'84 120 Merc trouble starting

[1984SportCraft]

Hello all. Just wanted to share a problem I am having with my 1984 120 Merc and see if anyone has suggestions:<br /><br />Doesn't want to start right off. Seemed like battery was a bit sluggish, so I replaced last week. Upon installing new battery, it started right up! I thought my troubles might be over.<br /><br />Boat has sat for 1 week and now refuses to start again. I tried just starting it first, then with just a bit of throttle. Nothing happened. Tried to the point of running down the new battery and still nothing. I know it could be a million things, but anyone got any suggestions as to where to start?<br /><br />Unfortunately I am new to I/O and don't know a whole lot about this engine. Thanks in adavance!

 

[Don S]

Re: '84 120 Merc trouble starting

From the sounds of it, you are trying to start it like an EFI engine without giving any throttle. That's not going to work with a carbed engine.<br />You need to pump the throttle a couple of times (That closes the choke and pumps some fuel into the engine) and give it about half throttle and try to start it. Then you may also need to pump the throttle a liitle to keep it going till it warms up.