what's most likely to be wrong with the engine:

NorthRising

Recruit
Joined
Feb 17, 2014
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2
Mercury 8 HP 2 Stroke (Serial number: 9464068):

The compression in the cylinders is 91 & 92 psi respectively (measured cold), so I think that is good as they are pretty much equal, but is 91/92 a high enough value?

- The engine starts easily and I've run it in a tank.
- I have a good tell-tale of coolant water.
- After a while though it cuts out, re-starts ok but will then again cut out.
- It will cut out whether idling or in gear.
- I think the engine is a little bit more smoky than it should be.
- There is a steady trickle of pale brown substance down the aft edge of the leg from below the lower cowl from what I think are known as exhaust reliefs (two holes); this seems to be an emulsion of unburnt oil and ?water? (this was also what we saw on the delivery trip and didn't like the look of), is this normal - could this be a symptom of a blown head gasket?

Background: this engine came with my boat and was de-winterised (2009) for the surveyor who got it to start, it was then re-winterised until I got the boat seaworthy. It was then de-winterised May (2010) and was supposed to be serviced, but the yard let me down and although they kept promising it would be ready at launch they left it too late, and when they tried to start it they found only one cylinder firing and replaced some electronic control unit; when I came to collect they let me know they had not serviced it, but it was running ok. I then managed to relocate the boat, but half way through the engine went a bit odd and as parts of the trip demanded a reliable engine I bought a new one.

Until today the engine has sat on a bench but I want to decide whether to get it up to scratch as a reliable spare or sell it, or break it and sell the parts....
 

racerone

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Dec 28, 2013
Messages
39,402
Re: what's most likely to be wrong with the engine:

I do not believe that the motor has a head gasket.----It could be that the carburetor / fuel pump needs service.
 
G

Guest

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Re: what's most likely to be wrong with the engine:

I have a 96 2 stroke 6hp and i get around 90 on each cylinder. Based on what i read small most mercs that small output around 90 but i could be wrong
 

wired247

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Oct 8, 2011
Messages
1,557
Re: what's most likely to be wrong with the engine:

Compression tests need to be done with the engine warm and the throttle plates open. The numbers are useless otherwise.
 

NorthRising

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Joined
Feb 17, 2014
Messages
2
Re: what's most likely to be wrong with the engine:

Compression tests need to be done with the engine warm and the throttle plates open. The numbers are useless otherwise.

Have re-done the compression tests with engine warm and throttle wide open; now getting readings slightly over 100 psi on both cylinders.

Have now removed carb (initial inspection suggests it is pretty clean) but will strip, clean, blow with compressed air, new gaskets etc, and then will work through the carb settings.... Meantime, I have noted that the hand primer bulb in the fuel line from the tank is on its way out and leaking fuel when squeezed, possibly ingesting air so could be the engine was running rich even when choke in - we shall see.

Lubricant in the lower unit looks clear of water ingress.
 
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