Trouble Starting Mercury OB

[daddie05]

I purchased an 89 sea ray bow rider 18' 135hp with a mercury OB 180 about 2-3 months ago, but I always have trouble when starting engine when its cold. It starts easy when its warmed up so I was told by other fellow iboaters that it may need a tune-up, or the choke isn't being used properly. I hope it's the choke because I am not familiar with it, so maybe someone can help me out here. The ignition can be pushed in while starting and you hear the engine choke up, but there is also a button right next to the ignition that says choke (it doesn't) do anything when I press it though. I spray starter fluid on the carbs to help it start while cold, but it doesn't really help. I also bought sea foam but haven't used it. Is Sea foam recommended?
Is tuning up an OB pretty easy. I usually tune-up my cars and change brakes if needed. I don't want to mess anything up(put the wrong oil, spark plugs, etc).
Any help would be appreciated.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Trouble Starting Mercury OB

The choke on that motor is likely a enrichener. When you push in the ign key, it opens a valve allowing fuel from the top carb to flow into the mid carb and lower carb throats. So to start her, pump up the primer bulb until it is hard. Now lift the cold start lever full, or set the throttle to throttle only advance. Now hold the key in to choke, and crank her until she starts.

If she runs good once warm, I would recommend she be left alone....Changing the impeller and monitoring the cooling system is always a good idea....

 

[Maxz695]

Re: Trouble Starting Mercury OB

Quote " I spray starter fluid on the carbs to help it start while cold" This is a NO NO Carb spray will dry out the engine of it,s oil and can do damage. Use fuel mixture instead

 

[daddie05]

Re: Trouble Starting Mercury OB

Thanks for the input guys. Should I do the tune up, or just get it done professionally for 300 (thought it was 350) plus 70 to repair my aluminum prop? What would I change? Eng Oil, sparks, spark cables, air filter? Okay no more starter fluid. Only sprayed it once. What about the Sea foam?

By setting the throttle to throttle only in advance you mean to pull out the throttle handle about half an inch and pushing it forward before attempting to start it? I hope I'm explaining it well enough.

 

[daddie05]

Re: Trouble Starting Mercury OB

The choke on that motor is likely a enrichener. When you push in the ign key, it opens a valve allowing fuel from the top carb to flow into the mid carb and lower carb throats. So to start her, pump up the primer bulb until it is hard. Now lift the cold start lever full, or set the throttle to throttle only advance. Now hold the key in to choke, and crank her until she starts.

If she runs good once warm, I would recommend she be left alone....Changing the impeller and monitoring the cooling system is always a good idea....

It takes me about 30 min to get her started when cold. Sometimes longer. I hope its cuz I am not using the choke correctly. Other iboat members recommended i get it serviced. I want my boat to start within 5 min. If getting it serviced helps, then I'll be sure to get it done before my next trip to the lake.

 

[Maxz695]

Re: Trouble Starting Mercury OB

View attachment 168631 Sea foam is a wonderful thing. I used it in my 40 HP was getting black blugs and fowling out every other trip. After using the sea foam for several trips I had much better results. I bought a 70 HP to put on the 40 Midsection and did a tear down to part out the 40 HP the pistons where over half coffee colored with some black remnants on the outter ridges of the High domes of the pistons showing how ell it was cleaning I highly recommend using it often

 

[aussieflash]

Re: Trouble Starting Mercury OB

Runs good when warm??..."Starts easy when warm".Forget the service as it wont help your cold starts....you just need to learn where your neutral lever or throttle only button is.Without using it,it will be almost impossible to start.
ASK any boat owner/service ctr/mechanic to show you a cold start.

 

[daddie05]

Re: Trouble Starting Mercury OB

Finally applied the choke correctly, and it turned on right away. Thanks so much fellow iboaters.