Mercury outboard 15 hp. Unknown problem

[Burritoeater]

I have a 15hp merc. I belive it is from the late 80's. It has always worked well until this last year. It began that the engine starts on the first pull but then kills if i dont warm it up for a while. And if it did kill i would have to pull on it for 10 min to get it going. It run fine an once I get it going i can turn it off and start it with no problem. Now it dosent start on the first pull any more. I can sit and pull for 15 min. and it dosent start. I really am not sure what the problem can be. I check the plugs and they seemed pretty clean. I think ill try replacing them and see if that helps. WHat could it be?

 

[Yepblaze]

Re: Mercury outboard 15 hp. Unknown problem

It could be fuel, ignition, or compression.

When it stops starting is the plug wet or dry?

Perhaps if not flooded and fouled out, a squirt of premix in the carb to see if it fires off might tell something about the fuel system.

Does it still have spark when it fails to run?

 

[achris]

Re: Mercury outboard 15 hp. Unknown problem

When was it last serviced? My first thought was plugs... My next thought is fuel pump... Part of the carb... Pull the carb and strip it and clean it... Use all new gaskets and diaphragms.

Chris........

 

[Burritoeater]

Re: Mercury outboard 15 hp. Unknown problem

I checked the spark plugs and they both work fine. I tried starting the engine then pulled the plugs and they were clean. so that is apparently not the problem. I had the enging serviced 2 years ago. Im almost positive they cleaned every thing out then