1985 80HP mariner - missing?

NateWI

Cadet
Joined
Aug 2, 2009
Messages
13
I have the above motor - relatively new to me (purchased used last year with used boat). My current issue is the motor seems to be missing or I have an adjustment to make (this is probably obvious). The motor generally starts ok (3rd or 4th try) with choke and I usually have to run it above idle for a little bit to warm up or it will die. Once warm it seems to idle fine (though at times the idle seems fast in neutral but once in gear it's fine).

The issue is that it seems a bit rough in the low RPMs in general. I wasn't sure what to make of it and thought maybe this motor just runs a bit rough in the lower RPM's (I've never had a motor this big). Once I hit it, it takes off great and pulls right out of the hole and runs smooth with plenty of power. But this weekend was a bit windy and I needed more than just idle to toodle around, a bit more pep around 1/3rd throttle. What I found is that the motor appears to not run on all cylinders at low speed/idle but does at WOT. While I was trying to hold it at about 1/3 throttle there was a fine line where the motor would waffle between a bit rough but consistent (slow speed) and very smooth with a kick of power.

As the motor would kick in with the additional power the boat would lunge forward in response and I'd have to back off the throtte. It's almost as if it's running on 2 cylinders at low RPM and all 4 at higher RPM but the transition, when done slowly, is not smooth. It's very clear when they all hit.

Does this sound like a cylinder thing, a carb thing or something else? I tried adjusting the carbs last year with new plugs. The sticky on "how to adjust carbs" is almost identical to my engine manual and I thought I did it right but maybe I didn't. I'll admit I found it hard to adjust two carbs at once...or how to identify if the carb I'm working on is responsible for the lugging/overloading "sound" or if it's the one I'm not messing with...and vice versa. I did the adjustment in the lake so the motor was under load as suggested.

Any thoughts? It's new gas with proper oil ratio.

Thanks!
 

NateWI

Cadet
Joined
Aug 2, 2009
Messages
13
Re: 1985 80HP mariner - missing?

Ok, so not a single hit. What causes an engine to feel like it hits, in and out repectively, of all cylinders? The delineation is quite clear on the water. One minute we're puttering alone, the next second it wants to hit and take off. It's almost a whip-lash like feeling when it happens. Any thoughts? please?
 

NateWI

Cadet
Joined
Aug 2, 2009
Messages
13
Re: 1985 80HP mariner - missing?

Ok come on peoplz. If the solutiong is too simple, then just post it. If not, then any speculation? there is lots of activity on this board yet I've heard nothing. Just looking for a little bit of help. Thank you in advance!
 

btcox123

Cadet
Joined
Jan 10, 2009
Messages
23
Re: 1985 80HP mariner - missing?

I am having nearly the same issue, starts, idles great, sometimes when going from idle speed to WOT it lags for 10- 45 secs then suddenly takes off with plenty of power, other times it takes off as soon as I hit the throttle. Problem is it may run WOT for 10 mins,or 30 secs, I drop back to idle wait a min or two and punch it, and go another min or two. What I gather from all the post I read its probably a fuel issue. I have built the fuel pump twice now both times OEM parts, (original check valves had plastic and rubber disk) kits only come with plastic disk now, it would not build good pressure so I made this rubber disk from one of the diaphragms I had. I do not think that is MY problem. I say this because when it does its thing we pump the bulb and its firm, no changes are noticed. I cleaned the carbs real good, put all new filters, hoses and clamps on it. I set the floats to spec, they were a little out, no changes. I feel my problem may be a needle sticking in its seat and the float not functioning properly that is why its so all over the place. after that I will replace the reeds.
Sorry for the long post, but maybe it will help you some, and maybe someone can help me too.
1990 90hp oil injected 3 cyl merc 142psi, 130psi, 130psi compression cyls 1,2,3
 

NateWI

Cadet
Joined
Aug 2, 2009
Messages
13
Re: 1985 80HP mariner - missing?

Thanks for the reply and ideas. I would agree that your issue sounds a bit different than mine. I don?t experience the ?lag? you?re describing. If I want to hit WOT and run, it will do it without issue and feels like it could run WOT all day without issue?nice and smooth. There just seems to be a transition when accelerating from 1/3 throttle to ? - or WOT. If I?m pulling out at average to fast speed (like pulling a skier) the transition will occur with just a slight blip. If I?m pulling out more slowly (like pulling a new tuber), that?s when I really feel it hiccup and catch.

My fuel lines seem clean, filter is clean, plugs have less than 20 hours on them. I have not worked on the carbs yet, but guess I?ll probably need to. I?m also going to mess with the idle adjustments as well. I?m wondering if I have one of the carbs slightly out of tune.

Other thoughts are still welcome!

Thx
 

borderboat

Cadet
Joined
May 16, 2010
Messages
17
Re: 1985 80HP mariner - missing?

I just took my 1993 Mariner 115 out this weekend for the first time, and mine is doing exactly what you are experiencing. At first start up, it doesn't want to idle, then once its warmed up I took it out for a blast. Low end throttle was weak/missing unless I punched it then it would take off and run like a champ. I will let you know if I find a solution. I pulled the plugs last night & found that the top & bottom plug looked good (nice tan color) but the middle two where a little oily, so I am thinking it might be a weak spark on those two cylinders. Let me know if you find a solution as well!
 
Top