How do I eliminate 2 cylinder shutoff on 125Hp Merc?

GlastronSF

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Dec 15, 2009
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6
I have a 1999 Mercury 125hp ELPTO. This motor has the feature that shuts off two cylinders at below approx. 2000rpm. I am looking to know if someone can direct me on how to eliminate this feature.

From what I have learned two of the carbs have different idle jets, but much more than that I am having trouble finding. It is oil injected, so I assume this ties into the equation.

Help is much appreciated.
Mark
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
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May 19, 2004
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27,468
Re: How do I eliminate 2 cylinder shutoff on 125Hp Merc?

The best advice to you is don't try and reinvent the wheel. Mercury built those engines to idle on 2 cylinders because they idle like crap on 4.

If you don't like the 2 cylinder to 4 cylinder transition, then change to a prop to one that gets the engine into the LOWER end of the max rpm at WOT.

Are you having problems or are you asking because 'someone' said it was a good idea?

Chris.........
 

GlastronSF

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Re: How do I eliminate 2 cylinder shutoff on 125Hp Merc?

I will touch wood while I say this... The motor runs very well. It is strong and I like the compact size that it has. I was looking to elimate the 2 cylinder feature figuring it would simplify the engine even more and make the mid range a little more enjoyable for cruising. We mainly ski so it is not the end of the world. I have just seen bits and pieces written here and there about people that have done it... just looking for someone to give the aftermath results.
 

achris

More fish than mountain goat
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May 19, 2004
Messages
27,468
Re: How do I eliminate 2 cylinder shutoff on 125Hp Merc?

Years ago I had a customer who wanted to do the same thing. I told him it was a silly idea, but he insisted. So I bought in two new carbs and fitted them. It idled like a pig. He was happy, for about a week. Bought the boat back to me to have the old carbs put back on. Then bitched because I didn't refund him on the new carbs.... :rolleyes:

If you want the transition to be less noticeable (when you're just cruising), then put a bigger prop on. This will now mean that you need 2 (at least) props. If you try and ski with the bigger prop you'll find the acceleration too slow (some people call it 'hole shot').

Chris.........
 

flyinbryan

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Jun 20, 2010
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Re: How do I eliminate 2 cylinder shutoff on 125Hp Merc?

I will touch wood while I say this... The motor runs very well. It is strong and I like the compact size that it has..

definitly what achris said.

i know someone with the same configured 125hp, and i must say its probably the smoothest idling 100hp+ motor ive ever seen (although i dont know if im the best judge of a smooth idle, being a 50hp triple owner) (funny side note on that subject, i used to tell my 10 year old son our 50 idled like that because it had a race cam in it, lol, hes 24 now)
 
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