Mark Nagel
Cadet
- Joined
- Jun 8, 2009
- Messages
- 6
Background:
OK, for a background for future searchers. I have a 83' Mariner that was stored for a few years. When I took it out of storage it started and idled fine, reved up with no load, but in the water under load it would almost die, not getting the boat past 5 mph.
What I did:
I drained and replaced the gas and fuel lines ($40).
Checked the spark plugs
Bought a service manual ($40)
Checked the compression
Rebuilt the Carbs ($70 kits)
Checked the Baffle plate and water jacket and replaced the gaskets ($25)
Replaced the stator and rectifier ($220)
Tested all the electronics I could
Still no luck
What fixed it
On my year and a few others, there is a idle stabilizer (mounted to the front plate in front of the carbs. It has 3 wires, ground, red/white and black/white. They hook into the lower switch box (Bias that connects the two switch boxes and the red from the stator). It advances the timing at idle when the motor loads up. Apparently it was scrapped due to issues and the motor doesn't need it to run, but if its faulty it wreaks havoc on your timing. The test is simple, disconnect it. If it solves the problem leave it disconnected. Its $170 and the dealer who would sell me the part told me not to waste my money, its not needed.
The boat runs like it did when it was new. The carbs and gaskets were cheap and probably needed anyway, but I wish I knew this simple test before I bought the stator and rectifier. I hope this helps someone in the future.
Mark
OK, for a background for future searchers. I have a 83' Mariner that was stored for a few years. When I took it out of storage it started and idled fine, reved up with no load, but in the water under load it would almost die, not getting the boat past 5 mph.
What I did:
I drained and replaced the gas and fuel lines ($40).
Checked the spark plugs
Bought a service manual ($40)
Checked the compression
Rebuilt the Carbs ($70 kits)
Checked the Baffle plate and water jacket and replaced the gaskets ($25)
Replaced the stator and rectifier ($220)
Tested all the electronics I could
Still no luck
What fixed it
On my year and a few others, there is a idle stabilizer (mounted to the front plate in front of the carbs. It has 3 wires, ground, red/white and black/white. They hook into the lower switch box (Bias that connects the two switch boxes and the red from the stator). It advances the timing at idle when the motor loads up. Apparently it was scrapped due to issues and the motor doesn't need it to run, but if its faulty it wreaks havoc on your timing. The test is simple, disconnect it. If it solves the problem leave it disconnected. Its $170 and the dealer who would sell me the part told me not to waste my money, its not needed.
The boat runs like it did when it was new. The carbs and gaskets were cheap and probably needed anyway, but I wish I knew this simple test before I bought the stator and rectifier. I hope this helps someone in the future.
Mark