[p3chase]

About a year ago I picked up a 2003 20 2-stroke Mercury outboard motor for my fishing boat. It has been very reliable (although I had the carb rebuilt about 5 months ago), but had an interesting problem come up. I took it out on the lake last week, started up fine, running at OT on the lake, and then out of no where, cuts out. tried to start it up, and here's what state it is in now:

You can get it to start, will run in gear, BUT only at just the lowest point, when it gets into gear. Anything above that point and it STALLS. Got new plugs for it, cleaned the filter, still runs like this. Any thoughts!? My local shop said it must be something with the carb, but I just had it rebuilt!

Thanks for looking, any advice would be greatly appreciated!!!!!

THANKS

[hamit59]

Hi,
Well you need to start with a compression test.
Then move to the spark test. If you find out if you have good spark.
You should go to the fuel system starting at the tank make sure everything is clean and there is no restrictions in the fuel line or primer bulb and the disconnect. Then you need to check your fuel pump.or rebuild it parts are cheep
Last but not least the carb cleaning and rebuild.
I don't know how long the motor has sat unused, Hot weather will
evaporate the gas left in the carb bowl and leave a goo at the bottom of the carb.
I always run my motor until it stops to help with that high speed jets are at the bottom of the carb. Some on here will say you don't need fuel treatment,
I use it on every tank full, it works for me.


I hope you will let us know what you find

Hamit
BT1 USN ret