Tohatsu 5HP SP Propane won't run...

[jviss]

it starts fine (five pulls)

That's interesting, I wouldn't call 5 pulls "starting fine." My 15hp gas 2-stroke Merc, when the carb is clean and functioning properly, most notably the priming pump, starts on one pull.

 

[Captain Larry-DH]

I have had my Mercury Propane Sailpro for about a year and a half. I have noticed that if I sail once or more a week (required to motor out of the harbor) it starts fine (five pulls). If I go longer, it takes as many as 10 to 15 pulls. I wiggle the shifter to make sure the neutral switch is made but it acts like it just wants a little attention before it fires up. It is quite easy to pull compared to my old Honda 8 hp. It has never failed to start. I will start referring to her as she.
I have a '98 Hunter 240.

I think 5 pulls is 3-4 too many. 15 is a big issue. I’m wondering if air is getting into the carb and/or gas feed line…. is there a bleed valve on the carb or just before it on the secondary regulator to prime the carb with fresh gas?
Edit: Or maybe you can add a bleed valve. I’d sell the engine if it needed that many pulls on a regular basis, and couldn’t be fixed.