problems 60hp merc 4 stroke

[danryan75]

well a few weeks ago grandad decided i would get more use from his boat than i would and i should have it and i reluctantly agreed as any 17yo would so last weekend i took delivery of a 2002 475 bayranger caprice powered by a 60 p merc 4stroke with 47 hours on it. now the boat had been sitting for 2 years and the floor had rotted. i put a new floor in it (thread to come later) and fired the motor up and she ran fine. so took her off today down to the pine for a test run. i have drained the fuel in the tank and put $20 in this morning. the boat started fine and idles fine and i can rev it out using the throttle leaver in neutral but when i go to accelerate hard it bogs down and stalls. if i accelerate slowly it gets to around 45kph but the revs surge every now and again. played with the trim and tilt and no difference have done a little research and found that it could be the plugs/carby the plugs came out this arvo and had black soot on them which indicates to me a rich fuel mixture. they will be changed tomorrow. does anybody know where the carby is located and weather a clean would help. any other tips appreciated. i have not done any work to the motor since getting it

Cheers

Daniel

[Moonlighter]

Dan

What a great gift from your grandad!

Outboards are best when used regularly, and not running for a long time as you've indicated leads to a few potential problems - all of which are best addressed before they become big problems.

So a couple of things to consider in my experience.

First, the fuel can go stale very quickly, although it sounds like you might have addressed that by draining and refilling with fresh unleaded. Good move.

Next, did you check the fuel lines - especially the joints and the fittings. The lines can perish and joints leaking air are never a good thing. Fittings sometimes have o rings to help them seal and these fall apart when no fuel running thru for a long time.

Next, there's every chance that the carby and lower leg seals may have dried out - dry seals may need replacing in the carby and the leg. Don't want water in the gearbox or leaking carby gaskets.

Despite working OK now, there's also a big chance that the water pump impeller has hardened up due to lack of use and should be replaced.

So overall, in these cirumstances it would be a very good idea to have to motor thoroughly serviced by a reputable service mechanic and make sure to tell them that it's been unused for a while.

If you can tell us which area you live, someone on this site will surely recommend a reliable local mechanic for you if you're not confident to do the service yourself.

Hope this helps - as I say, it might sound a bit grim but a good thorough service now will most likely sort it nicely and then once a year will keep it that way.

Cheers

ML

[danryan75]

cheers for the advice. now im not an absolute whiz with motors i have started to learn a lot more after buying my patrol earlier this year and would feel fairly confident doing service myself provided i had a good service manual with piccies. is anybody able to recommend one or even give me a hand for a carton?

[darkside]

They are a fantastic motor, and as Moonlighter pointed out , they thrive on being used.

That being said, it sounds like the seals maybe dry and also the carby jets may be gummed up slightly as the stale fuel may have dryed into a gummy consistancy.

i would be inclined to change the plugs, definitely do the water pump, it may look good, but will be stuffed from sitting in the case dry.

And tip about half a bottle of "fuel Doctor" in the tank before the next run , this stuff cleans the jets and tends to help it all get moving a little better.

Then again, it was a gift, spend a little coin and get a full service , you wont regret it , when you are 20Ks, out to sea...

And this side of town has some great mechanics fairly close by.

[patrol50]

dan mate the post by moonlighter is spot on but do your self a bit of a favour mate and take the boat and motor to wondall road marine if your on the south side for a full service and check over - that wont be cheap probably $400 or more but you go the boat and motor at grandads good price - what a terrific guy is your grandad - those guys at wondall road are as good as there are and they will get it right for you mate - money well spent if you can raise it
good luck rob
how to do a water pump look at this site -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fj1c4...eature=related

[stevej]

just draining the tank wasnt enough
should have drained the fuel bowls and either drained the hose itself or bought a new one they pretty cheap, may have dragged some crap out of the bowls through the carbs

[Zooter]

Mate go with full service and piece of mind!

I would would be changing all oils in it, Last thing you want is too damage the motor and be up for thousands,

Great score from your grandad, Top bloke bye the sounds of it

[oldboot]

Um...er.... have you opened the vent on the fuel tank.

cheers

[black runner]

Carbs will have a gummy residue and, being a 4 carb (i assume its the same as the yammie), the jets are very small and can block easily.

Do yourself and your motor a favour - get a service done so that she is running sweet. After that you can have a go at it yourself. At the very least make sure all oils and filters are changed before running it again. Also get the cabs seen to asap so that you are'nt running lean.

Enjoy it - what a great gift!

[geoffmck]

Danryan, You really should listen to the guys saying "get a full service". The gift you have been given is a very valuable one (only 47 hours on the motor!) and needs to be looked after properly. Spend the money on a full service/check over now and you will have piece of mind for at least the next couple of years and grand dad will pleased that you are taking care of the old girl. I am sure you are aware that preventable break downs on the water are a bad idea.

[DTHCoCo]

Dont be a tight ass, you got given a boat so get it properly serviced by a mechanic. Chances are you'll try and fiddle with the carbie and brake something since thats prob wear your problems are coming from.

[Blackbird]

DTHCoCo
The guy says he is only 17 and while i agree a full service by the experts is the way to go I also commend him on having a go and being keen to learn.
At 17 I never had much money.

[darkside]

DTHCoCo
The guy says he is only 17 and while i agree a full service by the experts is the way to go I also commend him on having a go and being keen to learn.
At 17 I never had much money.

Blackbird faircall, but when it comes to marine, well anything really in life , i tend to go with the addage, "the poor man always pays twice", what this means is, he may save a few dollars by having a go himself, but if he gets the carby timing wrong or mucks something else up, then it will cost twice as much to get repaired , or worse could be caught stranded 20ks out in the briney ..

[ubdkdd]

i had the same issues with a 90hp merc i was also given by a relative... Being new to boats, i put a tank of E10 fuel through it as was paying for the mistake for months... so make sure your running quality fuel.

Agreed that its probably good to get a service, but if your keen to do it yourself, get yourself the service manual and give it a go... I knew nothing about boats 2 years ago, but learnt thru pulling the engine/carbys apart and learning how they work. Its worthwhile $$ wise in the long term, and its a lot of fun...

[danryan75]

thanks for the advice fellas. if the carbys were adjustable i would be worried but the timing cant be changed on this model so not too worried. any ideas how much a full service would cost including carbys cleaned(ballpark) cheers fellas