Anybody mechanicly inclined??????

[SeaBass]

Alright this is what happened. Went out today with the lady on my 14ft aluminum boat. Ive got a 97 merc 9.9. Well everything ran fine then for some reason Every time i would excelerate the bloody motor would start to die. I know there could be so many things. I also know that my gas is a litlle over 1 month old but dont think thats the problem.. any ideas??? let me know.. Wanna take a look at it?? I will by the beer and whatever else.


Seabass

[Rideaufish]

Im sure you checked the easy stuff like choke off tank vent open? I would try spark plug if not new, thats as much as I can do from NY. Good Luck!

[Muskiemagnet]

I also think it sounds like your gas tank is not vented. Some tanks require the cap to remain loose for proper performance.

[bass ackwards]

When was the last time you checked the fuel filter??

[Hoser]

not sure about the newer models but the older mercs would act up with the smallest bit of dirt in the gas....the needle in the carb would get stuck. I used to wack the bottom of the carb with the handle of a screwdriver and it would be fine again.

[M.T. Livewell]

I would also check the primer ball in your gas line to make sure it is still primed. If soft, replace the bulb.

My money is it is a gas related problem. So, vent the tank, use fresh gas, check the ball, and run some carb cleaner through it. If that doesn't solve the problem, you'll need someone on hand to have a look.

M.T. Livewell

[Rideaufish]

I was just talking to a friend the other day he said his mechanic said NOT to use carb cleaner spray type for the small newer carbs not good for them forgot exactly why.

[Wallyboss]

Another thing you might wanna check is to make sure you have no air coming in from a loose hose clamp on your fuel line that happened to me

[Legend]

The other thing, assuming it's a water cooled motor, is to check to see that water is flowing through the engine. If the engine gets too hot you can run into a vapour lock situation, something that every NASCAR fan knows and appreciates.

All that said, my money is on the gas can vent...

Legend

[R.U. Ketchinenny]

If you're in there monkeying around anyway, you may want to check your high speed jet on the carb.

Sounds like a starvation issue, but the carb is worth a look.

[steve-d]

well to me it sounds like the fuel/air mixture is too rich on fuel.
i'm not an outboard tekky, but i am a qualified vehicle technician, so i may be wrong.
do outboards have air filters? just take it out and try it again, if it cures it just get a new filter.

also the ignition timing may be out, i have known this cause the same symptoms.

plugs and leads.

faulty HT coil can also cause the same problem.

basically, either you got too much fuel in comparison to air, or insufficient spark to ignite it.

HTH
Steve

[fishboch]

I had a very similar problem with my 15hp Force.
It would run fine in neutral, could rev it as high as it would go but soon as I put it into gear it would just cut out and die.
Had to take it in. Turns out the head gasket was gone.
60 bucks and two years later everything is still fine.

Good Luck.