Newbie on the board...two questions

[crow]

Hey, my first post!

I have a 1996 Mariner 60 hp on a 21 ft. pontoon/fishing. For the most part it runs fine but I have begun having a couple of issues.

At high speed, the motor will occasionally lose power and increase dramatically in rpm's. When I reduce the throttle a bit, it catches and will run full speed for long periods sometimes. I suspect a spun propeller.

The other problem, and one I'm less sure of...At cruising speed,2000rpm's +, the motor will bog down and begin what feels like a dead miss in the motor. When I reduce throttle, it almost immediately picks up and may run for long distances with no occurrence or it may do in the next 30 seconds. At other times, at low or high rpm's, it doesn't bog, but it misses badly. I have bought some carb cleaner to run through the gas tank (20 gal.) and some to spray in the carb throats.

Am I on the right track? I would guess it would be better to go ahead and pull the prop and take it in as soon as I can. Is the next step to do a carb rebuild if the cleaners don't work . And, can a mechanical moron like me do the rebuild? The boat is in the water and it would have to stay there as I don't have a trailer.

Thanks.

crow

 

[mrn714]

Re: Newbie on the board...two questions

Spun prop is a possibiliy. The second sounds like a filthy carb. Suggest cleaning with ether, and yes any moron can rebuild carbs, the questions is will they work after the moron put them back on upsidedown?

 

[hoss62773]

Re: Newbie on the board...two questions

he's right, i'm a complete mechanical moron, and i did both carbs on a "66 merc 650. between the instructions in the carb kit and the manual, piece of cake. remember, no matter how good your needle and seat look, PUT THE NEW ONES IN!!!!!!

if you put em in upside down, you're on your own >o

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: Newbie on the board...two questions

Spun prop sounds like the culprit on issue one.

Issue two, could be dirty carbs, could be a fuel delivery issue, try pumping the bulb when you experience the drop in performance, if the motor picks back up you could have a fuel pump on the fritz.