Mercury outboard dies at idle...

[Eduardo]

...and also in forward gear at idle. This happens only after I run the motor at high speed. Then when I put it in neutral or forward gear in idle, it dies not right away but a few minutes later. The only way to start it is if I push the ignition switch to choke. Drove to a protected lagoon and just idled a few minutes switching to forward at times and the motor wouldn't die. Wierd. Then I took it out again, went WOT for a few minutes, then got to the no wake zone and died again. If I run the motor at mid to high speed, the motor is okay. What do you think? This is a '83 Mercury 50 hp motor. Had this motor for 6 years and the last time I used it prior to this test run and one other time prior to the test run, was 5 1/2 years ago. It has always been stored in the garage. With all my motors, I always run out the fuel everytime I'm done with the boat. I appreciate any recommendations. Thanks

Eduardo

 

[Fishing Dude too]

Re: Mercury outboard dies at idle...

...and also in forward gear at idle. This happens only after I run the motor at high speed. Then when I put it in neutral or forward gear in idle, it dies not right away but a few minutes later. The only way to start it is if I push the ignition switch to choke. Drove to a protected lagoon and just idled a few minutes switching to forward at times and the motor wouldn't die. Wierd. Then I took it out again, went WOT for a few minutes, then got to the no wake zone and died again. If I run the motor at mid to high speed, the motor is okay. What do you think? This is a '83 Mercury 50 hp motor. Had this motor for 6 years and the last time I used it prior to this test run and one other time prior to the test run, was 5 1/2 years ago. It has always been stored in the garage. With all my motors, I always run out the fuel everytime I'm done with the boat. I appreciate any recommendations. Thanks

Eduardo

Sounds like a weak fuel pump.

 

[CharlieB]

Re: Mercury outboard dies at idle...

Or a slight air leak, sucking just enough into the system at an idle to run out of fuel, but not enough to run too lean to affect WOT and burn down a piston ( yet)!

 

[trhinehart32]

Re: Mercury outboard dies at idle...

air leak in the full line thats what i think 2 check 4 vacume leaks 2 that could do it

 

[Eduardo]

Re: Mercury outboard dies at idle...

Thanks guys. I've scratched out the fuel pump just because at WOT, that's when the fuel pumps use the most fuel. I don't have any problem at high speed. I'll check the fuel lines for any leaks. I'll also replace the fuel line connectors; I have a new pair I can use. I'm going out early tomorrow morning to test again. I'll keep you guys posted.

Eduardo

 

[Eduardo]

Re: Mercury outboard dies at idle...

Early this morning I made up a new fuel line from the tank to the motor. I added a fuel filter on the previous one. I did not put a fuel filter on the new fuel line. My wife and I took her out this morning for a 3rd test run. After almost 2 hours on the water, mixing it up from WOT to idle in neutral and forward gear, 3 miles of no wake zone, and back to the launch, it did not die once. Even when I turned off the motor to change tanks, it started right up. The bulb is working okay, I now believe there was a leak in the fuel filter within the fuel line. I'm relieved that that was all it was. Thanks guys for your help.

Eduardo

 

[sschefer]

Re: Mercury outboard dies at idle...

Could have been fuel aeration in the filter. I had a Nissan that did that too me. Drove me nuts. I basically did the same thing as you and removed the filer.