Reed replacement in Merc 150 Xri... How to?

[ufm82]

I may be in need of new reeds in my engine and was wondering how tough they are to replace? I have not yet purchased a manual yet but plan to do so. I am also an accomplished mechanic and can do the job, but I have never done this. <br /><br />Anybody have any experience? Time wise? Cost? <br /><br />UFM82

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Reed replacement in Merc 150 Xri... How to?

First off, why do you think you need reeds?<br /><br />I purchased a used intake off Ebay, and spent the winter rebuilding the carbs, rejetting, and doing the reeds. Make sure you lap the reed cages on a piece of flat 1/4" glass and 400 grit wet dry paper and lots of wd-40 before you put the new reeds on.<br /><br />As to removing the intake, I havnt done that yet. You should get a manual though. Im a mechanic, so it dosent look like much to me, but there are a lot of things that have to be desconected before you start to remove the intake, and you will want to have a pad handy to draw our hose and wiring locations. If you are handy at all, you should be able to do it all in a couple of days and a couple six-packs, (one each day).

 

[ufm82]

Re: Reed replacement in Merc 150 Xri... How to?

I am suspect of the reeds because I am getting a pretty good puff of oil smoke when I first start up the engine in the morning. I am wondering if I am getting a tad of exhaust out the intake until everything warms up a bit. <br /><br /> I may also have a head gasket peeping or other issues- don't know yet until I devote some diagnostic time. I just noticed the smoke last week while on vacation in Florida. It did it every morning on initial start-up. Never did it again the rest of the day. The engine runs great and starts very easily but has always had a slightly lopey idle. <br /><br />UFM82

 

[Coolmaker]

Re: Reed replacement in Merc 150 Xri... How to?

Smoke when you first start is normal, just oil laying around inside after the last shutdown. <br /><br />The lopey idle is probably just idle screw adjustment.<br /><br />If the reeds are bad, you will have gas coming out of the front of the carbs.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Reed replacement in Merc 150 Xri... How to?

Originally posted by CoolMaker:<br /> Smoke when you first start is normal, just oil laying around inside after the last shutdown. <br /><br />The lopey idle is probably just idle screw adjustment.<br /><br />If the reeds are bad, you will have gas coming out of the front of the carbs.

There is no Idle screw adjustment on these engines that I am aware of, I wish there was. These engines do have a slightly (lopey Idle).<br /><br />I dont think you have a reed issue.