Mercury 90-HP FOURSTROKE: Cure for Hard Starting

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Author Topic:   Mercury 90-HP FOURSTROKE: Cure for Hard Starting

Nauti Tauk posted 10-26-2008 11:07 AM ET (US)
I have a 2003 Mercury 90-HP FOURSTROKE on our 170 Montauk. It had become very hard to start when cold. I seached this topic and was referred to the fuel enrichment circuit on this carburated motor. Since a mechanic I ain't, the $71 shop manual was ordered to be safe. I just finished the cleaning of the two enrichment units, and--Voila--instant start! If anyone else is going to clean the units on their Mercury 90-HP FOURSTRIKE, I did mine without completely removing them. Once three screws are removed that hold the unit to the block and one screw is removed to get the solinoid on top off, it can be cleaned without removing fuel lines. I used carburetor cleaner and Q-tips along with compressor to remove varnish that had evidently kept the jet and needle valve solenoid from performing correctly. The job was straight forward and took less than an hour including breaking out a few tools and small pancake type compressor. Hope this will save others some money.
jimh posted 10-26-2008 12:48 PM ET (US)
Thanks for the tip on how to repair the fuel enrichment circuit on your Mercury FOURSTROKE outboard motor. Almost all engines employ some sort of fuel enrichment circuit to improve starting when the engine is cold, and, as you note, when the fuel enrichment circuit is not working properly, engine starting when cold becomes difficult.

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Author	Topic: Mercury 90-HP FOURSTROKE: Cure for Hard Starting
Nauti Tauk	posted 10-26-2008 11:07 AM ET (US) I have a 2003 Mercury 90-HP FOURSTROKE on our 170 Montauk. It had become very hard to start when cold. I seached this topic and was referred to the fuel enrichment circuit on this carburated motor. Since a mechanic I ain't, the $71 shop manual was ordered to be safe. I just finished the cleaning of the two enrichment units, and--Voila--instant start! If anyone else is going to clean the units on their Mercury 90-HP FOURSTRIKE, I did mine without completely removing them. Once three screws are removed that hold the unit to the block and one screw is removed to get the solinoid on top off, it can be cleaned without removing fuel lines. I used carburetor cleaner and Q-tips along with compressor to remove varnish that had evidently kept the jet and needle valve solenoid from performing correctly. The job was straight forward and took less than an hour including breaking out a few tools and small pancake type compressor. Hope this will save others some money.
jimh	posted 10-26-2008 12:48 PM ET (US) Thanks for the tip on how to repair the fuel enrichment circuit on your Mercury FOURSTROKE outboard motor. Almost all engines employ some sort of fuel enrichment circuit to improve starting when the engine is cold, and, as you note, when the fuel enrichment circuit is not working properly, engine starting when cold becomes difficult.