I tested the six bleed line check valves that push oil towards the cylinders and found them to be OK. I used a short piece of hose and a syringe to test for one-way flow. I did this test to see if they might be a cause for poor idle or excess smoking during idle. Apparently not. These check...
My motor seems to run fine with the Idle Stabilizer module still installed. However, I have read several recent posts about the wisdom of removing this module to avoid potential problems from a module failure, such as mentioned in this link: http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=417952
I...
My shop manual contains a page describing the way to test the bleed line check valves with the motor at idle on the water (see pic below). Basically I want to make sure that the check valves are not stuck open or stuck closed. Doing this test with the motor in the water is not nearly as...
OK, the airbox is really called a SOUND ATTENUATOR PLATE by Mercury but I go by the simple name of airbox. See picture below. Anyways, I took the airbox off a few days ago and found that one of the gaskets between the airbox and the carbs was torn. About 1/4 of the gasket on one carb barrel was...
While winterizing my 150hp outboard for the winter, I noticed that the old oil I drained from the lower unit had a somewhat strong unpleasant smell. It was kind of like the smell of an open sewer or septic tank. Is this normal? Can this be caused by water leaking into the lower unit oil, mixing...
Is there any reason to not use a Sierra brand water/fuel separating filter, over a Mercury brand filter, from a quality point of view. I would not want to foolishly "go cheap" if the Sierra's have a bad reputation and I just don't know about it. The Sierra part number is 18-7844.
Thanks in...
I recently installed a temp guage on my boat. I connected the existing temp sender (which was already installed on the motor) to a new Faria gauge that displays a range of 100-250 degrees. After running the motor a few times, I noticed that the Faria gauge displays approximately 150 degrees at...
I have read about one troubleshooting test where you pull the spark plug wire (one at a time) from the spark plug while the engine is running and monitor what happens. If the motor idle speed drops uniformly for each spark plug wire pulled (cylinder), then that is a good thing. If the idle does...
How do you practically determine whether the bleed system check valves are functioning properly on a carbed motor?
I generally understand that a plugged bleed system check valve can cause poor running conditions and/or starve an internal bearing of needed lubrication. My Mercury shop manual's...
Is Quicksilver 2-4-C grease a good choice to use on boat trailer wheel bearings?
I ask this question because when I went to my local Mercury boat shop to buy a few extra 3oz tubes of Quicksilver 2-4-C grease for packing my bearings, the guy at the shop highly recommended that I use a...
I want to repack the the wheel bearings on my boat trailer. I have not done this before so I did a little research on this. All of the instructions I have read recommend that the bearings be completely cleaned in solvent before pressing the new grease into the bearings by hand. I have not found...
While running my motor on the hose, I see that water and exhaust gases are blowing out near the anodes on the lower unit. My shop manual seems to indicate that it is normal for water to exit at this location (see quote from manual below), however it does not mention that exhaust should also be...
I am planning to purchase a bimini for my boat. The size I need is 30" high (from deck hinge mount to cover) , 5' long (from front to back), and 87" wide (distance between deck hinges). I want 7/8" aluminum tubing, stainless steel fittings, and Subrella fabric. I considered getting a custom made...
I was just planning to buy and install a water pressure gauge kit for my motor. I have read that it is generally recommended to tap the line into the water hose at the top of the motor, just behind the flywheel. However, as I was reading my Mercury OEM shop manual to get more information, I...
I want to replace the Thermal Air Valve on my motor. This valve closes (shuts off) some of the air flowing to the idle circuit when the motor is cold (resulting in a richer fuel/air mixture) and then opens when the motor warms up. The valve is screwed into the starboard cylinder head and an air...
