9.8 mercury in garage for 20 years

[Ashley Phillips]

Just got the motor from the father in law. He had pulled the fuel line off and ran it out of gas before he stored it. I slowly pulled it a couple times and it turns over good.

Is there anything special that I need to do before I plug a fuel line up and try to crank it? I don't won't to mess anything up that could have been helped.
Thanks, Ashley

 

[Alumarine]

Re: 9.8 mercury in garage for 20 years

Welcome. Here's a link that might help you out.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=158086

Thanks for not babbling.

 

[turtles11756]

Re: 9.8 mercury in garage for 20 years

when you get it running make sure it's pumping water or it will overheat

 

[Ashley Phillips]

Re: 9.8 mercury in garage for 20 years

Thanks for the help. I bought a carb kit, put oil in the cylinder to lube it up and got an impeller for the pump but it's the wrong size. I will get another and fix it tomorrow.

Should I go ahead and rebuild the carb or just try to crank it first? I hate to spend the time and money on the carb without seeing if it will run first.

 

[SeaKaye12]

Re: 9.8 mercury in garage for 20 years

Ashley; I can pretty much guarantee you that it will run...assuming of course that it was in running condition when you FIL put it in the garage.

Simply sitting un-used for 20 years is not going to harm anything.

If I were you...here's what I would do:

(1) Make a visual inspection of the fuel lines that run from the connection on the engine to the fuel pump...and then the other line that goes from the pump to the carb. (If the pump is integral with the carb there will only be one line). If the fuel line(s) is cracked and leaking...you're going to have to replace it before you can proceed.

(2) Hook up a gas can that has fresh gas and oil in it (50:1 mix) . If this is the 20 year old tank that you're going to use...it's imperative that you insure that it's clean and that it's hose is OK as well.... Pressurize the fuel line with the squeeze-ball and check to see if the carb is leaking gas. If not...all is well enough to give it a test start.

(3) You say that you're planning on replacing the impeller. Thats fine if you want to...but it won't hurt anything to run the engine long enough with the old impeller to verify that it's pumping water. Replacing the impeller can come later.

(4) Place the lower unit in water; either on a stand or on a boat...and see if she'll start up. If it's like most motors coming out of storage...it should fire right up and run fine. Like a previous poster mentioned...verify that it's pumping water and if not; shut it down immediately and service the water pump.

Then; after you are convinced that it's going to be worth re-viving...you can proceed to service the carb and what-ever else becomes necessary.

Good luck; those are nice motors.

Chuck

 

[Ashley Phillips]

Re: 9.8 mercury in garage for 20 years

Will do

I will post results

Thanks

 

[Ashley Phillips]

Re: 9.8 mercury in garage for 20 years

Got the impeller put together and went to crank it. It would run for a few seconds but I had to open to full throttle and choke it to get it to do anything. I rebuilt the carb and put it back together. Now I can't get it to do anything expect backfire a little. Could it be out of time? Agrrrrrr

 

[starcraft1982]

Re: 9.8 mercury in garage for 20 years

I agree w/others and would definately REBUILD carb w/new gaskets,needles,seats and dont overlook the float.Old style will crack and"waterlog"w/gas.I am assuming that compression and spark all tested good before you start throwing any money its way?Also dont overlook the gas tank and lines.MAKE SURE VENT ON TANK IS OPEN.Sounds crazy,but youd be suprised how many times its been done on here!And replace the line,bulb,and connectors.good luck.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: 9.8 mercury in garage for 20 years

Also be sure to rebuild the fuel pump. Rubber deteriorates sitting for a long time and you don't want that stuff in your carbs.

 

[jbjennings]

Re: 9.8 mercury in garage for 20 years

I suspect your float needle is stuck closed, not allowing any fuel to get in your carb. Squirt some fuel mix into the carb throat and see if it will fire up. If so, you know you're not getting fuel. The timing is likely fine if the flywheel key isn't sheared and you haven't tampered with any of the stop screws.
Did you take off the spark plug wires? If so, then you may have them reversed---that will cause backfiring and no possibility of cranking.
JBJ

 

[Ashley Phillips]

Re: 9.8 mercury in garage for 20 years

I wondered about the needle sticking. The carb kit from NAPA had a rubber point on the end of the needle and it was not falling out like I thought it should. I will take it out and try the old one to see if it makes any difference. I will check the wires also.