Do I need new reeds?

[halschmidt]

I have a 1995 115 hp Merc outboard that starts and then dies and would not keep running. I tried starting it in my driveway and found fuel coming out of the carbs. I tore it down and checked the float levels on 2 of the carbs and they were correct. I then pulled the reed plates off and inspected one set of reeds and I see nothing wrong with them. Maybe they just need cleaning?.

Please advise

 

[halschmidt]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

I uploaded a photo of the reeds

 

[halschmidt]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

I held the reeds and reed plate up to a strong light and some them were not closing all the way. So I think I am close to answering my own question, but it would be nice to have a confirmation by someone with some experience.

 

[BonairII]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

If they're somewhat cheap, go for it and buy a new set for your own peace of mind.

If not, I believe your existing reeds can be massaged/adjusted to close completely. I've never done it myself, though so I'll be of no help.

 

[halschmidt]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

A new set costs around $150, so that is not cheap on my budget

 

[halschmidt]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

I went to the local Mercury dealer, showed him the reeds and he said they look OK and it was most likely the float valves were not closing correctly, he recommend rebuilding the carbs. He said bad reeds could not cause gas to spew out of the carbs. So I bought gasket sets for $25.30. He could have sold me $150 worth of reeds. I hope he is right.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

Reed valves hardly ever go bad. The dealer was honest, which is good. Make sure the carb floats are good as well.

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

Good dealer. clean and rebuild the carbs.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

Indeed, fuel spewing out of carbs is usually due to either floats set incorrectly or bad (cracked, full of fuel, won't float) or worn needle and/or seat.

Usually when this happens, the primer bulb never gets fully hard while squeezing, also. Have you noticed that?

 

[halschmidt]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

I uploaded a picture of the needle

 

[ajgraz]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

Lighting and focus aren't perfect in the pic, but I do see some concentric rings in the tip. Suggests that maybe the needle is worn.

When's the last time the carbs were done? Ever have an issue with the primer bulb not getting fully hard when squeezing to prime?

 

[halschmidt]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

I have noticed that the bulb does not get very hard, and as far as I know nothing has ever been done to the carbs. I bought the boat at an auction from the Oklahoma wild life Department for $2000, 6 years ago. They said it leaked, so everyone was afraid of it and it turned out to be a plastic fitting ($1.50) on the inlet for the live well. The engine is worth more than I paid. I should get the parts tomorrow. Thanks for all the help

 

[1nebel0]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

As mentioned reeds don't go bad often.. I replace the metal reeds with fiber reeds in all my motors..Chris Carson makes good reeds...$125...I have seen what happens when a metal reed goes through your motor....Get a sierra kit that has the needle and seat in it...Mercury will kill you on the price... I don't buy any other Sierra part except carb kits.....

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

First do a compression test.
Then check the fuel pump diaphram.
Clean the carbs.

 

[hotrod53]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

I have never done anything with outboard reeds, but in the 2 stroke dirtbike world, if it wasn't cracked and if it seated against the reed block, it was fine. We used to even turn them over if they didn't fit tight against the block. As previously said, it has nothing to do with carbs running over.

I'm suprised that performance reeds aren't part of what they do with outboards. On bikes we had replacement 2 stage reeds that made a huge difference in performance. Some were stainless like an outboard, some were softer and made of fiber. Of course we take them apart every year, unlike an outboard (if you're lucky).

My Tillotson carbs leaked like crazy when I re-awakened my motor after 13 years. New blue inlet pieces were key, new bowl gaskets, a couple of new O rings, all contributed to stopping the leaks.

 

[halschmidt]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

The dealer charged me $11 each for the new needles, which was a new part number, the old part number needle was $7, just a price increase. This is high but they helped me out with good advice and I have been doing business with them for years. You get what you pay for. The carbs are rebuilt and tomorrow I will but the motor back together, unless I win the lottery, In which case I will just buy a new boat.

 

[halschmidt]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

It is back together. I bled the oil line and started it up and the alarm continued to sound. I bled some more oil out and restarted it and I keep getting the oil alarm. Now I do not know what to do. All the lines are connected but I will double check that. Is there any other reason the alarm is still sounding? Please Help

 

[halschmidt]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

I removed the oil tank and disconnected the sensor switch and the alarm stopped. I reconnected it again and the alarm resumed (after turning the key on) I assume this means that the sensor is bad, correct

 

[SaltlifeDan]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

Has the fuel stopped dumping out of the carbs?
Was the oil alarm going off prior to you working on your carbs, I read over all of your posts and did not read anything about the oil alarm going off. Double check all of the work you did maybe you pinched the wire going to the oil levele alarm?

 

[halschmidt]

Re: Do I need new reeds?

The alarm did not go off before. The sensor might have gotten banged around and just went out, No pinched wire, engine runs, but still did not start easy, but it has not been run for about 3 months. The sensor is connected to the bottom of the oil tank and has two connectors going to it and it is easy to replace, I should be able to pick one up in Tulsa for about $17, so I will know for sure when I replace it