[lostcountryboy]

Hi Guys... I have a Mercury Kiekhaefer kf5 that hasn't been running for a while...
How do I remove the fly wheel and check the points? Thanks! Shawn R.

[Laddies]

There used to be tool to remove the ratchet but a good pair of channel locks and a strap wrench will work to remove it remember it's left hand threads and a harmonic balancer puller should work for a puller

[tmcalavy]

Pull the gas line, tank and lower cowls. Block the prop or pull the plugs and feed some rope into one of the cylinders. Use a large vise grip to loosen the flywheel retaining nut, it's oddly shaped on some of those old mercs and doubles as the recoil mechanism engager (not the right term). Use a harmonic balancer puller from any auto parts store to pull the flywheel. Check coils, points, condensors and clean all the connections. If the coils are cracked, you should replace them. Reassemble, clean the fuel line, carb, check the LU lube, and see if it will run in a barrel...make sure the barrel/tub is almost full. If you're real lucky it'll fire off, run and you'll get water out of the holes on the back of the leg. No water there means impeller/water pump problem...then you get to wrassle with changing the pump/impeller. Keep your fingers crossed. Post back and let us know how it goes.

[lostcountryboy]

Thank you so much for the advice... I have welded a mount to my welding table at work to hold the thing in the air. Is there a reason it should be submerged in water just to see if it'll run? Like back pressure on the prop or something? I realize it should be in water to keep it cool enough. Now when I pull it. sometimes I get it to fire and pop but not run. I really am not sure if my carburetor adjustments are correct either but I wanted to check the points as someone else has suggested before. Thanks! I'll be sure to keep you guys updated. Shawn R.

[tmcalavy]

Has to be enough water in the barrel/tub to cover the water pump inlets, plus when you get it running it will sling a lot of water out. If you run it dry you'll fry the impeller, if it still has one.