2000 Mercury 50 ELPTO running issues.

[boatinlikeafool]

I'm new to boating and I have just gotten a 2000 Landau Bandit BT20 pontoon boat. I figured it would be a good beginner boat. The motor is a Mercury 50 ELPTO. It runs ok in open water when you have the throttle opened up. But when you go into a slow idle or just barely giving it gas to go slow it will run for about 2 minutes then cut out and die. It seems like when I go to restart it I have to re-prime it with the primer ball. I'm not sure what to do to trouble shoot this? I thought about getting a new fuel line? I am not knowledgeable on boats or the motors so any help would be greatly appreciated. I figured I'd see if I could resolve this issue before taking to a boat mechanic to try to save a little money.

How much would a Tune up cost me on this motor? I'm in Indiana.

Thanks again...

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 2000 Mercury 50 ELPTO running issues.

it sounds like you either have a carb issue with the low speed jets, or a link & sinc issue.

 

[boatinlikeafool]

Re: 2000 Mercury 50 ELPTO running issues.

Whats link & sinc?

Nevermind, found it with the search feature. Does anyone have this manual that could send me the link & sync procedure? I don't have it. 2000 50hp ELPTO

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: 2000 Mercury 50 ELPTO running issues.

it is a step by step procedure, that is exclusive to each model and hp. it synchonizes the elect timing with the carb, so they work together.

 

[j_martin]

Re: 2000 Mercury 50 ELPTO running issues.

If your primer bulb is going flat, you have an air leak either in the bulb itself, or in the hose between there and the tank. At high speed, it's bubbles. At low speed, it's pure air.

A 50 might get enough fuel with the air, a V6 would balk at WOT and eventually burn down from leanness. been there done that.

hope it helps
John

 

[skmag357]

Re: 2000 Mercury 50 ELPTO running issues.

i agree. We had the same issue with a johnson 28hp. Changed the fuel line and it stopped.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 2000 Mercury 50 ELPTO running issues.

If the primer bulb is being sucked flat (actually compressed) that's one issue. If it merely goes soft, that's perfectly normal. Fuel is drawn through the bulb so it will not stay firm. If it's actually flat, then there is a restriction between the bulb and the pickup in the tank. Since the engine runs fine at wide open throttle, you don't have a fuel issue. You more than likely have nothing more than dirty carbs or an idle mixture or idle speed adjustment issue.