Merc question

[JustinM]

Okay this has been bothering me for about a year now. The 2006 90 horse merc on my small boat is doing something odd. For me to start it for the first time in a day it must be completely trimmed down and takes ages to start. It never does not start. After the first start up of the day it fires up on the first crank always. Not really a big deal but just wondering what you all thought. I've had a lot of mercs but never one that is this picky on starting. One lake I like to fish I can't because the water depth won't allow my motor to be trimmed all the way down at the ramp so there for I can't start the big motor at all until I'm out in the lake. Ideas? Or just live with it?

[LJP]

Justin, the 200 Johnson on my Stratos has to be trimed down past level for it to start for the first time. then it is not as critical

[Embrey]

is it carbed?

[R19]

If my memory is correct 2007 was the last year of the carburated 90hp motors. Since your motor is 06 I assume it is carburated and It should have an eletric choke.

Starting procedure for a carburated motor with eletric choke is...prime bulb until firm,trim motor to a level position,push in on key and release,do not try to start the motor. Pushing in on the key will sqiurt gas into the carburator and activate choke. Push in on key and release again, push in on key and crank the motor.

The motor should fire...if it tries to stall a quick push and release of the key will help. The reason it has a hard time starting the first try is because it is starving for fuel and the choke is not engaged. After the motor is warmed up there is no need to choke or squirt fuel in the carbs.

Good spark plugs gapped correctly also help.

[JustinM]

So basically it's nothing but annoying. My older mercs never cared where they were trimmed to. Oh well. Thanks for the quick answers though.

[Embrey]

If my memory is correct 2007 was the last year of the carburated 90hp motors. Since your motor is 06 I assume it is carburated and It should have an eletric choke.

Starting procedure for a carburated motor with eletric choke is...prime bulb until firm,trim motor to a level position,push in on key and release,do not try to start the motor. Pushing in on the key will sqiurt gas into the carburator and activate choke. Push in on key and release again, push in on key and crank the motor.

The motor should fire...if it tries to stall a quick push and release of the key will help. The reason it has a hard time starting the first try is because it is starving for fuel and the choke is not engaged. After the motor is warmed up there is no need to choke or squirt fuel in the carbs.

Good spark plugs gapped correctly also help.

i dont get the whole push and release several times thing.anytime mine is pushed in its choked, when you let off its not

[R19]

i dont get the whole push and release several times thing.anytime mine is pushed in its choked, when you let off its not

This is second hand information that I was told by a friend. He was having trouble starting his motor so a mechanic told him to push in on the key a couple of times before trying to start. He claims that when the choke is engaged that it also sprays a mist of fuel into the carburaters. When you try to start you push and hold in on the key. Holding in on the key while cranking keeps the choke engaged.

[Embrey]

This is second hand information that I was told by a friend. He was having trouble starting his motor so a mechanic told him to push in on the key a couple of times before trying to start. He claims that when the choke is engaged that it also sprays a mist of fuel into the carburaters. When you try to start you push and hold in on the key. Holding in on the key while cranking keeps the choke engaged.

its possible depending on how its made. mine does not have such. it has a fuel enrichment circuit while its pushed in. its a 175 though and older

[CMorg]

My boat has this , its an electric choke I believe.

[Embrey]

My boat has this , its an electric choke I believe.

lol, most carb boats do...

[CMorg]

lol, most carb boats do...

Lol , thanks for the info...

[CTFSHWHISKER]

my dads 89 xr4 was nerve racking to start,he would run batt down alot of times.you may try what works on his.
back it in so that the caviation plate is just under water,i pump the key 4 or 5 times,hold the key in while cranking with just a little fast idle engaged,it will fire up very quick this way.
his vision fish n ski sets very low,if you back it all way in the exhaust is so far under it hampers starting.