1973 Mercury 850 stalling

[sweberhart]

We recently purchased a boat with a 1973 85hp Mercury outboard. We took it out for the first time a few days ago and had a problem with the motor stalling. It ran well for awhile and then started stalling when putting it into gear. It would also stall when slowing the boat down to an idle after towing a water tube. Did not have a problem starting the motor after the stall. Any ideas?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1973 Mercury 850 stalling

Sure, it sounds like dirty carbs. Check the wiring harness on the motor. If original, it is likely bad. Replace it if the insulation is falling off. Clean the carbs and install new gaskets, inlet needle and seat and float.

 

[sweberhart]

Re: 1973 Mercury 850 stalling

Sure, it sounds like dirty carbs. Check the wiring harness on the motor. If original, it is likely bad. Replace it if the insulation is falling off. Clean the carbs and install new gaskets, inlet needle and seat and float.

We talked to a mechanic down at the local boat shop and he suggested that it was probably the labrinyth seals in the reed blocks that are going bad. He also suggested it could be the carbs. He suggested that we get a can of quick clean and mix it with the gas to see if it makes a difference. If it is the labrinyth seals then it would not be worth fixing. How big of a deal is the new gaskets, inlet needle, seat, and float?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 1973 Mercury 850 stalling

Probably cost about $20 per carb for the gaskets, needles and seats and floats.....