Trouble Starting 90hp Merc Force

[titleistprov21]

Hi Guys,

My 90hp Merc Force outboard is very tempermental when I try to start it. This saturday, I flooded the engine pretty good - and I got her started about an hour later. When I shut off the engine on saturday, I disconnected to gas line and let it run out of gas.

When I started it up on Sunday, I re-connected the gas line, gave it a couple manual hand pumps to get fuel into the engine, tried starting once with no choke, didn't turn over, then once with choke and it fired right up.

After having the motor off and hanging out on the river bank, I just tried to start it up with no choke and it has a hard time turning over. Which causes me to go into freak-out mode and give it choke, then throttle only, causing it to flood. I eventually got it started after about 6 or 7 tries.

Can you guys please give me some advice on how to start it up without giving me a heart attack thinking it won't start. Do you think I need to clean my carb?

Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[roscoe]

Re: Trouble Starting 90hp Merc Force

Sounds like you are following a good startup procedure.
Its all trial and error. every engine is a little different.
Since you know you are prone to flooding, use the choke sparingly, for only 2-3 seconds at a time.

In time, you will get to know what she needs.

 

[john from md]

Re: Trouble Starting 90hp Merc Force

Force engines are cold blooded and do require choking to start. However, one thing in your post, "hard turning over", may be symptoms of another problem.

Is the engine spinning fast when you are trying to start it or is it sluggish to turn? Does your starter Bendix kick out when you are trying to start it?

John

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Trouble Starting 90hp Merc Force

I find that if I put the throttle in neutral fast idle, it fires up first time pretty much most of the time. Sometimes on the first start attempt of the day, it may take 2 tries then she fires up.

 

[titleistprov21]

Re: Trouble Starting 90hp Merc Force

Thanks for the help guys.

When I am starting it, the starter does kick out of the flywheel. Sometimes this happens after 2 turns, whereas other times this happens after several turns. What could be causing this? Is this bad? Should the starter stay engaged with the flywheel for as long as I am trying to start it?

pnwboat, when you cold start your motor, do you use the choke? or just throttle only ? Also, when you do use the throttle only, fast idle, are you more prone to flooding that if you were to only use the choke?

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Trouble Starting 90hp Merc Force

Not 100% sure, but I can only think of a couple of reasons for the starter drive to disengage. Bad drive assy., or the flywheel is picking up speed because the engine is starting or beginning to start. You could also have a bad starter or maybe a low/bad battery. I wouldn't assume at this point that there is anything wrong with your starter or battery. Once you get you motor to start properly, the I'll bet the starter symptom will disappear.

When I cold start my motor for the first time with the throttle in the neutral fast idle position, I do use the choke. I only engage it for a maximum of 2 or 3 seconds on each attempt. After it's warmed up, the rest of the day whether I've been sitting for 5 minutes or 5 hours, I still use the neutral fast idle position without any choke. It fires right up pretty much the first time. Your motor may not behave exactly like mine but what ever you do, limit the choke. If everything is working properly, it should fire up without too much trouble.

Using the neutral fast idle position will not prevent it from flooding. It just seems to start quicker. Only thing that will stop it from flooding is don't engage the choke too long. If you do flood it, neutral fast idle position seems to help overcome the flooded condition.

 

[jaybirddog11]

Re: Trouble Starting 90hp Merc Force

I am not sure, but I believe I have read that you shouldn't disconnect the fuel line to let it run out of fuel. Not sure of the reasons though. Hopefully one of the gurus here can clarify.

 

[john from md]

Re: Trouble Starting 90hp Merc Force

Try changing the fuel pump diaphram first and then try cleaning the fuel recirc system reeds and orifice under the carbs.

Build up of fuel in the lower cylinders will cause back pressure and the Bendix will sense this and kick out. Either of the two items I mentioned can cause this to happen.

John

 

[ccrider601]

Re: Trouble Starting 90hp Merc Force

Have the same problem with my 95 force 90hp. I also started using fast idle everytime I start it and havn't had any more problems. This is a great forum!