Idle Troubles

[DAN]

I bought my first boat a month ago and took it out for the third time yesterday. A mod-vee polar kraft with a 2002 25 horse 2 stroke merc. It initially started fine. Got to the fishing hole and caught a few undersized pike. Went to start back up and it didnt want to. Had to hit the primer on the motor a few times and pulled the choke then she fired up but did not want to idle. Once I was able to get on the throttle she ran fine. It seems as if she is starving for fuel at idle. I was messing with it today on muffs in the driveway the only way i could keep it idling was to keep it choked and hitting the primer. Anyone have similar experiences with this type of problem?
Thanks in advaced!

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Possibly a leak in the bulb or fuel line. Replace both and you should be fine.

[bps10ga]

my 2 stroke 15hp merc is in the shop at the moment for the same problem, I changed to a new tank, hose, bulb and plugs. Should have it back by the end of the week:woohoo1: they are going to rebuild the carb and tune it up.

[double trouble]

a blocked check valve at the tank, a clogged fuel filter screen , also like we tell everyone. run some sea foam thru the motor. too many shops want to rebuild carbs when a little good maintenance will suffice. they don't want to tell you to run some seafoam thru it and not get their $500.if that carb has an idle system jet ,its possibly gummed up. switch to a temporary tank and hose.run a heavy dose of seafoam thru it.also, see if what Mike said is true. thats usually the first thing to be wrong. a leak or bad ball.
My old parts man used to tell me that half of the motor problems he saw at his shop were hose,gas,tank, or ball related ,but everyone got a tuneup just to be on the "safe "side. cover your basics first.

[bps10ga]

I run sea foam in my outboard mix along with running the fuel system dry and use fogging oil before it's put away each winter. The shop told me i shouldn't need the carb rebuilt but since it's 12 years old I asked them to rebuild it anyway, I guess that's just my preference. Thanks for the good advice, I even run sea foam in my vehicles about every other month.

[DAN]

Thanks for the advice guys! I will stop by west marine after work.