My Mercury 150 xr6 is really hard to start but once it does it starts easy through out the day. The following morning will be hard to start again but the same thing happens it will start first time ever time the rest of the day. Has anybody ever had this problem (dumb question)? What was your solution? Some of might thoughts are decarb or rebuild carbs.But if someone has had this and can get me to a resolution much quicker I would truly appreciate it.
Thanks in advance!

I had a 1985 175 black max that did the same thing. Tempermental until it cranked then good for all day. Mine always started easier if I would have the trim all the way down and choke it just right. I think that this is a typical situation with the older carb motors.

Mine is a little tempermental although mine starts better if it is trimmed up first thing in the morning. It has been better this year, I had the motor serviced over the winter nothing major just a powertune, plugs and such.

What you are experiencing is pretty typical for XR6's. But they are a great motor.

I agree that most older motors are cold natured. Mine starts best when trimmed way up. I toggle the choke in and out when it first strts running. It will keep it going instead of sputtering and dieing the first time or two it is cranked.

I don't know anything you can do about it. I just thought it is how old boat motors are.

mines been like since day 1.once it is warmed up it will run.

Might check the "choke" fuel inriching valve. to see if it is activating. Also make sure that your engine is not buried in the water. Try to back down just far enough for the impeller to be indudated and then start the engine. Once started, back down all the way and launch. The more level the engine, the better it starts, the hotter the battery, the better it starts. Remember to press and hold the choke "IN" while cranking. Pressing the choke a few times and pumping the gas, has no value as to starting the engine.
1. Prime
2. advance fast start lever
3. turn switch to ON position and press in to choke, Hold in to choke
4. while holding in to choke, crank engine,
5. VROOMMMmmmmmmm!

Mine started doing this and I installed a new primre bulb.

On my 2003 XR6:
1. I level the engine.
2. I pump the bulb till it's hard.
3. I turn the switch on, push the key in and count to 45! (it's maybe about 20 seconds, really) Usually it starts right up then. If not, another count to 10 always does it.
I also advance fast start lever when cranking.

Also, if I had tilted the motor up while fishing, the gas will run out and I usually have to pump the bulb and prime it a little to get it to start.

Works for my xr6!

Thats funny, I've had the same exact problem with my XR6 and nothing, inlcuding expensive tune ups, has fixed it. If the motor doesnt crank after the 1st try with the choke in, let off and crank it without the choke and many times this fires it right up.

x2

I owned a carb merc for many years. What you described was standard operating procedure. Really never thought of it as a problem.

I have a carbed Johnson now. Same thing. And I still don't consider it a problem.

Now my injected motor - first crank every time. But it cost about 10,000 more than my carbed johnson.

On my old Merc I would prime the bulb first thing while getting ready to launch and then check the bulb just before cranking (about two more pumps to get the bulb hard)and she would crank right up with the normal starting procedures.

I guess that is how you fix it......Fuel injection. Could never do that myself, I love the smell of 2 stroke too much.