Boat Problems

[Hoover28]

Hey I thought I would post this on this board, b/c you guys are always really helpful. Thought you might be of some assistance. My boat will Idle at a low speed, but when I throw down the throttle It will die out. And it will not idle at a stop. Its definetly sounding like its not getting gas.
I have replaced the fuel filter, my next step was to put in a new fuel line assembly. I was hoping to keep from messing with the carburator.
My boat is an '87 bass tracker/'89 mercury 150 hp.

Any help would be appreciated, Thanks!

[Chris D]

I had one that did that it was a power pack.

[Moose1am]

Try using some sea foam in the gas tank first before you try anything else. It can only help and won't hurt the boat engine any.

If you have any gummy fuel in the carburetor the sea foam will dissolve it hopefully. Sea Foam can be found at most auto parts stores. It costs about $6.00 a can. A can will treat about 12 gallons of gas.

You can also buy Sea Foam in a spray can and use that to spray down the throat of the carburetor.

The engine will smoke for a few minutes and then eventually it will become smoke free as all the unburned carbon is eliminated from the engine.

You also may have a brownish oily substance that comes out of the exhaust of the prop but that's nothing to worry about. Just put something under the prop to keep the floor clean until it stops. This is just the oily residue of the dissolved carbon coming out of the engine's long exhaust port.

If sea foam does not solve the problem then you can have the carburetor rebuilt if that's the problem.

Try the Sea foam first. Sea Foam is mostly NAPTHA which is a very light distillate.

Hey I thought I would post this on this board, b/c you guys are always really helpful. Thought you might be of some assistance. My boat will Idle at a low speed, but when I throw down the throttle It will die out. And it will not idle at a stop. Its definitely sounding like its not getting gas.
I have replaced the fuel filter, my next step was to put in a new fuel line assembly. I was hoping to keep from messing with the carburetor.
My boat is an '87 bass tracker/'89 mercury 150 hp.

Any help would be appreciated, Thanks!

[RVogler]

Moose, would that be the same if he had water in the fuel? Would the sea foam make the gas good again...Let's say on 5 gallons of fuel? I have the same problem after the weekend and I think I may have gotten some moisture in the tank. I'd hate to waste the liquid gold if it's salvageable.

Thanks!

[Fisherjoe]

Had the same problem on an older motor (mid 80's) and the fuel line was cracked where it routed under the carb. Pull your cover off and look/smell for leaking gas. Good luck.

Joe

[billm_usa1]

Since that thing has 3 carburators, I doubt that all three have pluged up at the same time.

Check the Fuel Filter then the fuel hose and bulb. These can deteriorate quickly and collapse inside the hose.

When it dies is the Bulb collapsed ?

Otherwise I'd look at the electrical. I'm not sure if that motor has a safe mode where it'll limit itself to 3000 rpm and 3 cylinders if it sences something wrong.

Three parts to the electrical .. PowerPack, Stator and trigger. Also if a magnet has come out of the flywheel.

Goodluck.

[Moose1am]

Water is a polar substance meaning that there is a charge on the molecule. Polar Substances will dissolve polar substances but not NON-polar substances.

Not sure but I think that Naptha may be non polar.

I think that alcohol is a polar substance and may combine with the water in a gas tank.

I think that some fuel stabalizers contain alcohol to help rid the gas tank of water and allow the engine to burn the water when it's combined with the alcohol.

I use Stabil in my gas tanks to help with keeping the gas longer. Expecially during the long winter months.

But someone else may know more about this than me.

Moose, would that be the same if he had water in the fuel? Would the sea foam make the gas good again...Let's say on 5 gallons of fuel? I have the same problem after the weekend and I think I may have gotten some moisture in the tank. I'd hate to waste the liquid gold if it's salvageable.

Thanks!

[Hoover28]

Try using some sea foam in the gas tank first before you try anything else. It can only help and won't hurt the boat engine any.

If you have any gummy fuel in the carburetor the sea foam will dissolve it hopefully. Sea Foam can be found at most auto parts stores. It costs about $6.00 a can. A can will treat about 12 gallons of gas.

You can also buy Sea Foam in a spray can and use that to spray down the throat of the carburetor.

The engine will smoke for a few minutes and then eventually it will become smoke free as all the unburned carbon is eliminated from the engine.

You also may have a brownish oily substance that comes out of the exhaust of the prop but that's nothing to worry about. Just put something under the prop to keep the floor clean until it stops. This is just the oily residue of the dissolved carbon coming out of the engine's long exhaust port.

If sea foam does not solve the problem then you can have the carburetor rebuilt if that's the problem.

Try the Sea foam first. Sea Foam is mostly NAPTHA which is a very light distillate.

I have heard of the sea foam, this could very well be the problem. I will try this next, can't hurt. Thanks Alot!

[Hoover28]

Since that thing has 3 carburators, I doubt that all three have pluged up at the same time.

Check the Fuel Filter then the fuel hose and bulb. These can deteriorate quickly and collapse inside the hose.

When it dies is the Bulb collapsed ?

Otherwise I'd look at the electrical. I'm not sure if that motor has a safe mode where it'll limit itself to 3000 rpm and 3 cylinders if it sences something wrong.

Three parts to the electrical .. PowerPack, Stator and trigger. Also if a magnet has come out of the flywheel.

Goodluck.

Thanks, good input. Im going to replace the fuel line next, and try the sea foam. The bulb stays tight after stall out, so its not that. Im hoping its something minor, and not electrical. It could be the power pack..

[billm_usa1]

Here is link for mercury parts express It's getting some maintainance done but you might be able to find a parts list thru google.

http://www.mercurypartsexpress.com/us/

Once you have the list or part numbers go to a Ebay

Here is an aftermarket power pack for $115

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/_Boat-Parts-Accessories-Gear__MERCURY-MARINER-SWITCH-BOX-POWER-PACK-OUTBOARD-3-6-CYL_W0QQitemZ150268236697QQadnZBoatQ20PartsQ2cQ20A ccessoriesQ20Q26Q20GearQQadiZ2823QQcmdZViewItem?ha sh=item150268236697&_trksid=p3756.m14.l1318

[YAZ]

I would say that it is air in your fuel. I have an old Merc, and I think it will run on straight motor oil. But, let one little crack in the fuel line going to the pump and it won't run at all. If the leak is before the fuel pump, it can be tough to find because its sucking air. If it is between the pump and carbs, it'll be spraying fuel all over everything, but the motor should still run at WOT. Take a short piece of fuel line, and put your fitting on it. Stick your fuel line in a gallon of mixed fuel and see if it runs. That will at least tell you that it is indeed an air leak. Bulbs can also go bad.

Yaz

[Hoover28]

All of you have been a great help, thanks for your advice. Im going rip out my old fuel line assembly and put in new, as well as trying the sea foam. If thats not it, I will start to investigate the electrical. Hope to keep it out of the shop. Not about to pay $100 a day to have it in the shop.
Thanks for all the tips!