Choke problem?

[Imarudedude]

Hello all. I have a 1993 90 hp Mercury outboard (serial # 0d179573) that is having some issues.

Im not entirely sure how to use the cold start/choke function with key and if that is indeed my problem or not.

The only way to get the engine to start is to put it in gear and give it a decent amount of throttle. This is obviously not ideal and I don’t intend to drive it until the issue is fixed.

It it has an electric choke/primer (I’m assuming primer not entirely sure) that you can hear click when you press the key in.

Ive heard varying takes on how it should be operated:
Press and hold for five seconds.
Press once prior to starting then depress and turn key.
Press it and hold in when turning over.

Ive tried all of these methods to no avail.

I appreciate any advice or insight anyone could offer this community has always been great!

 

[jbuote]

Not a pro, nor a mercury guy... (I have Johnson engines..) So I could be off a bit here, but the theory should be similar.. LOL)

As I understand it, if it's a primer/enrichener (which based on parts breakdown it is) then usually (at least on Johnsons) they only work when the engine is cranking to start or running..
It's just a valve that opens and lets fuel into the cylinders or manifold bypassing carb..
So pressing it prior to trying to start won't do much as there isn't any fuel pressure.
Fuel pump needs to be working for primer to work..

So my bet, is to hold it while trying to start is what you want.. Let go once it fires and starts running...
Bump the key in if needed to keep it running..

As for putting it in gear....

Is this a tiller or remote?
If remote, there should be a "Start/Fast Idle" lever or something...
Some remotes have a push button in the middle of the throttle handle (the axis point/hinge point the throttle rotates on )
It think mercs are sometimes square..
If it has that, you can push it in, and advance throttle a bit for fast idle..
Pushing the button allows you to add throttle, but does not move the gear selector inside..
Then, once you bring it back to Idle/neutral, button pops out and next advance of throttle will engage gears too..

At least that's how I understand it anyway...
Again, NOT a pro, nor merc guy, but it should be that simple and certainly similar to this anyway..

I'm sure a Mercury person will add/expand/correct if I have any of this wrong for a Merc...

Hope it helps!

 

[GA_Boater]

The motor has an Enrichener and it only allows extra fuel in the carb by pushing in the key WHILE cranking. The fuel pump has to be pressurizing fuel in order for it to work.

Now your other problem is not using either the Warmup Lever or Throttle Only button to give it gas and keeping the motor in neutral.

The biggest problem you have being able to crank the motor in gear. The Neutral Safety switch is either broken or jumped.

 

[Imarudedude]

You are correct. I haven’t run the boat in a while and just fired it up today. There is a button on the throttle to disengage the propeller and put it into neutral. That being said it still seems like it needs quite a bit of throttle to start. As when I first bought the boat five years ago I never had to give it an throttle when starting it and it’d fire right up

 

[GA_Boater]

Don't forget to squeeze the bulb until it's very firm or hard.

 

[GA_Boater]

You're putting it in gear and give it throttle - I read that as you are starting the motor in gear. After re-reading and your next post, you are using the Throttle Only button. That's what it's there for, just like a old car when you give it some gas while cranking during a cold start.

Squeeze the bulb, give it gas with the motor in neutral or with the button and push in the key while cranking.

 

[QBhoy]

Most engines like yours, that age, brand and size...came with a remote that has a lever system to open the throttle in neutral. You say you have a remote that has a button ?
in any case, with the primer bulb pressed until firm and the key pushed in for choke and throttle open (in neutral) it should try and fire. Sometimes after that some engines will fire better without the choke pushed in second time round.