[asugil]

Hi all,

I am new to the forum and also to boats. I recently acquired a boat with a 50HP MAriner on it (I beileve the engine is mid 80's) The engine starts and idles great. However, as I throttle up there is the occasional sputter accompanied by a puff of white smoke (it comes out the front and rear or the motor). The plugs look to have some carbon on them (I am not sure how much is alot) and I was wondering (hoping) if this symptom could be a simple as a bad plug? Does this sound like a costly/major repair?

Any feedback is much appreciated!

[Silvertip]

The simple solution if you feel the problem is a bad plug is to change them. They aren't expensive and it appears they should be changed whether they are the problem or not. Generally, smoke from the front and back of an engine is not normal and with little or no information to go on, it's hard to tell what the problem is. Remove the engine cover and run the boat until the problem occurs. Then note where the smoke is coming from. But here are some suggestions. 1) change plugs, 2) use fresh fuel if the boat has been sitting for awhile 3) run a compression check to verify general engine condition or to check for a blown headgasket. 4) if carbs haven't been rebuilt in the last few years (or ever) do it. 5) perform link & sync (you need a service manual) 6) Check engine base gasket. None of these repairs are overly expensive if you do them yourself. They are also relatively simple -- IF you have a service manual specific to your engine.

[asugil]

Thanks...I figured it would probably take a little more investigation