Boat Motor Question

Nice rig · April 16, 2007

Ok, I have a 2001 Mercury 125 O/B oil injected and have a couple questions. I bought the boat about 2 years ago and asked the owner what gas he put in. He said 87 octane or else it would get too hot...is it true by putting in higher octane gas that it will get too hot??? Also I have a issue while in the water, when I get out of the no wake zone and give it the throttle it has alot of hessitation. Out of the water it'll crank up on the 2nd or 3rd key bump, but in the water I'll float for 3 or 5 minutes trying to get it cranked looking like an idiot at the ramp. Don't know much about boat motors so any help would be great. Motor has about 100 hrs.

04silverado1500 · April 17, 2007

have you checked plugs and wires what about gumed up carbs i know its a newer motor but its possible and i know forsure the plugs should be replaced just for the heck of it to see it it heps. by the way is it an inline motor or v configuration. it must be v its a pretty sizeable mtor. i own a 40 hp '92 evinrude and a 9.8 '00 nissan so i have a little exp. with boat motors

mrlacy2 · April 17, 2007

I would not rec. starting motor out of the water(without water supplied to the water pump)The rubber fins on your water pump can break off or be damaged. As far as starting, if your motor has trim on it while setting in the water trim it up a little just be sure to keep your water pick up under water then start it. I had one once that was overpowered and sat low in the water at the back and if the two upper exhuast ports would go under water just setting there and would not start but if I trimmed it up some it would start every time. if it's carburated be sure to pump up the ball in your fuel line before you launch.And once it starts warm it up some Rev it to about 2000 and hold it,this is also a good time to look back and make sure it's peeing good(pumping water)... As far as running Try changeing plugs, two strokes can foul plugs easy and often. Power pacs go bad often too and can cause one to run bad. if it has been stored for awhile did you use a fuel stabilizer(this is a must) Try new fuel and if it starts and runs next time you go run the snot out of,This actually is the best thing for it .

Just trying to help know it must be frustrating,this is a few things I could think of..

Rob...

Nice rig · April 17, 2007

Thanks for the replies, Yes it's an inline 4. I always have the muffs on when firing it up at the house, and it has the exhaust through hub configuration. I keep fuel stabilizer in it when stored for the winter...I let it run for about 15 minutes with the stabilizer before bedding it down. It will always start and run...it's just a pain in the arse sometimes. I plan on swapping the plugs when I get home. Thanks

04z71steve · July 9, 2007

we have the same problem with our tracker, we have an 90 horse merc and she will turn over like nothin sometimes, and others you gotta put her in neutral and give her some gas, when i have the best luck with her is when i use just straight up 87!(which is perfect) for small outboards and i just push in once on the key while i'm turning the key, and if it doesnt start up i just throw her in neutral and crank her and she'll rev right up! try throwing some marine rated fuel system cleaner in there if the above doesn't work!

good luck!!

steve