[rick wiles]

hi people i recently bought a 1983 galaxie ski boat with a 115 merc outboard well heres the story guys we took the boat out the day we purchased it and it seemed great runned great until after about a half hour of full speed it suddenly bogged down and died it goes at a low speed but as soon as you step on it it boggs and dies i took it to a shop and the lady diagnosed the problem as the ignition boxes i replaced them both and still the problem wtf!!! i called her and she said it could be the diaphram in the fuel pump i took it out and it was stretched a lil bit the boat lady said it could be the diaphram streched it is a lil bit but it runs GREAT! outta water with the ears to dry run it sounds like a dragster no joke but as soon as we put it in the water and go it does the same thing all cylinders are fireing and EXCELLENT compression 130 psi better than a new motor if you have had a similar problem and found the solution PLEASE REPLY TO THIS !!!!

[olemerc115]

I just bought a bass boat with an 81 115 Merc that does the same thing I checked my compression and its good too, I I am not sure where to atrt either, it seems like this is a common problem with this engine as I have seen multiple posts about this concern on this engine, I searched with the search button but I havebnt found any answrs yet, you woyuld think this could be fixed easy as al;ot of 115 owners have the same problem, let me know if you fix it, thanks

[honestcharlie56]

well if compression is all within 10 lbs, you have one of the basic three(compression, spark, and fuel). so that leaves either spark or fuel, since you know you have spark, its either your carbs need rebuilding, the fuel filter is clogged, or possible you spark is not getting advanced with the throttle. hope this helps

[Northporter]

I've got the exact same symptoms, ran fast for about 10 minutes, idled for a while, then bogged out when I tried to put the throttle back down.

Checked the usual suspects, new gas, fuel filters and pump OK. Excellent compression & spark, but upon closer inspection, #2 is totally dry, no fuel at all.

My mechanic thinks the reed block/valves might be stuck or broken. But hopefully not, since the only way to get at them is to crack the baby open.

[pny212]

I have an 88 merc 150 and had this problem, had the carbs done by a mechanic that didn't do it correctly, so he told me there was alot more to do so I changed the switch boxes and fuel pump as the general deal to do, what I found by having the carbs done again costing $500.00 to have the first bad job corrected and now the boat has run like new, one other thing as my new mechanic told me that I was sucking air between the carbs and block so check that first if running to spray carb cleaner around and see if you get a surge

good luck as this was mind boggling and expensive for me $260 switchboxes, $60.00 fuel pump, and $800.00 to have the carbs done twice
but now I love it and have faith to run it all day any ware