1998 40 Merc\Force Reed replacement??

[njm_T160]

Greetings All,

Newbie here again. Just bought my first boat - 21' pontoon with the 1998 Merc\Force 40 HP (0E339847 ELPT). Supposedly it has been well-maintained.

After reading through many threads, it seems that one weak spot of the later Merc\Force motors are the composite reeds. Since I am now very paranoid about having this motor leave me stranded, I would like to inspect the reeds to see if they need replacement. Is this a difficult task? Can anyone be so kind as to explain the process?? With the motor running, what are the symptoms of cracked reeds?
Am I over-reacting?

Sorry to be such a pain,
-Nels

 

[RRitt]

Re: 1998 40 Merc\Force Reed replacement??

take a compression check

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: 1998 40 Merc\Force Reed replacement??

To inspect the reeds, all you need to do is remove the carb and look through the hole in the manifold. DONT BOTHER!
An engine with a missing reed petal, if it runs, will only run on one cylinder, even when it has good compression, spark and fuel. It may not start at all.

An engine with a broken reed petal but not completely missing will run, but very poorly.

Don't be too paranoid. While the later reeds were not quite as good in lifespan as earlier Chrysler and Force round tipped reeds, they are not so faulty that it is a given that you will have a problem. Your engine may just run well until you decide to sell it.

 

[njm_T160]

Re: 1998 40 Merc\Force Reed replacement??

Thanks for the tip (and re-assurance), Frank. Not sure why, but I have an inordinate fear of a breakdown while cruising on the river with a 'toon full of friends. I'm quite sure I will be a regular poster on this fine site!

-Nels