Fuel priming bulb

[teecro]

I've got a huge gap in experience and outboards have evolved so much... But some older carb motors you were able to push the entire key-switch in while you were cranking to engage some choke or enriching circuit as well as there being some way of running up the motor speed without putting the engine in gear. Mercury I think was a big button in the middle of the throttle pivot point that you pushed and allowed you to free throttle.

[Likesspace]

Teecro,

My ignition switch does say "push to choke" but it doesn't really seem to do anything when I do so. Maybe mine is broken or maybe I'm not holding it in, long enough.
I did a little google work today and saw that most Mercury outboards have a button on the pivot point of the throttle lever. I'm going to the lake either tomorrow or Thursday so I'll be looking for that fast idle button and giving it a try.
I guess this is one of the downfalls of buying a used boat and motor. The kid I bought it from showed me quite a lot but I'm not sure that he even knew about the fast idle feature. I'm really looking forward to seeing if this helps my starting problems, (even though they aren't that bad).

Thanks again to everyone for the replies. I can't begin to tell you all how much I've already learned from this forum. You help is very much appreciated.

Dave

[Cowracer]

My 2001 125 Merc. absolutely will not start after sitting a week or so without pumping the bulb 7-8 times. My buddies old 1990 50hp Force will start almost instantly every time, and neither of us could tell you if it even HAS a primer bulb.

I'm guessing motors can act differently. My advice is keep track of how many pumps it takes to make is start cleanly, and then just do that and not stress about it. I know I don't.


Tim

[Likesspace]

I'd have to say you're right about not stressing about it.
Tonight I went to the lake, (even though my new prop didn't come in), and checked for a fast idle button. Well evidently I have a budget basement control because there is absolutely no button on the control except the one that allows you to shit into forward and reverse.
I basically said the heck with it and started pumping the primer bulb. I gave it seven pumps and the thing pumped up hard as a rock. I then went and hit the key and it cranked probably two seconds and was running. It did die once but a quick turn of the key had it running again.
it does run a little rough when accelerating from idle to full throttle so I'm wondering if it might need plugs. I have no idea how anal the previous owner was when it comes to proper maintenance.
I'm going to try to get by the rest of this season, (since it really does run well), and then do some maintenance myself. I'm then going to take it to a local boat mechanic and have him do a few things that I'm just not really comfortable doing.
Thanks again for the replies, guys. It is much appreciated.

[Bamby]

Here is an example of a Mercury control and this one actually has two ways to set the motor into fast idle or enriched starting mode.

Mercury_control.jpg (206.83 KiB) Viewed 2352 times

[Likesspace]

Bamby....


I really appreciate the time you took to make this post but unfortunately that doesn't apply to my control. I've looked everywhere on this control and there simply is not any type of fast idle button or adjustment. It seems that this control simply relies on priming the carbs and starting at idle. Having said that, after pumping the bulb until it's rock hard, the motor starts effortlessly.

Thanks again for trying to help. I really appreciate it.