ignition probelems with 115 mercury outboard

[joe tint]

I have a 2000 Mercury 115hp outboard motor that I haven't used in about a year and a half. I recently took it out to the lake and it cranked up with no problem. It will idle fine but when I put it in drive it will not go any faster than about 15 mph and thats with the throttle wide open. I put it in reverse and it seems to run fine even at full throttle. I did replace the spark plugs and I noticed that after a while of just trying to get the motor to open up I decided to take out the spark plugs and check them. 1 and 2 plugs were black and a little wet and the 3 and 4 plugs you could tell they were firing but they weren't black or wet. So, I think that maybe 1 & 2 aren't getting any spark and I need to replace the coil for 1 and the coil for 2. Please help me cuz I don't want to get torched by the dealer. [LIST]

[rodbolt]

hello if 1 and 2 were not fireing the motor would not idle I would open upthe carbs but only after a spark and compression test. I believe that motor still used the 2+2 set upon the carbs. it idles on two and runs on 4 they do this by changing the idle passages for the bottom two carbs. but test the compression and spark first. if all check out make sure the timer base is actally moving. its the little link connected at the top of the throttle arm. if its moving and you have spark and compression open up the carbs. the gasket kits are about 8 dollars each and the fuel pump kit is about 20. do it all do it once and go play

[joe tint]

Thanks for replying to my problem Rodbolt. I'll check out the compression and the spark first. I do know that the timer base is moving with the throttle. I kind of had a feeling that it might be the carbs but was not for sure. Now that you mention it thats probably my problem. I thank you very much and I'll get back to you and let you know how it went. I'll check spark and compression this weekend and then if all is ok. I'll do the carbs. thanks again.

[bcfryer]

sounds like the high speed jets are stopped up.