jonInMaine
Recruit
- Joined
- May 30, 2017
- Messages
- 1
I don't have much experience with outboards but have worked on a tractor engine ('49 Ford 8N) so I am somewhat familiar with classic carbureted coil/points ignition engines, before electronics and computers came along and messed everything up.
I recently bought a used boat that came with said motor. Runs for 5-10 min then dies as though it is out of fuel. Won't start right away but if I wait a few minutes it starts then runs 5 - 10 min then dies etc etc.
I first wondered if it could be the gas tank cap not venting but taking the cap off when it stars to die didn't do anything. So I ruled that out.
After the engine quit I tried spraying some starting fluid in to the carb which caused it to kick over but not actually start. I also pulled the plug and verified I was getting a spark. So I have ruled out the ignition system for the time being.
That leaves the fuel system. There does seem to be gas flowing to the carb. I went ahead and ordered a new fuel filter since it is relatively inexpensive and quick to replace. I suppose if it's not that then it's probably the carb. I am somewhat hesitant about doing a carb rebuild especially since parts for this motor (vintage 1980-81) are hard to come by. Would it be worth just trying something like seafoam to see if that would clean things out a bit? Or perhaps just taking the carb off and soaking it in cleaner? I also ordered a shop manual for the merc outboards which hopefully will have instructions on carb rebuild should I need to go that route.
Any other suggestions would be welcome.
Jon
I recently bought a used boat that came with said motor. Runs for 5-10 min then dies as though it is out of fuel. Won't start right away but if I wait a few minutes it starts then runs 5 - 10 min then dies etc etc.
I first wondered if it could be the gas tank cap not venting but taking the cap off when it stars to die didn't do anything. So I ruled that out.
After the engine quit I tried spraying some starting fluid in to the carb which caused it to kick over but not actually start. I also pulled the plug and verified I was getting a spark. So I have ruled out the ignition system for the time being.
That leaves the fuel system. There does seem to be gas flowing to the carb. I went ahead and ordered a new fuel filter since it is relatively inexpensive and quick to replace. I suppose if it's not that then it's probably the carb. I am somewhat hesitant about doing a carb rebuild especially since parts for this motor (vintage 1980-81) are hard to come by. Would it be worth just trying something like seafoam to see if that would clean things out a bit? Or perhaps just taking the carb off and soaking it in cleaner? I also ordered a shop manual for the merc outboards which hopefully will have instructions on carb rebuild should I need to go that route.
Any other suggestions would be welcome.
Jon
