I've had a 2.5 hp Mercury 4-stroke for 3 yrs. with no problems. This year it wouldn't start. Took it to one shop and was charged $$$ to fix it. When I went to pick it up, I was shown that it started and didn't stall at slow idle. Put it on the transom and tried starting it at home. NO GO! The second trip to the mechanic no different than the first.
Took it to a different shop - same thing happened. Started in the shop, but not once after I got it home. It did start once on the water, but wouldn't start again 1/2 mi. from the launch. Not happy rowing all the way back, especially hearing thunder.
Again, $$$ wasted plus truck gas to transport the motor.
Disgusted, I bought a 4 hp from Amazon but still haven't used it.
Not wanting to feel the frustration of a gas motor not starting, I ordered a 62# thrust Newport 12v trolling motor (man is that motor fast!!)
But every day, I still tried to start the 2.5 hp with zero starting until I had an idea: loosen the gas cap.
WOOSH, air replaced the vacuum and the motor started and idled every day from that day on! I found out the vent on the cap wasn't venting. Plus, the cool temperature in the shop was much cooler than that of the motor sitting in the hot sun, which may account for being able to start the motor in those shops.
All that money wasted on a defective gas tank vent!
Took it to a different shop - same thing happened. Started in the shop, but not once after I got it home. It did start once on the water, but wouldn't start again 1/2 mi. from the launch. Not happy rowing all the way back, especially hearing thunder.
Again, $$$ wasted plus truck gas to transport the motor.
Disgusted, I bought a 4 hp from Amazon but still haven't used it.
Not wanting to feel the frustration of a gas motor not starting, I ordered a 62# thrust Newport 12v trolling motor (man is that motor fast!!)
But every day, I still tried to start the 2.5 hp with zero starting until I had an idea: loosen the gas cap.
WOOSH, air replaced the vacuum and the motor started and idled every day from that day on! I found out the vent on the cap wasn't venting. Plus, the cool temperature in the shop was much cooler than that of the motor sitting in the hot sun, which may account for being able to start the motor in those shops.
All that money wasted on a defective gas tank vent!
