25hp Mercury 1980, need some help

[tcampbell011]

Howdy, I was out in my boat last weekend and didn't see a log in the middle of the lake. My motor hit the log, breaking the prop and kicking the motor out of the water. About 20sec after restarting the motor it died. In order to get it to start again I had to open the choke all the way. It would still die after 20 seconds. After about 10 minutes trying to start it, my friend and I thought we were in some deep s---. Finally I tried squeezing the gas "pumper" on the hose and the motor would run normally. Thats how I got back to the boat ramp.

I honestly don't know a thing about outboard motors. I figured this might be an opportunity to learn a thing or two.

Does this issue sound like a fuel pump? any guidance would be appreciated!

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: 25hp Mercury 1980, need some help

Did you have to keep pumping the bulb to make it to shore?
actually hitting something and fuel proplems really should not be a problem. unless when the motor came UP something got tweaked.
That motor is one the best they made. Believe Me I own a couple.
I like your thought process about learning a thing or two

 

[tcampbell011]

Re: 25hp Mercury 1980, need some help

Yes I had to keep pumping the bulb. When I would stop pumping the motor would die. I really like the motor, hoping I can learn to repair it.

I will open it up and see if theres anything obvious...

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: 25hp Mercury 1980, need some help

Fuel pump would be my first guess. Pump the bulb and make sure there i No leaks.
It is So hard to diagnose problems from a computer.???

 

[tcampbell011]

Re: 25hp Mercury 1980, need some help

if it is the fuel pump, do you know a ballpark price for a new one?

also do you have any info on the correct prop?

I'm going to read up on the general outboard info and see if I can't learn something. I appreciate the responses!

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: 25hp Mercury 1980, need some help

rebuild kit is like 15 bucks. But I'm not saying that is the problem.
Missoula, Mt is a nice city. Leaving town someone will chime in.

 

[tcampbell011]

Re: 25hp Mercury 1980, need some help

Yeah I love it here! Although it was snowing yesterday...

Yeah I just started researching it and looking through manuals and it seems like fuel problems can be a lot of different things.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: 25hp Mercury 1980, need some help

Tc If you can find and OEM Merc Manual on Ebay For that motor. Serial number is a must.
You wil be happier than a pig in sh#it.