20hp merc

R

roadranger18

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Well it started out as being childishly excited over my new to me 1995 DMI Voyager 14 sst. Has a live well, storage box, lights, blah blah. The motor is a '88 merc. 20 horse. Maiden voyage was today. Packed a lunch and the family and set off. Well it starts first pull each and every time. Got out on the water and opened her up. Well.... Wouldn't plane out, little power, kind of missfiring and back firing. Finally it straightened out, and boy did it go! Then shut it down for while so drown some worms and have a sammich. Fired right back, pop fart skip and so on.

Any how. It has champion something or another plugs is. L76v or something of the sort. Upon return home, I popped the top off and noticed some seepage of gas from the line that comes off the fuel bowl to the carb. I cut the hose at that spot and put it back together. Was told this could have a direct effect on how it runs. But my oil mix may be a little heavy also I was told. I mixed 40:1. Was told it's probably 50:1 that it calls for and could also have an effect on how it was running.

Any help or suggestions would be super.
 
flyingscott

flyingscott

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Put the correct NGK plug in the motor and toss the champions. On the carb right in front above the throat is a brass screw turn that out a 1/4 turn see if that helps with the running. 40-1 is fine for that motor 50-1 is the correct mix. Yes fix the fuel line so it does not leak.
 
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roadranger18

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starting procedure is, pull the choke, pull the cord, fires up, push the choke in and let it run a minute before setting sail.

I've also been told toss the champions and get the ngk. So that's on the to do list today. I'm not small engine wise so to speak. You'll have to tell me what the throat is exactly.

Thank you!
 
flyingscott

flyingscott

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When you start the motor try this. Turn the knob all the way to the right before you pull it this will allow the motor to idle higher for the warm up. When it starts push the knob in and when it starts to rev up turn the knob back to the left for the normal idle. You may not need to adjust the carb if you start it that way. There may be a little trial and error on how long you need to leave the motor on high idle.
 
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roadranger18

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Ok thanks, I'll try that. I also found the plugs were not the recommended plug for that motor. So I got the merc recommended plugs today. Hoping the issue is just as simple as a cross between a learning curve and being in a hurry to get it on the water and not taking the time to fully understand the requirements of the engine prior. Doubt I'll get it back in the water until this weekend to try it again.
 
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roadranger18

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Update, new plugs. Still firing on one cylinder. So I concluded it's #2, the bottom, that's not running. Has spark. When I run it and pull the plugs, the top is blackish, the bottom totally clean but smells of gas. I determined it is not running by unplugging the wire on #2 and running it, ran exactly the same as with both wires on. Plugged the wire onto #2 and unplugged #1, wouldn't run. Barely started with the choke out and immediately dies when I pushed the choke in. Perhaps not enough fuel reaching #2?
 
flyingscott

flyingscott

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If everything is good you may need to rebuild the carb. Get the kit that has the fuel pump and primer parts.
 
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roadranger18

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Doing a lot of web searching I'm finding my problems sound a lot like a leaking lower crank shaft seal.
 
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roadranger18

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I'm far from a two stoke or carb mechanic lol. Dropped it off at the local boat mechanic today. He's pretty confident it's nothing major.
 
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