Motor stops under power

rob6868

Recruit
Joined
Jun 29, 2024
Messages
5
Hello, fellow boaters. I have a 2008 mercury 4stroke 20hp outboard motor that when im on the lake ill increase to full throttle and after about 15-20 secs it just dies on me or when i troll @ 1.5 it dies after about 3mins. I know it seems to be a fuel issue. but unsure whats causing it. I removed the fuel pressure regulator prior to this starting happening on advice i was told there junk and unnecessary. Does that sound right? Its between the gas tank and motor. Any suggestions? And does it take a certain type off fuel regulator or one size fits all? Would really appreciate some advice. Thank you
 

Texasmark

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
14,665
Hello, fellow boaters. I have a 2008 mercury 4stroke 20hp outboard motor that when im on the lake ill increase to full throttle and after about 15-20 secs it just dies on me or when i troll @ 1.5 it dies after about 3mins. I know it seems to be a fuel issue. but unsure whats causing it. I removed the fuel pressure regulator prior to this starting happening on advice i was told there junk and unnecessary. Does that sound right? Its between the gas tank and motor. Any suggestions? And does it take a certain type off fuel regulator or one size fits all? Would really appreciate some advice. Thank you
Is your fuel tank vented....is it functioning properly? I assume you have a squeeze bulb on the fuel line. What does it feel like when the engine dies?
Have you tried to squeeze it to prime the engine when it falters?
 

rob6868

Recruit
Joined
Jun 29, 2024
Messages
5
The bulb and line are brand new. When i sqeeze the bulb at first start up it does not feel like the bulb is filling up with fuel.
 

dingbat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 20, 2001
Messages
16,066
The bulb and line are brand new. When i sqeeze the bulb at first start up it does not feel like the bulb is filling up with fuel.
Installed with the arrows in the right direction?

Holding the ball vertical while pumping?
 

rob6868

Recruit
Joined
Jun 29, 2024
Messages
5
I ended up taking the carb off and using a sonic cleaner (got it at harbor freight) changed plugs they fouled. Runs great, except it's hard to start when its cold
 

chrisgt

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Sep 23, 2024
Messages
31
I ended up taking the carb off and using a sonic cleaner (got it at harbor freight) changed plugs they fouled. Runs great, except it's hard to start when its cold
hard to start cold is likely that you either have your idle mixture too lean or something wrong in the priming circuit. This has a priming build that feeds off the bottom of the carb, right? You need to squeeze the ball to fill the carb before using that primer.
 
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