84 merc starved for gas?

[mercerfisherman]

Hi. I own a 1984 merc... 50 hp. My mechanic gave the engine a tune-up last fall. I also replaced the primer bulb with a new Atwood primer bulb (any good?) However I did not replace the original fuel lines. This weekend, my boat started easy and seem to idle fine... but after a minute or too in forward at slow sppeds, the engine will lose power and die... and kept dying after retarting and cruising again at slow speeds. (I fish on a flowage so most of the time I have to be in slow gear due to stumps). I had to keep telling my son to squeeze the primer bulb when I could hear the engine dying in order to keep going. Old fuel line? Bad primer bulb? Clog in fuel line? Improper gas/oil mixture? Any advice would help. Thanx -- mercerfisherman

 

[waynob]

Re: 84 merc starved for gas?

Hi. I own a 1984 merc... 50 hp. My mechanic gave the engine a tune-up last fall. I also replaced the primer bulb with a new Atwood primer bulb (any good?) However I did not replace the original fuel lines. This weekend, my boat started easy and seem to idle fine... but after a minute or too in forward at slow sppeds, the engine will lose power and die... and kept dying after retarting and cruising again at slow speeds. (I fish on a flowage so most of the time I have to be in slow gear due to stumps). I had to keep telling my son to squeeze the primer bulb when I could hear the engine dying in order to keep going. Old fuel line? Bad primer bulb? Clog in fuel line? Improper gas/oil mixture? Any advice would help. Thanx -- mercerfisherman

 

[waynob]

Re: 84 merc starved for gas?

I've had similar problems with my Mercury and found that two items were critical. The fuel tank has to be venting properly or the fuel will not flow. The most important repair for me was that the fuel lines and connections had to be absolutely leakproof or air will enter the lines. I took apart each connection in the fuel line from the tank to the motor and put teflon tape on each connection and tightened them well. I never said "squeeze the bulb" again.

 

[rickdb1boat]

Re: 84 merc starved for gas?

And if all is well that waynob mentions, the fuel pump would be suspect if you can keep it going by pumping the primer bulb. In effect, your Son became the fuel pump by supplying a continuous flow of fuel to the carbs by squeezing the bulb. Attwood bulbs are not my favorite. Merc(Quicksilver) would be a better choice .....Check all your fuel line connections, fuel tank pick-up, connectors and then look for a bad pump...

 

[mercerfisherman]

Re: 84 merc starved for gas?

Thanks all. I appreciate it.