1986 90 hp mercury hard starting when warm

[jim short]

I have an '86 90 HP six cylinder that is hard to start when warm. I have to raise the warm-up lever to start it. It will start whenever I do this, but it would be nice not to have to use 2 hands to start the motor. I have been told that is the way they start. It starts good cold. It idles a little rough also. It runs good at higher speeds. Any suggestions??<br /><br />Shoeless

 

[sharkcat]

Re: 1986 90 hp mercury hard starting when warm

Get a manual,set the float levels in the carbs,Replace the plugs,Do a link & synch,adjust idle mixtures in other words do some maintenance.Some older engines will idle a bit rough because the crankshaft seals leak between cylinders its not really a problem & careful adjustment of the idle mixture screws will help.I have relatively new engines & sometimes have to lift the fast idle lever to start them when they are warm.I lift the lever turn the key push the lever back down to idle only takes one hand unless your key is really stiff & Get some shoes youll catch cold (do I sound like your mother)

 

[KennyKenCan]

Re: 1986 90 hp mercury hard starting when warm

Hey shoeless,<br /><br />What you are reporting to us here, in my opinion, is normal.<br /><br />I have a '94 135 HP Merc and I have to use the throttle to get it started, warm or cold.<br /><br />I found that just cracking the throttle before shutting off engine (say to go catch the big ones) makes restarting alot easier.<br /><br />Kenny