Re-installing idle mixture screw/low speed jet

[jdupree]

I posted on TMD but also wanted to see if there are any Mercury guys here on the sight.

I have a 1992 Mercury 200 HP Offshore. I need to put the idle mixture needle valve back in. There are 2 on each carb. The book says that when you put them back on to screw them in until they "lightly seated".  Does this mean when I screw it back to screw it until the spring gets some tention, or screw it all the way in until it stops.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated.  Thanks.

[GoneFission]

It means screw it until it hits the stops at the end of the hole - don't overdo it, or you will damage the jet screw.  Then turn it out about 1 1/2 turns as a starting point.  After the engine is started and warm, you can do final idle adjustments.  Remember, a little rich is always better than a little lean on a 2 cycle engine!  

Hope this helps - see ya on the water!

[jdupree]

Thanks as always GF Are you saying right when I see the spring start to compress, then turn the screw back 1 1/2 turns.  Or do I compress the spring all the way down, then back it out 1 1/2 turns? Does the clockwise turn richen it or lean it?

[GoneFission]

All the way down - the spring just holds the screw to keep it from backing out.  Tighten until the screw seats in the jet hole.

[jdupree]

Well, I screwed the idle mixture screws back in until they stopped and then backed them out 1 1/2 turn on each.  Now the motor won't start.  It will just turn over but will not fire.  I plan to check for spark tonight.  The motor ran fine before I removed the needle valves  

I would think even if the idle mixture screws were set wrong the motor would still start   If I have spark what next