1972 Mercury 3.5 hp outboard. Choke problems. When hand choked, it starts. Otherwise it won't. Mikuni carb.

Question

Choke is a lever and a shaft with a hole in it. When the lever is pushed, the hole lines up with a passage going to the throttle valve. Don't understand this kind of choke set-up. Use to the butterfly valve choke or a primier bulb. Great preformance with the engine after it is started.

Answer 1

Sounds like the motor is working fine-you choke it to get it started and when it starts it runs good- you have no problem as long as it does this .

Answer 2

OK!  Let me think........ pull choke lever, start engine, push lever in?    Engine runs great.    OK!    I don't get it?   Sounds like......... It works.