a little gas in a couple of carbs it starts right up. Also After it once starts, it starts great the rest of the day. Any suggestions.

 

[12Footer]

Re: merc inline 6 hard starting

When you pump the primer ball, does it firm up? If not, change it out.

 

[diamondl]

Re: merc inline 6 hard starting

the primer is tight .

 

[Gold Bear]

Re: merc inline 6 hard starting

diamondl,<br /><br />I have a 1972 model. From the many post I have seen on this subject (same motor) it appears this is a common problem. <br /><br />I have made it a routine to simply remove the cowl and squirt a bit of mixed gas into the carbs at the beginning of the day. Like your engine, mine starts fine for the rest of the day.<br /><br />I have found something that helps, thanks to my Mercury Service manual. The choke plates must fit snug against the carbs when closed. I found that mine were a bit loose.<br /><br />In order to adjust them you will have to remove the top frame, and loosen the forward frame (that holds the switch box) so you can tilt it forward, for access to the small bolts that the choke plates swivel on. Moving the linkage up and down tighten the choke plates until they bind, then loosen them just enough until they pivot freely.<br /><br />Additionally, make sure your idle adjustment is adjusted for best idle. With the boat in the water, turn the idle screws in until you get a lean miss, then out until they load up (rich). Count the turns each way, and split the difference for the final setting. There are other post for setting idle on this board. Just so you know, my motor idles best at 1-3/4 turns from lightly seated.<br /><br />When you start the motor in the morning, tilt it all the way down, pump the bulb til firm, and make sure you hear the choke "click". It should start in about 30 seconds. If it doesn't let the starter cool for about a minute then try it again for another 30 seconds. If it still doesn't start then it is time to break out the squirt bottle.<br /><br />With your engine in good tune, and adjusted well it should start right up without having to resort to the squirt bottle.<br /><br />Good luck, Gold Bear

 

[skier]

Re: merc inline 6 hard starting

There is a MUCH better way to start your motors guys.<br /><br />Pump the primer bulb until firm. Lift the cold start lever all the way up. Push AND HOLD the choke bottom and crank. When she lights up, then let go of the key and choke and bring the cold start lever down so that the RPM's are aroung 1500 until warm.<br /><br />Works every time. Most (If not all) Mercs are like this, except for the EFI and 4-stroke models. My 140 is the same way, so was my parents 1250 & 650<br /><br />Have fun on the water.<br /><br />Craig

 

[sho305]

Re: merc inline 6 hard starting

Merc140 has it, and I keep the bulb firm until it starts. Mostly only need to do that when it sat a long time. They like lots of choke, make sure the choke is working and covering the carbs good.

 

[mbb]

Re: merc inline 6 hard starting

also make sure the motor is down all way (tucked under a few degrees is best) and the battery is full charged.

 

[skier]

Re: merc inline 6 hard starting

The angle has little if anything to do with it. I have started mine with the prop just under the water (Almost at a 45 degree angle) when I drifted into VERY shallow water. <br /><br />Craig

 

[ODDD1]

Re: merc inline 6 hard starting

Bullcrap. all the inlines start better when tucked under a bit..

 

[diamondl]

Re: merc inline 6 hard starting

thanks for the reply guys. for some reason the last few times I have taken it out it has been starting easier. One of those mysterious fixes I gues. Maybe some water was in the gas or something.<br /><br />thanks for the replies

 

[flatsman]

Re: merc inline 6 hard starting

Hey , fellow I now have my second merc inline 6 and my friends have had them also. I spent enough on rebuild of engine and carbs to make a person scream. I have rigged my present motor with a primer unit from an evinrude , push fuel into the vent hose on the front of the engine. This may not be the norm but, after putting all new carb kits in and the choke system , it was the only thing that has worked. I have an electric fuel pump installed max pressure 4 psi. Be careful not to over fuel engine. It starts quick even after being shut down for several days.

 

[IndySpecialty]

Re: merc inline 6 hard starting

All this talk about in-lines starting hard suprises me. Only because I thought it was old news & everyone new the big mystery of there starting trouble. In my experience every hard starting in-line was fixed by taking the motor down, buy a tube of yamabond & goo-up the cases right where the reed cages are fit to the case & then the leak down between cylinders is gone & they start like there fuel injected. The older they get the bigger the chatter marks the worse they start.

 

[m.a.walgren]

Re: merc inline 6 hard starting

All this talk about in-lines starting hard suprises me. Only because I thought it was old news & everyone new the big mystery of there starting trouble. In my experience every hard starting in-line was fixed by taking the motor down, buy a tube of yamabond & goo-up the cases right where the reed cages are fit to the case & then the leak down between cylinders is gone & they start like there fuel injected. The older they get the bigger the chatter marks the worse they start.

can you be more spacific.