Broken reed valve

[salted nuts]

I have a 1998 Mercury 125 that lost power at about 4800 rpm. The #2 cylinder was low on compression but all cylinders had spark. The #2 carburator was spitting fuel and when I looked down the carburator throat I noticed that one of the reed valve petals was missing. Tell me that all I have to replace is the reed valve plate and that I didn't trash the #2 cylinder. I can change the reed valve plate myself but what other damage could have happened and where might I look to find the reed valve petal.

 

[jdkzrt]

Re: Broken reed valve

Sorry S.N. <br />- you need to replace the reed plate (replace them all with fiberglass reeds)<br />- #2 cyl. is bad news. Pull head for a quick look.

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Broken reed valve

Youre probably good to go -- if you have Boyesen reeds. If you have stock steel reeds and it went through the cylinder.....well youll just have to look and see.<br /><br />Keep us posted and good luck!!

 

[jdkzrt]

Re: Broken reed valve

Reed missing, and low compression on same cylinder. <br />"Probably good to go" (even with fiberglass reeds)?????

 

[salted nuts]

Re: Broken reed valve

I have the stock steel reeds. I pulled the cylinder cover and all I get access to is the water cooling jacket, the cylinder head is part of the block casting. Should I pull the exhaust manifold cover? Will this get me a better picture of the potential damage?

 

[jdkzrt]

Re: Broken reed valve

Sorry S.N. (I'm not too familiar with your engine, and I don't have a manual handy), but you need to get a look at the top of the piston and the cyl. walls. You should be able to see the walls through the exh. manifold cover (through the ports).

 

[walleyehed]

Re: Broken reed valve

If you are going to put reeds in, Go Boyesen-Don't mess with stock stainless-they are a pain in the butt when they break and the results of the Boyesen reeds will make that merc purrrrrr!<br /> As for the cyl....I hope damage is minimal.