Mercury outboard

Starts hard even after it’s been running sit for 15 min still takes several times to start can’t till if getting enough gas or to much.

Hp? Year? Carb model? Efi? What is it doing? More info would help us to help you

60 hp 1997 new plugs 2 years ago gas bulb same time 2 stroke sorry don’t know much more

Ok do you run non oxy fuel? Ethanol can gum up carbs. I would start by cleaning the carb but first see if the spark plugs are wet when you try to start it.

Well how does it run once you get it started and drive around? Does go back down to idle smoothly without out coughing and killing? If so, you may not have as much of a problem. There are plenty of old era Merc 2-stokes that are plain stubborn cold starters even after running and then sitting for 15 minutes. I know…I have one. Once warmed up and running, it just roars wide open and comes down to purr at idle and runs like new.

I put the stuff in for unleaded gas my friend tells me all the time I should. Better listen to him I will try what you said. Thank you Bass-attack.

It runs good at high speed and just putting around but some times when go back idle it will kill sometimes it will start then some time it will take a few times.

three cylinder or four???
if it is the four cylinder,look between the cylinders on the right hand side as you are looking at it from the prop,about half way between the module and carbs,you may have to peek behind the ignition module to see the top one,there should be two plastic lines that act as balance tubes between the upper and next cylinder down,then there should be another plastic line between the third and bottom cylinder which serves the same purpose.

look at them closely,they usually break right at the nipple they are attached to right under or outside of the clamp that retains them.
this causes a lean condition which will burn up the engine if left go to long,and will cause the starting issue you are speaking of.

best of luck and let us know!!

Its a three

ive got an .02 90 horse ELPTO. cold blooded but man she runs great. non ethanol gas for the last 10 years

Personally, I’d clean the carb and then inspect all fuel lines and fittings. Carb could be dirty or a possible air leak in the fuel system that is letting down fuel pressure between runnings.

Are you really running it at the proper mix ratio? By that I mean NOT throwing in “a little extra” oil every time? Modern oils do NOT need to be over-mixed.

Also, you say it got new plugs, but were they correctly gapped and what setting was used? Plugs do NOT come pre-gapped and the gap DOES matter. Personally, I aways stick a piece of duct tape inside the cowling where I write the plug type and gap on every outboard I own. That makes it really easy to check the gap during regular maint checks.

Grouse

Thank you Grouse something else to check she should be starting like a champ soon. Thanks again