'93 50hp 3 cyl Merc......sluggish out of the hole

Roughneck1860

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Mar 30, 2008
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I have a 1993 3 cylinder 50hp Mercury. I have it on a Lowe Roughneck 1860VT mod-v jon bOAT. I'm running a 12" 4bld aluminum prop. Dry weight of the boat is around 650lbs. Lately the motor has been real sluggish coming out of the hole and up onto plane. I cleaned the plugs and it made a bit of difference but not much. I checked the compression and its about 107psi on all three cylinders. It used to jump right up on plane with no issues so I'm kind of wondering whats up. Top speed is about the same at 31.8 mph. Anyone have any thoughts?

Thanks
Tim
 

CharlieB

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Apr 10, 2007
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5,617
Re: '93 50hp 3 cyl Merc......sluggish out of the hole

Idle circuits on the carbs are getting dirty and not passing enough fuel for acceleration.

Either clean the carbs properly or try adding a bit of Sea Foam to the fuel to see if it will wash out the crud.

Since it hasn't lost any WOT RPM the mains seem clear, BUT..................

IF even one main starts getting tight, you WILL smoke that cyl.

I highly recommend carb cleaning, completely, THEN regularly add the Sea Foam at the maintenance level to keep them clean.
 

Fritzy

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Sep 3, 2004
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Re: '93 50hp 3 cyl Merc......sluggish out of the hole

You need to pull the carbs and clean them. When was the last time this was done?
 

flyinbryan

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Jun 20, 2010
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Re: '93 50hp 3 cyl Merc......sluggish out of the hole

i have the exact same engine (if yours is the 3-wme carbed model)

mine is a 93 50hp too.

listen to the guys above. if yours has the triple wme carbs, they are very easy to take apart and clean. everytime i do it mine runs literally like it did when i bought it brand new.
 

Roughneck1860

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Re: '93 50hp 3 cyl Merc......sluggish out of the hole

Thanks for the replies guys. I've done carb work on single carb motors but never on a triple, it is the 3 WME motor. I haven't looked at the linkage yet but I shouldn't have to worry about them coming out of sync should I? Also by cleaning I take it you guys means strip the blows , soak and clean them as well as soaking an dcleaning the jets and needles to remove any build up? Laquer thinner should work or is there something better? I saw that there appears to be a jet on the out side of the carb on the upper right (if facing it) side. which jet is that?

Thanks
Tim
 

flyinbryan

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Jun 20, 2010
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Re: '93 50hp 3 cyl Merc......sluggish out of the hole

Thanks for the replies guys. I've done carb work on single carb motors but never on a triple, it is the 3 WME motor. I haven't looked at the linkage yet but I shouldn't have to worry about them coming out of sync should I? Also by cleaning I take it you guys means strip the blows , soak and clean them as well as soaking an dcleaning the jets and needles to remove any build up? Laquer thinner should work or is there something better? I saw that there appears to be a jet on the out side of the carb on the upper right (if facing it) side. which jet is that?

Thanks
Tim

hey tim, ive never had much trouble syncronizing my linkage. its fairly simple.

and yes, take them apart and clean them out. ive always used berrymans chem-dip, but be careful not to breathe it. its incredibly potent stuff, and wear good rubber gloves. it will go right through your skin.

the jet on the outside is your bowl vent jet. it is used and sized accordingly to improve midrange response and fuel economy.

the main jet on 50hp wme carbs is installed in the bottom of the fuel bowl directly behind the bowl drain plugs. it appears to be perfectly setup so that if a rejet were needed, it could be done through the fuel bowl drain plugs without having to take the carbs apart. (of course a good holding screwdriver would be preferred.

im going to try to do a 1993 50hp wme carb rebuild/cleanout thread with pics soon.

they are wonderfully simple little carbs.
 

Roughneck1860

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Re: '93 50hp 3 cyl Merc......sluggish out of the hole

Thanks for the extra info Bryan.

Tim
 

starcraft1982

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Feb 7, 2010
Messages
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Re: '93 50hp 3 cyl Merc......sluggish out of the hole

didnt specify if the motor still sounds or shows if its still turning proper rmps?not doubting anyones suggestions on here(theyre great!)but could you have a spun hub in the prop?just giving ideas.
 

Roughneck1860

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Mar 30, 2008
Messages
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Re: '93 50hp 3 cyl Merc......sluggish out of the hole

didnt specify if the motor still sounds or shows if its still turning proper rmps?

I believe I did make mention that it's still making the same top speed or very clsoe to it. It's not a spun hub. I dont have a tach but the rpm increase and sound match up.

Thanks
Tim
 
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