1981 50 HP 3 cylinder Mercury

[Bassn7]

On the water Sunday my boat won’t go over 5 mph. Upon inspection this piece was laying under the motor. What is this? What happened? Help.

 

[racerone]

Part of the choke ???

 

[jimmbo]

In 1981, the 50hp was a 4 Cylinder.

First Questions.
How long have you owned this Motor?
Was it running Fine Prior to the 5 Mph?
What are the Numbers from a Compression Test?
Can it make a Spark Strong enough to Jump a 3/8" Gap, on all Cylinders?
Is Fuel getting to all the Carbs?
Are the Carbs Clean, Internally?
Is the Spark Advancing Correctly, and are the Carbs properly Synced to Each Other, and with the Timing Advance?

 

[racerone]

Post a picture of this motor.---Was the piece on the ground ?----Inside the cowling?-----How did this motor run for you last season ?

 

[Bassn7]

Ran fine. The part was inside the cowling on the bottom laying under the carbs.

 

[jimmbo]

Any Wires/Connectors on it?

A Serial/Model # would come very handy for looking up the Engine Info

 

[racerone]

I would say it is a choke plunger.----Be easy if I could see this motor.----But then again maybe your neighbor put that part in there for fun.----Post a picture with tape measure beside it so dimensions become clear.----Pictures more pictures.-----

 

[jimmbo]

I would say it is a choke plunger.----Be easy if I could see this motor.----But then again maybe your neighbor put that part in there for fun.----Post a picture with tape measure beside it so dimensions become clear.----Pictures more pictures.-----

Quite Possible #6

 

[Bassn7]

YES! It was the choke plunger! Thank you so much.

 

[tphoyt]

I would say it is a choke plunger.----Be easy if I could see this motor.----But then again maybe your neighbor put that part in there for fun.----Post a picture with tape measure beside it so dimensions become clear.----Pictures more pictures.-----

Funny you should say that.
My buddy used to give me a hard time for storing all my parts in zip lock bags. He once put a few extra bolts in the bags to mess with my head and it worked.