1997 Merc 60hp power loss at high speed

[Jetblast]

My son has a 1997, Merc, 60hp, 3 cyl.,on a 16.6 ft. Flats & Bay. The boat runs great at 5500 rpm, 40 mph but then very abruptly losses power<br /> and falls of plane. From that point on attaininmg full speed is very intermittent. When advancing the throttle the engine boogs. We have replaced the spark plugs, added quick clean to the 22 gal. gas tank, replaced the cartridge fuel filter, cleaned the carbs with decarb spray. The fuel bulb is still hard when the power loss happens. This problem sounds very similar to brownsongs ( member #2342 ) problem, posted on 2001-06-26, but I did not see an answer from him stating what the fix was. Any ideas.

 

[clanton]

Re: 1997 Merc 60hp power loss at high speed

Check the ignition system.

 

[sharkcat]

Re: 1997 Merc 60hp power loss at high speed

I have 2 1996 60hps on my boat I had exactly the same problem.It was corrosion on the coil end of the plug lead on #3.It caused the cylinder to drop out WOT about 3000rpm on 2 cylinders.Cleaned it up & put it back together & good as new Hope this helps

 

[Jetblast]

Re: 1997 Merc 60hp power loss at high speed

Clanton and Sharkcat, thanks for the reply and help. If my son ever gets the boat out of the water I will certainly check the coil and ignition system. If this works, I owe you a beer. I just talk to him on the phone and he said it ran great except for 5 minutes period today and he did notice that it seems to happen when he goes over a wake or in rough water. I'll let you know what we find. By the way Sharkcat, I live right down the Intercoastal from one of your fellow Aussie's, Greg Norman. If I see him, I'll say gaday for ya.

 

[sharkcat]

Re: 1997 Merc 60hp power loss at high speed

That would be good jetblast tell gidday from us all at home & buy him a beer & a pie

 

[Jetblast]

Re: 1997 Merc 60hp power loss at high speed

Ok folks here's the kicker. We went through the ignition box and found some corrosion at the coils. The rest of the wiring looks good. Cleaned what we could and applied Dielectric grease and put it back together. We did order 3 new coils, plugs, and plug wires, since they were corroded, but haven't received them yet. It was ( I say was ) running great on 3 outings, no problems at all, and then yesterday when my son had it out it died when he retarded the throttle, like the key was turned off, and hasen't started since. On restart it did spit one time but thats all she wrote. He said the fuel bulb was hard when it quit. It cranks but won't fire. The boat is still at his house so I haven't checked it over yet. When he brings it to me I'll check for spark, but in the mean time does anyone have a clue. Sounds like ignition to me, but where do I look next. Thanks.

 

[Jetblast]

Re: 1997 Merc 60hp power loss at high speed

Ok, we confirmed that there is no spark to any cylinder. This morning we installed 3 new coils, 3 new plug wires, and 3 new plugs. Still no spark. We have resistence on the switch box hot wires, confirms there not internally grounded. We disconnected the black with yellow tracer shutoff wire to elemenate the ignition switch and kill switch and still no spark. Any ideas, need help. Thanks

 

[marinegrh]

Re: 1997 Merc 60hp power loss at high speed

have you eliminated the keyswitch as being the problem, if not disconnect it, and crank the engine by jumping the starter solenoid, make sure it has water or disconnect the plug wires, but you knew that, id check the stator output, then got to the trigger, and then the cdm's, check all your gronds and make sure there clean, also on those engines the stop circuit runs behind the ign plate, check and make sure its not pinched, or chafed, merc had a problem with those<br /><br />good luck and keep us infoed

 

[Jetblast]

Re: 1997 Merc 60hp power loss at high speed

AND THE ANSWER IS: It needed a new stator. I guess merc had problems with this model stator ( black ) and we replaced it with a new red stator. Purr's like a kitten and runs better then ever. Thanks for your help guys.