'97 9.9 Merc - Won't Start

[baileyka]

Last summer, had problems with engine running. Would stall out under power, and had to idle all the way back to dock on 2 occassions.<br /><br />Took motor in and had it serviced. They rebuilt carb, said it ran great (started on first pull so they said). Stored it for winter, never having tried it out.<br /><br />Took out for the first time 2 weeks ago. Couldn't get it started.<br /><br />Bought new plugs (NGK) and installed. Existing were badly foweled.<br /><br />Checked Spark -- Looks good - Strong and Bright Blue.<br /><br />Disassembled fuel filter/line -- Can blow through filter and am getting gas to carb.<br /><br />Finally got started by manually pulling throttle wide open and starting. Took out on water and as long as I take off the shroud and pull the throttle wide open while pulling - it will start.<br /><br />Runs fine once in gear and moving. Ran a full tank of good clean gas through it. Still won't start any other way and won't idle at all. Even with idler on front turned all the way to "fast".<br /><br />Don't want to take back in for service, cost a fortune last time. Looking to try to fix myself if simple enough, but don't know what to look for.

 

[HondaPower]

Re: '97 9.9 Merc - Won't Start

I am new to merc engines having just bought a used 1993 15hp( so take what I say with a grain of salt, as there are many here on the site who have forgotten more than I will ever know about these engines). Mine had a similar cold start problem and required squirting a gas oil mix into the carb to start. Once warm she would start with one pull. My manual still had not arrived so I got an exploded view of the carb from the mercury parts express site, and low and behold there was a priming curcuit on the carb. Removed carb and cleaned it paying special attention to the priming curcuit, and now she starts first pull every time cold or warm.

 

[mcginleyc]

Re: '97 9.9 Merc - Won't Start

Kab 12 sorry to hear about the bad technician story. Unfortunately many mechanics in the marine field are out there to replace parts and not track down the source of the problem. I would take it back to them. If I were your mechanic and charged you to fix the engine it should run correctly. It should at least start the way the manufacturer designed it to. I have rebuilt that 9.9 merc and it is a simple and low maintenance motor. I bet the mechanic failed to test the engine after it was serviced. Sounds like the timing is way off. The idle timing probably needs to be advanced, since it is starting when you manually advance it. Take it back to them and be firm. If they won't fix it they probably will not be in business very long! Good Luck