Help with 1988 40hp mariner

[bigk]

I took the boat out with the motor I just purchased for the first time today. I ran it for about one hour and everything was great. All of a sudden the motor bogged down and I slowed to an idle speed. It would stay running at idle but if I tried to give it more gas it would just sputter and not increase speed. I put it in neutral and reved up the motor and it was fine but would only sputter along when it was in gear. Is this a fuel problem? If so where should I start?

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Help with 1988 40hp mariner

sounds like fuel
dis the primer bulb go flat?

i would ask old owner if he has rebuilt the carb?

 

[bigk]

Re: Help with 1988 40hp mariner

sounds like fuel
dis the primer bulb go flat?

i would ask old owner if he has rebuilt the carb?

The bulb did stay hard. I don't have any contact iformation for the previous owner. I bought it from a third party.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Help with 1988 40hp mariner

good, that means ur vent line and fuel lines are good
next is look at the carbs

 

[bigk]

Re: Help with 1988 40hp mariner

How do I know if the carbs just need to be cleaned or rebuilt. Like I said, it was running great and all of a sudden it would only idle. How do I go about cleaning the carbs?

Thanks for your help.

 

[JUSTINTIME]

Re: Help with 1988 40hp mariner

u could have sucked something into the carbs from the tank