engine troubles

[mercury16]

hi everybody my name is mercury, i have a speed boat and have just purchased a mercury 9.8 outboard engine. I am experiancing problems with starting it, for example it has very little compression. Does anybody out there have any suggestions that could help me.<br /><br />cheers mercury

 

[JB]

Re: engine troubles

Howdy Merc. Welcome to the board.<br /><br />You need to explain "very low comprtession" in numbers. If that means under about 90psi on both cylinders or a difference between the cylinders of more than about 15psi you have a compression problem.<br /><br />That could be terminal, serious or simple. <br /><br />If it is simple a thorough decarbonizing treatment should solve it. <br /><br />If it is serious you need to overhaul the engine. <br /><br />If it is terminal you need to rebuild or replace the engine.<br /><br />Red sky at night. . .<br />JB