I have a 1976 Mercury 85 h.p. outboard motor that cranks and idles
just fine, but when I put it in gear it quits. It will run if I push
the choke button. When I let off of the choke it slowly quits running,
but once in a while it will keep running for 5-10 minutes without
using the choke. Anyone got any ideas what could be causing the
problem?

You need to clean the carbs and then set the idles. Get the manual 1st.

-W

"rufus" wrote in message
om...
I have a 1976 Mercury 85 h.p. outboard motor that cranks and idles
just fine, but when I put it in gear it quits. It will run if I push
the choke button. When I let off of the choke it slowly quits running,
but once in a while it will keep running for 5-10 minutes without
using the choke. Anyone got any ideas what could be causing the
problem?