1988 80 HP Merc VERY HARD Start

[redlight]

This engine takes about 10 minutes of constant cranking to start. Appears to flood out as it smokes a lot once I get it started. I have a glass see thru filter and the gas mixtures appears to be very dark, but that is just my opinion as I am not sure what it should look like. Once I get it warmed up after it starts it runs perfectly fine the remainder of the day. It just will not start when it is cold.
Could it be getting too much oil on start up? Should I replace the fuel pump components? Oil pump components?
I have tried starting it with and without chocking. Fuel line looks fine and the ball is hard. It has an on board tank and last replaced contents of the gas around 3 or 4 years ago.
Maybe I should replace the 15 gallons of gas that is in it for a starting point?
Thanks in advance for any thoughts!

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: 1988 80 HP Merc VERY HARD Start

Replacing 3-4 year old gas would be a very good starting point.

 

[redlight]

Re: 1988 80 HP Merc VERY HARD Start

I have read in a few older posts that you have to really pump the ball and then pump it again while the engine is trimmed all the way down. I gave that a try last night with it hooked up to the hose and the darn thing fired right up!
Tonight is our first night of our bass fishing league and we'll see how the old beast does out on the lake.
Thanks!

 

[redlight]

Re: 1988 80 HP Merc VERY HARD Start

Well, I started my engine with it trimmed all the way down and pumped the ball until I could pump no more and she fired right up!
I would like to thank the many old posters out there that mentioned this to others! Thank you!
As the saying goes, "What did we do before the internet?!"