1999 mercury 90 HP 2 stroke quit on the water!

sms986

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 18, 2017
Messages
334
So yeah, I'm 2 miles from the ramp in the dark right now running 2mph with a trolling motor. The motor just quit. I had it running for about 20 minutes in low-near idle rpm going out of the river and onto the lake when we got done fishing. I was cruising at 1/2 throttle for about a minute then it bogged down and died. Every time I try to start it, it'll run for a few seconds then quit. If I try to start it up again it won't go. The primer bulb is fairly tight after it dies, but if I squeeze it a few times it'll start again, then bog down and die within 2 seconds. I took the cover off and did some inspecting. There is a clear, about 3/4" diameter, 2" long filter between the fuel pump and the carbs. It is leaking-at a drip. Is this a filter or a fuel-water separator? If it's the latter, I'll know what's going on because I suspect I got some water in the fuel backing it down the steep ramp thos afternoon through the vent line.
 

roscoe

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Oct 30, 2002
Messages
21,739
THATS A SEDIMENT FILTER.

A WATER separating filter is the size of a car oil filter.
 

sms986

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 18, 2017
Messages
334
Going to fool with it a bit more today. Checked my fuel pump last night-its pumping. Got a sample of gas and it's about 10:1 gas to water so I'm going to drain the tank first thing then see what I can figure out
 

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
14,669
Time for new fuel lines and a new filter you described. Cut it open and tell us what you find in it. Fuel lines both internal and engine to tank need to be replaced if you find tan chips in the filter or black specks. Then follow up with what others mentioned.
 

sms986

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Sep 18, 2017
Messages
334
Drained the fuel tank, dried it out, and cut open the filter and it looked fine. Bit of white on the bottom but overall not as bad as I thought it would be. Replaced filters, installed a water separator, moved the fuel cell vent up, drained carbs and fuel pump, and replaced fuel lines. 2 hours of work and back on the water. Spent all day yesterday fishing with no problems.
 
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