I have a 1985 Mercury 18XD that sat all winter without starting it. I drained the fuel filter bowl and cleaned with carb cleaner. Reassembled the fuel filter and hooked up the gas can with last years fuel (Sta Bil added). It started on the third pull. I took it to the river and it started first pull. I ran it about two hours and stopped it using the tiller stop switch. The motor would not immediately restart. I waited until it cooled down about thirty minutes and it started right up. I parked the boat for two days, filled the gas can with fresh fuel, and it started first pull. I ran it about 2 1/2 hours, stopped the boat and it wouldn't restart. I loaded it on the trailer, brought it home (two hour drive) and it started right up first pull. Gas can was vented. Both spark plugs are new; when removed upper plug was near pristine with very little fouling, bottom plug was slightly wet and far more fouled.......but nothing that would cause it to not fire. I did not have my spark tester with me but I suspect ignition coil break-down.
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?