I have a 1987 90HP, 3 cylinder, Mariner outboard. When I start it cold, it is hard to start and it will idle after several tries but it runs on one (1) cylinder for a while but it doesn't have enough juice to push the boat and it dies as soon as I put it in gear.So, I drop the electric trolling motor and fish for a while. Maybe 20 minutes right around the ramp.I then start it up again and it runs on 2 cylinders and gets me to the other side of the lake (about a mile) and I fish there for another 20-45 minutes.I then start it up and it idles and runs fine and I can go 35-40 MPH for the rest of the day.WEIRD! you say. That's what I say, too.I've replaced the spark plugs, wires, battery, starter. I've messed with the slow speed and idle adjustments and the timing settings to no avail. It has fresh gas and correct type oil.Any ideas why this thing treats me this way?Frednick1
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Fred's First Rule: There is no amount of money that's too much for a guy to spend on his hobbies.
Fred's Second Rule: If the toilet runs over and it's not your house, it's not your problem.
Fred's Third Rule: There is no speed at which you can drive that the jerk behind you will not pass.
Sounds like a cold failure in your ignition system, Fredrick.Something doesn't work cold, but as it gets warmed up it begins to work.Take the bonnet off and put a hair dryer (NOT a heat gun) on the ignition system, part by part.My guess is that when you warm (or dry?) the offending part the engine will start to run well.Replace the "works when warm only" part.Good luck.
JB,Makes sense. I'll try to find a hair dryer that runs on 12VDC and take it with us on the next fishing trip.TNX. But beware. I know where you guys are now and I'll be back with more questions.Frednick1
__________________
Fred's First Rule: There is no amount of money that's too much for a guy to spend on his hobbies.
Fred's Second Rule: If the toilet runs over and it's not your house, it's not your problem.
Fred's Third Rule: There is no speed at which you can drive that the jerk behind you will not pass.
1987 Mariner 3 Cyl. 90HP Starting Problems
Linear Mode
