This is the two stroke, carbed prop model. I've been using this motor one week a year for the last few years. I only put 90+ octane E0 through it but I can't speak for previous owners.
Anyway, last year it didn't want to start at the start of vacation week and the mechanic got it going by squeezing the fuel bulb really hard. To avoid it again, he advised we run the engine fuel system dry before storing it, which we did.
This year it won't start again. One mechanic suggested the carb needles are sticking - but it seems unlikely that both carbs are stuck equally.
So rather than get deep into diagnostics and kick the reliability can further down the road, I'm inclined to overhaul the fuel system. It's 20+ years old already. Fresh fuel pump kit including lines, a fuel filter, check valve, new tank to motor fuel line assembly, and carb rebuilds. The tank fuel line is only two years old but I might replace it anyway and keep one as a spare.
So I have a few questions:
- Do the Merc carb rebuild kits contain a float and needle? I'm told they do not, and I am advised I should buy them separately.
- If the carb needle(s) are stuck, should I just take the boat out for a drive on the trailer and shake them loose?
- Anything else I should look into?
Anyway, last year it didn't want to start at the start of vacation week and the mechanic got it going by squeezing the fuel bulb really hard. To avoid it again, he advised we run the engine fuel system dry before storing it, which we did.
This year it won't start again. One mechanic suggested the carb needles are sticking - but it seems unlikely that both carbs are stuck equally.
So rather than get deep into diagnostics and kick the reliability can further down the road, I'm inclined to overhaul the fuel system. It's 20+ years old already. Fresh fuel pump kit including lines, a fuel filter, check valve, new tank to motor fuel line assembly, and carb rebuilds. The tank fuel line is only two years old but I might replace it anyway and keep one as a spare.
So I have a few questions:
- Do the Merc carb rebuild kits contain a float and needle? I'm told they do not, and I am advised I should buy them separately.
- If the carb needle(s) are stuck, should I just take the boat out for a drive on the trailer and shake them loose?
- Anything else I should look into?