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It seems that my motor is a little harder to start than I would like. Is there some sort of calibration test or something to test the enricher valve flow? Does anybody just go a different direction? Are there other, more dependable ways to start a cold carb motor? It seems like I have to hold the "choke" position for a long time to get enough fuel in there for it to start. Thanks in advance.

is your enriched valve engaging? when I set my 2.4 up my push to choke wouldn't engage it....I had to wire it straight to a 12v switch. but I wasn't using a merc control box.

just thought I'd throw that at ya.

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I have a regular plug in harness. It did seem to act a little differently after I replaced my ignition switch, but I hear it clicking. Dumb question, but you push and hold prior to trying to start, this lets fuel drain into the back of the carbs? Unlike the old Johnson primer where you pulse it several times, and each pulse gives it another squirt. I assume by where and how it is mounted, you just engage it for several seconds and gravity does the rest. Correct?

Dumb question maybe, but let's start from the start..... Are you using a primer bulb? Does it get firm, and stay firm??

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Yes, I have a primer bulb. Pumps right up nice and tight every time. After the boat sets a week or two it will take a couple of squeezes to make her firm again.

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well ive had several o/b boats and had issues with cold starting. had a inline 6 merc i swore was addicted to starting fluid. then after researching the primer bulb location found this out. mount the prime bulb close to the motor .when you pump it up arrow face up to the sky. started better than ever. picked this up from a old mercury mechanic forum from the 1980s. gary

Mine is close to the engine. Are you saying that the arrow on the bulb face up while it's horizontal still, or the whole bulb vertical? Last time I took one apart, I didn't see any difference in orientation of the parts, everything was kind of centered and straight through.

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no is simple bulb close to the motor when you pump it face the arrow up then lay it down like normal. gary

The enrichener,.... thru gravity gets fuel from the top carb float bowl and puts it in the bottom carb bases. I would pull hoses off and see if there is any gunk built up looking closely at the top carb float bowl fitting first.

Usually I push the key in for " choke" for 15 seconds before cranking. This allows extra fuel into the motor before cranking.

The bulb should be as close to the tank as possible. They want to "push" not "pull".
Also if you have to flush out the filter, pushing the fuel thru is easier than sucking air.

well replaced the dip tube in the tank and i dont run a filter in the tank i piped mine in line leaving the tank with clear see thru glass style . not sayin this is proper but is worked for years and at a glance you can see whats in the gas. gary