just picked up a 2008 unit with 115 efi merc on the back. The precious owner JUST got it back from the shop, and was selling to pay a $3600 repair bill from overheating it. He decided to warm it up on his lift... oye! Mechanic said everything melted was replaced, along with batteries, bilge, and some other non-related things. Supposedly running well when it left the shop, but due to a severe thunderstorm I was unable to test drive. Price was excellent, so I was willing to take a chance.
Anyhow, first test drive went just OK. Slow getting out of the hole, but seems to run well when it finally gets on step. No water in hull, oil level seemed a bit high (although it was tilted up prior to checking). Plugs were replaced. Prop is sane as had been on since factory so I'm doubting pitch is the problem. Played with trim a bit. 3rd time out of the hole was a bit better, but still sluggish. Good compression x4. Just wondering if anyone out there has some ideas of where I could start, aside from "breaking it in" and possibly causing more damage if something is awry. Never run a merc 4-strike prior to this. Seems to be a slight hissing when under light load. And upon shutdown, a very brief "blow off" similar to the sound of you let air out of a valve stem. Fuel tank was nearly empty when I got it, and filled 'er up to the top with fresh fuel. So I'd be surprised if it was bad fuel/supply. Motor was bogging a touch when playing with trim at idle... could a weak battery or power draw be enough to prevent EFI from functioning at optimal levels? I'm not new to boats, I've run Yamaha, Honda, evinrude, Johnson in the past. And I fix 2-strokes as projects (about 1/year). But under the hood is much more complicated than a simple carb rebuild and impeller replacement.
Looking to try the easier/cheaper fixes before searching for a replacement. Motor had extremely low hours, due to a novice owner. So I'm not willing to give up on it without a bit of a fight.
Any/all suggestions are appreciated.
Anyhow, first test drive went just OK. Slow getting out of the hole, but seems to run well when it finally gets on step. No water in hull, oil level seemed a bit high (although it was tilted up prior to checking). Plugs were replaced. Prop is sane as had been on since factory so I'm doubting pitch is the problem. Played with trim a bit. 3rd time out of the hole was a bit better, but still sluggish. Good compression x4. Just wondering if anyone out there has some ideas of where I could start, aside from "breaking it in" and possibly causing more damage if something is awry. Never run a merc 4-strike prior to this. Seems to be a slight hissing when under light load. And upon shutdown, a very brief "blow off" similar to the sound of you let air out of a valve stem. Fuel tank was nearly empty when I got it, and filled 'er up to the top with fresh fuel. So I'd be surprised if it was bad fuel/supply. Motor was bogging a touch when playing with trim at idle... could a weak battery or power draw be enough to prevent EFI from functioning at optimal levels? I'm not new to boats, I've run Yamaha, Honda, evinrude, Johnson in the past. And I fix 2-strokes as projects (about 1/year). But under the hood is much more complicated than a simple carb rebuild and impeller replacement.
Looking to try the easier/cheaper fixes before searching for a replacement. Motor had extremely low hours, due to a novice owner. So I'm not willing to give up on it without a bit of a fight.
Any/all suggestions are appreciated.