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  1. hkeiner

    Testing bleed line check valves located at bearings

    I tested the six bleed line check valves that push oil towards the cylinders and found them to be OK. I used a short piece of hose and a syringe to test for one-way flow. I did this test to see if they might be a cause for poor idle or excess smoking during idle. Apparently not. These check...
  2. hkeiner

    Removing Idle Stabilizer and new timing specs

    My motor seems to run fine with the Idle Stabilizer module still installed. However, I have read several recent posts about the wisdom of removing this module to avoid potential problems from a module failure, such as mentioned in this link: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=417952 I...
  3. hkeiner

    Procedure for testing bleed line check valves

    My shop manual contains a page describing the way to test the bleed line check valves with the motor at idle on the water (see pic below). Basically I want to make sure that the check valves are not stuck open or stuck closed. Doing this test with the motor in the water is not nearly as...
  4. hkeiner

    How important is gasket between airbox and carb

    OK, the airbox is really called a SOUND ATTENUATOR PLATE by Mercury but I go by the simple name of airbox. See picture below. Anyways, I took the airbox off a few days ago and found that one of the gaskets between the airbox and the carbs was torn. About 1/4 of the gasket on one carb barrel was...
  5. hkeiner

    Is smell of lower unit oil normal?

    While winterizing my 150hp outboard for the winter, I noticed that the old oil I drained from the lower unit had a somewhat strong unpleasant smell. It was kind of like the smell of an open sewer or septic tank. Is this normal? Can this be caused by water leaking into the lower unit oil, mixing...
  6. hkeiner

    Is Is a Sierra brand water/fuel separating filter OK?

    Is there any reason to not use a Sierra brand water/fuel separating filter, over a Mercury brand filter, from a quality point of view. I would not want to foolishly "go cheap" if the Sierra's have a bad reputation and I just don't know about it. The Sierra part number is 18-7844. Thanks in...
  7. hkeiner

    Temperature Drop at WOT on 150HP V6

    I recently installed a temp guage on my boat. I connected the existing temp sender (which was already installed on the motor) to a new Faria gauge that displays a range of 100-250 degrees. After running the motor a few times, I noticed that the Faria gauge displays approximately 150 degrees at...
  8. hkeiner

    Risk of pulling single spark plug wire with motor running

    I have read about one troubleshooting test where you pull the spark plug wire (one at a time) from the spark plug while the engine is running and monitor what happens. If the motor idle speed drops uniformly for each spark plug wire pulled (cylinder), then that is a good thing. If the idle does...
  9. hkeiner

    How do you test bleed system check valves?

    How do you practically determine whether the bleed system check valves are functioning properly on a carbed motor? I generally understand that a plugged bleed system check valve can cause poor running conditions and/or starve an internal bearing of needed lubrication. My Mercury shop manual's...
  10. hkeiner

    Is it OK to use Quicksilver 2-4-C grease on wheel bearings?

    Is Quicksilver 2-4-C grease a good choice to use on boat trailer wheel bearings? I ask this question because when I went to my local Mercury boat shop to buy a few extra 3oz tubes of Quicksilver 2-4-C grease for packing my bearings, the guy at the shop highly recommended that I use a...
  11. hkeiner

    Is it OK to use bearing packer to avoid using solvent to clean bearings?

    I want to repack the the wheel bearings on my boat trailer. I have not done this before so I did a little research on this. All of the instructions I have read recommend that the bearings be completely cleaned in solvent before pressing the new grease into the bearings by hand. I have not found...
  12. hkeiner

    Exhaust leak near anode on lower unit? (150HP V6)

    While running my motor on the hose, I see that water and exhaust gases are blowing out near the anodes on the lower unit. My shop manual seems to indicate that it is normal for water to exit at this location (see quote from manual below), however it does not mention that exhaust should also be...
  13. hkeiner

    What is best bimini brand for ordering on-line?

    I am planning to purchase a bimini for my boat. The size I need is 30" high (from deck hinge mount to cover) , 5' long (from front to back), and 87" wide (distance between deck hinges). I want 7/8" aluminum tubing, stainless steel fittings, and Subrella fabric. I considered getting a custom made...
  14. hkeiner

    Water pressure gauge line on a 1996 Merc 150

    I was just planning to buy and install a water pressure gauge kit for my motor. I have read that it is generally recommended to tap the line into the water hose at the top of the motor, just behind the flywheel. However, as I was reading my Mercury OEM shop manual to get more information, I...
  15. hkeiner

    Replacing Thermal Air Valve

    I want to replace the Thermal Air Valve on my motor. This valve closes (shuts off) some of the air flowing to the idle circuit when the motor is cold (resulting in a richer fuel/air mixture) and then opens when the motor warms up. The valve is screwed into the starboard cylinder head and an air...
  16. hkeiner

    Should throttle cable be disconnected during idle speed adjustment?

    Does the throttle cable need to be disconnected from the throttle lever while the idle speed timing adjustment is performed? Is there a different result if the throttle cable is connected or not? I am trying to do the link and sync on my motor for the first time and I am trying to follow the...
  17. hkeiner

    How do you "Remove throttle cable barrel from barrel retainer?"

    I am trying to do the link and sync on my motor for the first time. I am stuck on the part where the manual says to "Remove the throttle cable barrel from the barrel retainer." I do not know where the throttle cable barrel and the barrel retainer are, nor do I know how to remove the throttle...
  18. hkeiner

    Loose stud holding carb to motor

    While removing one of the carbs on my motor for cleaning, the stud holding the carb to the motor screwed out from the body of the motor rather than the nut coming off the stud. I later got the nut off the stud by holding the stud (in the middle where there are no threads) with a vise grip. I...
  19. hkeiner

    Is it OK to install a wakeboard tower on an outboard boat?

    I am considering installing a wakeboard tower on my outboard boat (a 1996 Maxum 1900XR with a 150HP Merc. outboard motor). I want the tower primarily for storage (to hold kneeboards, wakeboards, skis, etc.) but would use it for pulling wakeboarders too. I already have a ski pylon near the motor...
  20. hkeiner

    Soaking carb without removing throttle plates?

    The Mercury shop manual (see attached) says "place carburator body, fuel bowl, and metal parts in carburator cleaning solution..." I don't know if I should try removing the throttle plates and throttle shaft from the carb body before soaking or leave them installed on the carbs for soaking. I...
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