I have a 1988 Mercury 80HP Oil Injected 3 cyl OB engine that starts reasonably well, runs fine but if I am in teh river and need to run it at low speed for a while it will suddenly die and I can't restart it.
The first time we were idling or running at headway speed for 20 minutes and it just died. I couldn't start it - wouldn't even come close to turning over but I thought that I flooded it. I could smell gas.
Last night was the same scenario as we were running for a good 30+ mintues at slow speed. Suddenly I heard the engine bog down a bit and then die and I couldn't restart it. REmembering that I thought I flooded it before, I was careful not to use the choke for the first few starts then tried th echoke. It wouldn't turn over for at least 30 mintues and you could smell gas.
After docking and grabbing some food, we tried it won't last time before leaving until the next day. It still wouldn't start but then I primed the fuel line and it started soon after and ran fine all the way home.
I don't have a great place to work on the boat so I'm looking for some knowledge on why this might be happening - whether you have suggestions for a rookie owner or suggestions on engine troubles - both are appreciated.
The spark plugs were recently changed, new water/fuel separator filter, good, clean gas, plenty of oil.
Thanks!
The first time we were idling or running at headway speed for 20 minutes and it just died. I couldn't start it - wouldn't even come close to turning over but I thought that I flooded it. I could smell gas.
Last night was the same scenario as we were running for a good 30+ mintues at slow speed. Suddenly I heard the engine bog down a bit and then die and I couldn't restart it. REmembering that I thought I flooded it before, I was careful not to use the choke for the first few starts then tried th echoke. It wouldn't turn over for at least 30 mintues and you could smell gas.
After docking and grabbing some food, we tried it won't last time before leaving until the next day. It still wouldn't start but then I primed the fuel line and it started soon after and ran fine all the way home.
I don't have a great place to work on the boat so I'm looking for some knowledge on why this might be happening - whether you have suggestions for a rookie owner or suggestions on engine troubles - both are appreciated.
The spark plugs were recently changed, new water/fuel separator filter, good, clean gas, plenty of oil.
Thanks!