MOTOR WILL NOT IDLE

[Tileman]

My son has a Mercury 200- 20HP. The motor was running good the last time out until we got back to ramp then it kept dying. We loaded it and took it home. The next day we tried to start it at home, it would start with it choked but when pushed choke in it dies. When you get it started and fool with the choke, in and out you can get it to stay running. We checked fuel line, primer bulb, fuel strainer at carb, getting fuel to there. I don't know what to try next, ANY HELP would be appreciated!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[AThornton]

Wrechin will chime in soon I'm sure. He's your man

 

[Hook1]

Yep, wrencin can tell you anything you need on a motor.

 

[Jason F-18]

Sounds alot like the problems associated with Ethanol fuels. Since they are more of a solvent, they can tend to gum up the jets in the carb.

Here are a few articles

http://www.factsaboutethanol.org/2007/11/19/ethanol-and-boat-motors-dont-mix/

http://www.evinrude-parts.com/boat_ethanol_danger_precaution.html

 

[dlmille]

My 150 HP Yamaha was doing the same thing. Get the carbs cleaned. That was the problem with mine.

 

[wrechin2]

It may have gotten trash in carbs or the ethanol has broken some varish loose inside. Sounds like the idle jet is partially stopped up. A carb cleaning should do the trick. It may also have water in the fuel because of ethanol attracts water. By choking the fuel you are doubling/tripling the fuel going into it. If it has water in it, say 30%, than you have to double it to get the same amount of fuel it normally would have at a idle, either case cleaning the carb and flushing the system should fix it.

Test the fuel for water by draining what is in the carb and letting it sit for a hour in a clear container. If it has water it will settle at the bottom and be very easy to see. Hope this helps!!!