mercury 3.6 1980 keeps stalling

[Becky Watkins]

it runs fine for about 20 seconds then coughs and dies but then will start up straight away and do it again?is their a mixture screw ? any other ideas?

 

[Becky Watkins]

got my husband to fire it up my arms are killing me see video http://youtu.be/L0BjVq_QysI

 

[Becky Watkins]

anybody?

 

[guyjg]

Are there two adjustment screws on one side? Left would be low speed and right would be idle speed. Open the fuel cap and see if that helps.

 

[Becky Watkins]

Are there two adjustment screws on one side? Left would be low speed and right would be idle speed. Open the fuel cap and see if that helps.

on the side of? the carb?

 

[guyjg]

yes...they would/should have screws inserted inside springs.

 

[Becky Watkins]

ok i'll have a look thanks

 

[Becky Watkins]

http://www.crowleymarine.com/mercury-outboard/parts/668_4.cfm are the screws your talking about 20-21?

 

[guyjg]

yes they are

 

[Becky Watkins]

i tried the screws in every position but still stalling

 

[guyjg]

Will the engine rev up if you use the throttle? It seems to be a fuel issue but have you checked the compression? W/o it the engine will never run.

 

[BatteryMan]

Sounds like symptoms of deposits in the carburetor restricting fuel flow. This happens to motors that sit for a long period of time with gas still in the carb. Also happens with older motors whose fuel lines react with ethanol that gas contains today. I suggest that you remove the carb and clean it.