Fitz, this ones for you

[flyboyo2]

1989 Mariner 75, been running like a top.  Changed impeller and seals in lower unit, put it on the muffs and the stream was like an eighteen year old, after about 5-10 minutes it started running a little rough and shut down.  It will not restart. Wha' hoppen'? Where do I start looking? Be gentle.

[fitz73222]

Sounds like it ran out of gas. Re prime, push in on the choke and see if it starts.

[flyboyo2]

Fitz, you were correct as usual.  This time when I started I did what a fellow Aquaholic recommended and pushed the key in for a count of ten before start and she fired up and ran for about 3-4 minutes and died. I then noticed that when I pulled her out of the garage to use the muffs the trailer was in a bow down attitude and with only 1/4 tank of fuel I guessed all the fuel was in the forward section of the tank away from the pickup. Zo! I cranked her up bow high but no go.  I'm getting spark but I don't know if it's hot enough. After several attemps to start with no ignition there are copious amounts of unburned gas and oil coming from the weep hole on the l/u.  It appears I'm getting fuel and spark but no ignition.  Could I have done something when replacing the impeller and seals to cause this to happen.  She ran fine before I did my jackleg maintenance.

[Blue Agave]

Sounds like you may have gone from no fuel to flooding it. On this last go around did you advance the throttle wide open to accommodate all the fuel in the carbs?

[flyboyo2]

No I didn't, you will have to excuse my ignorance but if I advance the throttle while starting will it not cut out the starting circuit?  The motor will only start in neutral. Hey, I'm learning here.

[Blue Agave]

No apology necessary. Does the throttle not have a detent button that allows you to advance the throttle while the shifter stays in neutral?

[flyboyo2]

Not the cheapo one I have but I can advance it at the motor now that you mention it. I will keep you advised.  I must attended to other duties if I wish to see another sunrise.  The War Dept. is calling.

[Blue Agave]

In that case just try again as time will help if it's flooded. I'd be curious to see your throttle / shifter as it has to have some type of detent. If no button I would think that the arm may pull out to disengage the shifter.

[RickK]

^ what Blue said.  My throttle handle pulls straight out at the pivot point and that disengages it from gear and allows you to throttle up.

[wingtime]

I agree, there has to be a way to open the throttle without shifting out of neutral.  ones without a button usually pull out as mentioned.  Oh and a ten count is a tad long for choke if you ask me.

[fitz73222]

I've never seen a control box that cannot be advanced in neutral for starting and warm up. So the entire time you've had this boat you haven't advanced the throttle only in neutral to cold start this engine? Please take a picture of this control box and post the picture before we continue with this.

[flyboyo2]

My last outboard was in 1974 and I've forgotten more than I probably knew about them. RikK was spot on, the throttle lever disengages at the pivot point and bypasses the neutral switch and gear shift.
The motor has been run on the muff about 5-6 times and in the water once last week.  It always started immediately but the idle was a little rough. Yesterday while tinkering with the idle adjustment I noticed that the upper throttle lever linkage and the spark advance lever are both cracked and must be replaced. 29 year old plastice just ain't what it used to be. I'm dead in the water until I can get that done.