motor runs away

[lhall8]

I am new to outboard motors and I cannot get this old mercury 200 (20 h.p.) running right. It will crank, but it seems to be running at wide open throttle, but the throttle plate in the carburator appears to be closed. Is it possible the carb is out of adjustment or does it just need to be rebuilt. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: motor runs away

Need more info on your outboard, such as model number so we can pin down a year. Carb may not be in synch with timing. Does it respond at all to the throttle and is this a tiller model or remotely controlled with cables?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: motor runs away

Make sure the timing advance linkage is not disconnected from the throttle linkage.

 

[lhall8]

Re: motor runs away

I'm not sure on the year, but the serial number is 3432789. I believe that the timeing advance is hooked up. It is not remotely controled, it has a handle that is used for steering and accelerating. I suppose this is a tiller control.