mercontrol

[dcrawf12]

I have just purchased my first boat from my neighbor who had only used the boat twice in the 7 years he owned it so he could not give me any direction on the controls. This boat has 2 levers the throttle and a second lever used when starting the boat. it also has an elec. choke. my question is should the shorter starting lever be straight up or all the way back and flat when you start the engine? And when should you move the lever to the other position right when the motor starts or after the motor warms up a while?

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: mercontrol

Hey dcrawf12 <br /><br />That's the fast idle lever which aids in starting. Raise it about halfway up when starting the motor. When the motor smooths out(Warms up), place it back down in the run position...It's pretty much trial and error as to how far to raise the lever and when to lower it after starting. But after a few times, you will know....

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: mercontrol

first and foremost. if it's only been run twice in 7 years, Search in the johnny/rude forum "awakening a sleeoing outboard" it was written for johnny/rude but it applies to the mercs as well. don't destroy a good motor. as far as the control goes, the large lever is the shifter/throttle move it forward it goes into forward gear further forward and increases throttle, just the opposite for reverse. it must be in the neutral position to start and the is a neutral switch in the controller. the smaller lever is the neutral fast idle lever. Starting sequence, if tank has vent open vent, pump bulb until hard, lift lever all the way, push and hold choke button, or if it is in the key switch push key in and hold, turn key to start, after a couple of tries pump bulb again until hard, once started, release the choke, you may have to hit it a couple of times to keep it running. lower lever slowly back to slow idle. You do know not to do any of this without a good water source first. good luck, and welcome to i boats.

 

[JB]

Re: mercontrol

"Awakening a sleeping outboard" is in the Engine FAQs Forum.

 

[dcrawf12]

Re: mercontrol

Thank you both for your help. I did not want to launch yhe boat for the first time and be holding up the site because i could not get the boat started

 

[Texasmark]

Re: mercontrol

Hey Dcraw,<br /><br />Be sure if you run the engine to have muffs on it with the water hose full on (water squirting all around muffs) or put it in a barrel full (almost) of water.<br /><br />Do not run without water applied or in water; will toast your waterpump (impeller) in a heartbeat if you run it dry.<br /><br />Mark