Make sure there isn't something wrapped around the prop.
With the shifter in neutral can you turn the prop both forward and reverse?

"lochawe" wrote in message
om...
Hi,

I am a begginer with engines so bear with me, I have a (second
hand)Merc 200 (20 horse) Kiekhaefer (freshwater used only). I ran it
last year for 4 days with no problem, first trip this year it ran for
first day no problem, second day it didn't want to start, but would
eventually fire up and run in reverse only...any ideas. What we
done:- we made up 1 two stroke mix up with "stihl saw" and 1 with
castrol two stroke...we have done this before with no probs as the
"stihl saw" oil is W something reccomended we were told...still dont
understand how it will only run in reverse...we did have it going in
forward for aroung a half hour after we first got this problem but
then no go.

I have the manual and am going up to change plugs ect...but if anyone
has any pointers/reccomendations I would be most appreciative. BTW I
have searched the archives with no luck.

Regards

David