1996 Merc 115 ELPTO - Oil Consumption & Quits

[jthornton0604]

Recently picked up a 96 Ranger R72, pristine condition, from a friend of the family. Basically sat in a barn and was taken on the water about 3 times a year. The motor is a Mercury 1996 115 ELPTO.

Last week I turned up the idle speed and changed out the plus because of the following issues:

Recently it has started to quit in the following situation. I run across the lake, full speed, idle down, turn off the motor. When I go to start back up it turns over, put it in gear, it dies. Sometimes I have to start it a few times before it will finally get in gear without any issue.

Issue 2 - It really seems to go through some oil, not at 50:1, seems to be more at 40 or 30:1. When moving slow I have smoke (quicksilver oil). Filled the oil, went through about a tank of gas and had to refill the reservoir again.

Any assistance is appreciated. Please answer as if talking to a third grader...my knowledge of engines is limited.

 

[flyingscott]

Are you running fresh fuel in it if not put that in. After that I would look at your carbs changing the idle only covered the symptom. Those are tricky carbs because it's a 2+2 motor idles on 2 cylinders until 1800 rpm then the other 2 cylinders kick in. The top carbs are different than the bottom carbs in a couple of ways. The top 2 carbs have idle circuits for idling. The bottom 2 carbs have no idle circuit but they do have accelerator pumps. The bottom 2 cylinders get lubed by a wee hole in the bottom carbs that lets just enough oil and fuel through to keep them lubed. Since the boat has seen very little use I would go to the carbs, get carb kits from mercury and make sure they have the accelerator pumps for the bottom 2 carbs. If you don't know a lot about motors I don't know if this is the one you want to learn on. If you decide to do it yourself get a FACTORY manual not a clymer or seloc. If the motor is smoking like that and you had to turn the idle up I would bet your gas mileage is pretty bad could be running rich.

 

[jthornton0604]

Thanks FlyingScott. I am using fresh gas, ethanol free, right from the pump at the station, then I am off to the water. My father in law and a bro in law are engine guys, more cars/trucks, but I can have them look into what you suggested. The bro in law said it might be the cards and he could check them out, may have to take him up on that. Thanks for the info!

 

[Faztbullet]

I suggest a carb rebuild with new gasket kits and replace all the fuel lines internally as these are the type that rot from the inside out filling carbs with black particles...

 

[jthornton0604]

Thanks Fazt. Does not sound like a fun job and may require taking it into the shop for an estimate.