'98 Mercury Force 90HP Starting Problems

[zheka]

Hello. I recently bought a Bayliner boat, with 98 Mercury Force 90HP motor. I tested the boat on the water with the seller, everything was great. Compression was around 130 I believe, on all 3 cylinders. Got it home. Next day went on the water, and it wouldn't start. Fuel film started to appear on the water when trying to start. Next day, it started, drove for about 20 miles, then at the dock, I put it to idle, and it stalled right away (prior to that, it was always at throttle). Once it stalled, I wasn't able to start it. Tried starting it home, I noticed there's fuel leaking from the carburetors. It's hard to say if it's coming form the top and is going through the other 2, or all 3 are leaking.

Where/what should I start with? What I should I check? What could be the problem? And what will it take to get that fixed?

I am not a mechanic by profession, but I'm very hands on.

Any help is appreciated in advance.

 

[roscoe]

Hmmm, looks like your thread got skipped over.

Sorry about that.

Sounds like you have fuel delivery issues.

Disassembling the carbs, along with a good cleaning will likely fix the issue.
Check and set the float level.
Link n sync the carbs, check timing.
Best to have a repair manual handy to walk you through the steps.

Other maintenance to do, change water pump impeller,
change gear case lube,
grease the tilt tube and steering swivel,
replace fuel pump diaphram,
clean or replace sparkplugs.


I see you had issues with the controls, and replaced them, hopefully all is working now.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Follow this starting procedure.


There is no conventional choke on that motor.
There is a fuel enrichment valve, that releases fuel directly into the intake manifold.

Open fuel tank vent

Check the kill switch, place in "run" position

Squeeze fuel primer bulb till firm.

Advance the throttle 3/4 way or more, without putting it in gear. -- This is done by either pushing a button in the center of the controls, or pulling the shift handle toward the driver, or raising the fast idle lever, all depending on what control unit you have.

Turn the key to the on/run position.

Activate the choke (fuel enrichment valve) by pushing in on the key. The valve is only open while the key is being pushed in.

Turn the key to start while continuing to hold the key in.

Release the key and choke when it starts.

3-5 seconds of "choke", is usually enough.

Be ready to pull the throttle back toward the idle/neutral position, when the engine starts and the revs increase.

Continue to pull the throttle back as the engine warms up.

You should not have to use the choke much, if at all, once the engine has warmed up.

Engine should start within 10 seconds of turning the key.