2006 Merc 9.9 4-stroke starting problems

[aqua-man]

Just purchased a new bass fishing boat with a 2006 Merc 9.9 4 Stroke remote steering. Engine appears to be in very good condition, but is almost impossible to start the first try of the morning.

I prime the bulb, push the throttle only button and give it a little gas once or twice, then turn the key using the choke. It turns over and over but will not catch. Finally give up, and pull the starter cord and after a pull or two, it catches briefly. I than go back to the key start and without using any choke, it starts.

After that, it starts like a dream throughout the day.

I pulled the plugs, they were OK but had too small of gap. Put new plugs in with the proper gap, but have not had the chance to see if this helps.

Any thoughts/suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

 

[TOHATSU GURU]

Re: 2006 Merc 9.9 4-stroke starting problems

Since the engine is under warranty you should run it by a dealer.

 

[aqua-man]

Re: 2006 Merc 9.9 4-stroke starting problems

Your right, I should but this is prime bass fishing time and I can't wait 3 weeks to get the boat back. Looking for proper starting recommendations or possible causes.

 

[GregE]

Re: 2006 Merc 9.9 4-stroke starting problems

Your right, I should but this is prime bass fishing time and I can't wait 3 weeks to get the boat back. Looking for proper starting recommendations or possible causes.

You mentioned the spark plug gaps weren't wide enough. Did that fix it? I ask because my dad has a 2004 4-stroke Merc 9.9. It started ok and ran ok, but nothing great. Over time the starting began to require more and more cranks. One day he's out on the lake and it wouldn't start. Cranked and cranked but nothing. Had to be towed in. Turns out, spark plug not gapped wide enough. Once that was replaced, it nearly starts before the first crank is complete.

So, end of last summer I got a brand new 4-stroke Merc 9.9 for my boat. It starts ok, no problems, but sometimes takes 8-10 pulls, which should not be. It's only been run 5 hours, yet when I pulled the plugs a few months ago, both contacts were jet black with carbon. Gap? .020. Was supposed to be .040. I haven't started it yet since re-gapping, but my point of this post is that maybe there is a pattern with small Mercs coming from the factory with plugs not gapped enough.