9.8 Merc sputtering

[Nucknoilerfan]

I have an older, late 70's or early 80's, 9.8 Merc that seems to miss when it runs. I've replaced the plugs and the leads off the coils as well as rebuilt the carb. I thought that it might be an ignition problem but I'm not too sure. I also thought perhaps I mixed up the lead wire from the coils but even when I reverse them it runs the same. How do I know which is the right way to have the leads hooked up? Someone told me to check for equal resistance across the coils but they appear to be the same. Both plugs have a spark but I couldn't really tell if it was equal.The motor stalls when I reduce the throttle to an idle but starts easily. So far I've only run the motor in a bucket of water and as far as getting it out on the lake, well that requires a bit of planning. Also the fuel is new so that is not an issue.

 

[Bubbles Up]

Re: 9.8 Merc sputtering

Hello from another Chilliwackian!
I have a guy in the North Delta area that works from his garage does decent work for very reasonable. I can PM his name and number. I am out of town but when Im back in a couple of days. He has worked on my '79 7.5 basically the same motor.

Bubbles.

 

[Downwindtracker2]

Re: 9.8 Merc sputtering

I'm just west of you. There is a sticky on FAQ. It helped me get my 7.5 to run.

 

[Nucknoilerfan]

Re: 9.8 Merc sputtering

Where exactly do I find that FAQ?

 

[Downwindtracker2]

Re: 9.8 Merc sputtering

http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=31 If you read through "Won't start" that will give you some checks. Most everybody here is going to have more insight than me.The idle adjustment on mine is touchy,a little over 1/2 turn from the center of purr to sputter.Princess Auto has a laser tach for $75.

I also have a 4.5 merc,sorta the same as the 7.5/9.8, only a single.Different carb. It idles lousy.I have the carb kit,just haven't done it ,yet. I use it on a canoe,a Clipper Mac Sport. I left it on a high idle after starting,turned the motor into the current and engaged forward. Wrong order. A quick flip into the water. It's a good thing these little motors can take some water. I dried it,but it soon flooded out. It was back to paddling up stream.

 

[Nucknoilerfan]

Re: 9.8 Merc sputtering

I played around with the idle screw with limited results. I'm still playing around with a couple of other possibilities. Fuel delivery perhaps? Something might not be just right with the fuel pump after my carb rebuild. Seemed pretty basic when I did it but worth another look.