My POS 1976 Mercury 1150 won't fire up! Help ASAP!

[brianmerc]

I am trying to fire it up... it has a good battery, the starter is cranking good... but the engine just won't fire up! A couple of times when I was trying it POPPED real loud like it was going to start, along with a puff of blue smoke but that was it. It has been firing up good throught the winter every month. I last started it about 3 weeks ago and it ran fine! I have no idea whats going on and I'm so P.O.'d!<br /><br />Any ideas on what might have happened? Water in the gas tank? Old gas? Should I add newer gasoline? please HELP!!!<br /><br />Brianmerc

 

[brianmerc]

Re: My POS 1976 Mercury 1150 won't fire up! Help ASAP!

I added 6 gallons of new gasoline, without taking out the old... and I tried to fire it up. I was able to get it fired up for about 5 minutes, then it just died without warning. I wasn't able to get it started again that day. It would crank and crank but would not fire up.<br /><br />Anything? Anyone? Please!

 

[briannh1234]

Re: My POS 1976 Mercury 1150 won't fire up! Help ASAP!

There is a troubleshooting section to this board. You may want to start there.<br /><br />Motor's run on compression, gas, and spark. If any are missing the engine won't run. If the motor's been sitting all winter and now won't run, check the carbs first. Fuel dripping out the front of the carb's means stuck float - rebuild the carbs.

 

[jimmbo]

Re: My POS 1976 Mercury 1150 won't fire up! Help ASAP!

Dump the old gas and clean the carbs, fuel pump and filter. They're probably full of guck from the old gas. Also pull the pickup out of the gas tank, it too can be plugged up.

 

[brianmerc]

Re: My POS 1976 Mercury 1150 won't fire up! Help ASAP!

Thanks for the advice. I talked to a couple other people and they said pretty much the same thing you two said. I am going to clean out the whole fuel system as soon as I can. Thanks!<br /><br />If anyone else has anymore advice, please post it up. THANK YOU!

 

[brianmerc]

Re: My POS 1976 Mercury 1150 won't fire up! Help ASAP!

I noticed there was some fuel on the inside of the engine when I took off the casing, so I am going to check the carbs to see if they are leaking. If so, then I just might have to rebuild them.