2002 Mercury 40hp 2 stroke won't stay running

[Tekin]

The outboard will crank and run for about 5 seconds then shuts down. It ran fine 2 months ago. Could it be I let it sit to long without running it? Any suggestions would be very much appreciate!

 

[Silvertip]

Yes -- but what have you checked in an attempt to diagnose the problem. Tell us so we don't have to spoon feed you information about stuff you already did.

 

[Tekin]

I checked the compression witch was perfect 120psi on both cylinders. I also checked the plugs to see if they were fouled.They also were giving good spark. I tried fresh fuel that didn't make any difference. That was all i onewcto do. I'm very close to Wilmington nc and want to try to get the boat running to pull it up Lumberton to help with disaster relief and recovery.

 

[tommarvin]

Tekin thank you for your service, what huge fish is that in your picture?
Hey you have carbs they get dirty/pluged when you leave gas in them.
Two months is not that long if you add Stabl 360 marine with vapor technology every time you add gas. Fuel stabilizer
And do perfect yearly maintence.Always drain the gas out of your carbs at the end of boating day.
You should add a fuel water seperator now standard equipment helps wonders stops fuel BS.
Remove the carbs clean them like all the you tube videos, put them back together, it sounds like your idle air/fuel is pluged.
Watch all the you tube videos you got this.
Cool to know somebody thats trying to help with the disaster relief and recovery, good for you.

 

[Tekin]

Thank you for your kind words help, and information sir. I will take the carb apart and clean it out with air and carb cleaner. Thanks again.

 

[Tekin]

Thank you sir, for your help! I cleaned the carb very well, and the motor idles / runs great. I learned something today, and it was very simple.The outboard is not peeing water at all now. I took the lower unit off, and the water impeller was in tiny little pieces. I have someone bringing one hopefully the gaskets will hold up The Northeast cape fear river is going to crest tomorrow and it's going to get real ugle, not that it already isn't.This is the last time I let the boat go more than a week without running the outboard.