2001 Merc 225 EFI In Gear Idle and Smoke Problems

[flavadave2]

Hey Guys,

I just bought a used Triton Tr-21 Bass Boat with the 01 225 efi. Motor runs great altogether except when in gear idleing . Out of gear it will run 900 Rpm and WOT 5900 Rpm. But when in gear with no throttle only runs at 400 Rpm and dies when trying to take off frequenly unless playing with the throttle constantly. Any suggestions, is there an in gear idle adjustment, or a throttle position sensor. I have no idea on the efi's and the local mercury dealer raised rates to $95/hr to trouble shoot it which I think is ridulous. I already changed the fuel filter and plugs, new fuel constantly. Please help!!!!
Also is there an adjustment for the oil pump pressure for gas to oil ratio or a way to double check output. I know that WOT is 50 to 1 and idle is 100 to 1 ratio but how does this pressure or flow change and can I adjust anything to get rid of excessive smoking or is that just these EFI 2 strokes. All else is ok (compression, spark, etc.)

Please Help, and thanks in advance.

 

[ozziebob]

Re: 2001 Merc 225 EFI In Gear Idle and Smoke Problems

Pay the man $95 an hr. As you can see talk is cheep but it doesn't fix your engine

 

[sleepinin]

Re: 2001 Merc 225 EFI In Gear Idle and Smoke Problems

flavadave,
I'm no EFI expert, like most people on this board we have carbed engines. EFI's have a lot of flowcharted test but I have a few guesses, just take as that. First I'd check your bleed line filter screen to see if it has anything built up on it. If so it'll make your motor run rich at idle speeds, stumble on accellaration. I believe the bleed system is only active at idle speed so that's why I suspect it. Also the Throttle position sensor is another suspect. It tells your ECM info during low speed and mid speed. While the setting procedure for this looks really easy there is a test harness to splice your voltmeter into the TPS lead. Looks like you'll need this. If you go the $95/hr route the mechanic their diagnostic equipment can connect to the engine and know immediatly if the TPS set incorrectly. My manual also list as possibilities the low speed winding (stator), broken reed, and map sensor failure. If I were you I'd check the bleed line filter screen. If that's not it then I'd check the spark on each cylinder and see if there is a problem there. That would indicate ignition system probably your stator. Then if spark was ok I'd buy the test equipment and set the tps and check the fuel system. That just me though, I like tearing my engine apart and I hate paying others to do it. Also order a service manual from mercurymarine.com

 

[flavadave2]

Re: 2001 Merc 225 EFI In Gear Idle and Smoke Problems

flavadave,
I'm no EFI expert, like most people on this board we have carbed engines. EFI's have a lot of flowcharted test but I have a few guesses, just take as that. First I'd check your bleed line filter screen to see if it has anything built up on it. If so it'll make your motor run rich at idle speeds, stumble on accellaration. I believe the bleed system is only active at idle speed so that's why I suspect it. Also the Throttle position sensor is another suspect. It tells your ECM info during low speed and mid speed. While the setting procedure for this looks really easy there is a test harness to splice your voltmeter into the TPS lead. Looks like you'll need this. If you go the $95/hr route the mechanic their diagnostic equipment can connect to the engine and know immediatly if the TPS set incorrectly. My manual also list as possibilities the low speed winding (stator), broken reed, and map sensor failure. If I were you I'd check the bleed line filter screen. If that's not it then I'd check the spark on each cylinder and see if there is a problem there. That would indicate ignition system probably your stator. Then if spark was ok I'd buy the test equipment and set the tps and check the fuel system. That just me though, I like tearing my engine apart and I hate paying others to do it. Also order a service manual from mercurymarine.com

 

[flavadave2]

Re: 2001 Merc 225 EFI In Gear Idle and Smoke Problems

Sleepinin,

Thanks for the help and quick reply. I went out and checked the filter screen and it was totally clogged and 90 % blocked ,so this is deffinately part of the problem. But it still runs pretty rough. But in gear idle is at about 650 rpm, up from 400 rpm before. I checked spark on all cylinders at idle at out of gear idle and found only the 2 bottom cylinders firing but lots of unburnt fuel and smoke out of the exhause. Isnt there supposed to be 3 clyinders firing at idle on the newer mercs, and how does this work if so. Is it all controlled through the ignition control module or ECM. As cylinders have to be getting fuel and oil to lubricate as is a 2 stroke engine right?
I will order a manual immediatly and thanks for the help again, I need to get out there and do some more fishing soon.

 

[sleepinin]

Re: 2001 Merc 225 EFI In Gear Idle and Smoke Problems

flavadave,
I think all your cylinders should be firing at idle. I don't have a manual for your model year so I'm not sure about that. If they are all suppose to be firing at idle then you need to check the stator and switchboxes and see what's out of spec. The other question about how it all works is basically the oil and fuel come into the vapor seperator where they are mixed and then the mixed fuel is pumped into the fuel rail at a high pressure like 30psi. Then your ECM monitors various engine sensors and tells your fuel injectors that are on your fuel rail how long to open. It may do more than that but I don't know what else it would do. If your bleed system was causing you to run rich for a while you might benefit from decarbing the engine. There's some info on that procedure under frequently asked questions section but basically I go to Napa and get two cans of seafoam and a can of deep creep. Pull your plugs and spray the deep creep into the cylinders. Turn the engine over a few times but don't start it and then spray in some more. Put your plugs back in and then let it sit overnight. Now get a cheap external tank with a hose to connect to your engine(walmart has these). It's pretty easy to connect to line by your fuel filter. put 3 gallons of gas and the two cans of seafoam in the external tank. Run your engine at the lake around for about 5 minutes at around 1500 rpm then shut it off and let it sit 15 minutes. then run it again and let it sit again. Do this about 3 or 4 times so the seafoam can clean all the carbon out of there. It should smoke a lot at first and then clear up quite a bit by the time your done.