1995 Mercury 75 timing settings-backfire (popping) need advice

md88

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I have a 1995 Mercury 75 hp outboard serial number 0G255313. It backfires out the exhaust at idle. I think the timing is off. I found a service manual online, but the settings don't seem right. It says they should be 20 BTDC max and 2 ATDC-6BTDC idle. When I check mine with the timing light at cranking the max setting was around 28 BTDC. I am a pretty good amateur mechanic with cars and small engines and I feel confident I can get this set, I just need to know that I am using the correct numbers and manual. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

More Information: It will idle fine with the hose on it in the driveway. Can't get it to backfire at idle. If I rev it with the cold start to about 3000 rpm I can get it to backfire. The previous owner has a clear filter installed between the built in tank and the primer bulb. That filter is not always full of fuel. I prime it and get it to fill but it will be empty sometimes when I check it. The backfire usually has a puff of smoke with it out the prop. I ran this boat on a river one time when I first got it last year and pulled a tube with my kids. Since then I have only ran it on an idle only lake fishing, about 3-4 times. When I pulled the tube on the river it would backfire at idle but seemed to run fine at 25-30 mph.

One more thing I forgot to mention. When I rev it with the cold start while running on the hose I rev it to about 3000 rpm and then push the cold start down and the POP happens as the rpms are dropping.
 
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md88

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Re: 1995 Mercury 75 timing settings

Re: 1995 Mercury 75 timing settings

I forgot to mention that I have cleaned the carbs and installed new gasket kits in them. I also put new spark plugs in it.
 
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Panga21

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Re: 1995 Mercury 75 timing settings

Re: 1995 Mercury 75 timing settings

Hello Sir,
I am having a very similar issue and my boat is going in shop on Tuesday. When I get the answers to my problem i will reply back to you. If you find the answers first, mainly to the smoke and back fire then I would appreciate a reply. On the smoke issue I have a feeling the oil injection is dumping extra oil in the cylinders but i am not sure.
Is the gas filter suppose to stay full?? (only the one near the engine is staying full) confusing. I have two on my line one near the tank and one in the engine compartment good luck. Is there an adjustment for the oil sending unit, if it even has one??
Thanks
 

md88

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Re: 1995 Mercury 75 timing settings

Re: 1995 Mercury 75 timing settings

Anyone have any ideas? Sorry if I am being impatient, but I thought maybe I would have some input by now. I'm new to this forum and not sure how long it takes to get opinions.
 

md88

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Re: 1995 Mercury 75 timing settings-backfire (popping) need advice

Looks like I might have solved this myself. Checked fuel pressure last night and I have less than 1 psi. Fuel pump rebuild kit and new fuel filter will be here today. Hope that fixes it. Going on a week long fishing trip this Sunday.
 

tpg

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Re: 1995 Mercury 75 timing settings-backfire (popping) need advice

Looks like I might have solved this myself. Checked fuel pressure last night and I have less than 1 psi. Fuel pump rebuild kit and new fuel filter will be here today. Hope that fixes it. Going on a week long fishing trip this Sunday.

This may or may not help just offering my experience. I have a 1995 Mariner 75 was acting very similar. After compression test, spark test, carb cleaning, fuel pump rebuild, replacing plugs, reeds, fuel filter, and back flow valve on fuel tank. I discovered it was the grey mercury fuel line (with bulb) I purchased from Walmart last season. Never thought to check because I assumed it was new. When I broke it open it was eaten up on the inside by ethanol, I assume, and pieces were clogging the fuel from flow. Just about drove me crazy before I found it. :D
 
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md88

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Re: 1995 Mercury 75 timing settings-backfire (popping) need advice

tpg, thanks for the reply. I have that grey fuel line also. I read that same info on another post. Someone took the fuel pump apart and attempted to rebuild it but did not do it correctly. If you look at the attached pictures, one gasket was broken when I took the pump apart, and the second picture shows they forgot to put the rubber disc under the plastic disc on the check valves.

image1.jpg
image2.jpg
 

tpg

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Re: 1995 Mercury 75 timing settings-backfire (popping) need advice

tpg, thanks for the reply. I have that grey fuel line also. I read that same info on another post. Someone took the fuel pump apart and attempted to rebuild it but did not do it correctly. If you look at the attached pictures, one gasket was broken when I took the pump apart, and the second picture shows they forgot to put the rubber disc under the plastic disc on the check valves.

View attachment 203543
View attachment 203544

Great news:joyous:
 
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