Merc 1985 150 not enough power to get up on plane

heybaylor

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 17, 2005
Messages
187
Re: Merc 1985 150 not enough power to get up on plane

Hookset , yes..the "idle control box "..<br />Thats what I call it .. <br /><br />I call the switchbox the "pair of boxes that fire the coils/plugs via the ignition pick-up
 

hookset56

Cadet
Joined
Jun 10, 2003
Messages
16
Re: Merc 1985 150 not enough power to get up on plane

Heybaylor,<br />Thanks for the reply. I will give a try, hope it solves my problem. I will let you know the results.
 

hookset56

Cadet
Joined
Jun 10, 2003
Messages
16
Re: Merc 1985 150 not enough power to get up on plane

Ok Ihave a Mercuey service manuel. I found the switch box and the oil control module, but I cannot find this idle "ignition" control module. Where is it located on a 1985 XR2 150hp. I am stumped. thanks
 

rodbolt

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
20,066
Re: Merc 1985 150 not enough power to get up on plane

hookset<br /> thats the nice thing about a merc. its how they skipped about, not all v motors had one.however if your model did and no one has removed it it should be mounted on the top of the bloch just aft of the flywheel cover. it will have a black wire a white/black wire and a red white wire.if your system uses an idle stabilizer it will have no affect on wot timming if operating normally. it will advance timing if engine speed falls belowabout 550 RPM.now is were we get funny.<br /> some of the xr's had lowspeed/high speed advance module that looks almost identical and is mounted in the same place as the idle stabilizer. you will need to look in the parts book by your engine seriel number to see which one you have or had.. and remember some mid year changes eliminated it altogether.<br /> mercs is like ramblers. ya never knew what ya had till ya opened the hood.
 

heybaylor

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jan 17, 2005
Messages
187
Re: Merc 1985 150 not enough power to get up on plane

If yours does not have a idle control box , then I would play with the "throttle pickup timing "<br />My 86 XR2 calls for 11 degrees After top dead center...<br />I found it runs a lot better by advancing to 8 degrees before tdc.. gives a little more rpm on<br />the "spark" before the carbs start to open<br /><br />Did rambler continue on to make the Yugo??...lol
 

Roger Urwin

Recruit
Joined
Jan 30, 2005
Messages
5
Re: Merc 1985 150 not enough power to get up on plane

This maybe of help, I found a perished bleed hose from the carburators which was leaking fuel. As soon as it was replaced the primer bulb felt firmer & the the motor ran like a dream, no more bogging down, full power on acceleration & able to get full throttle again. This problem had been getting worse, probably as the hose let more pressure out until it eventually split, leaking fuel & allowing me to see the problem. Cost a couple of bucks to fix & saved my sanity!
 

marcengillb

Cadet
Joined
Feb 20, 2005
Messages
22
Re: Merc 1985 150 not enough power to get up on plane

If your fuel line is sucking air where its pluged to the motor will it cause this problem?
 

prolinews

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Feb 1, 2005
Messages
165
Re: Merc 1985 150 not enough power to get up on plane

Does it run yet?
 

marcengillb

Cadet
Joined
Feb 20, 2005
Messages
22
Re: Merc 1985 150 not enough power to get up on plane

Yes,It runs good after it gets going,when i first put it in the water it want open up for about 100 yards.Also its a 16 ft ranger fisherman fiberglass with a 45 merc,what pitch prop would you sugest?The tach red lines at 6000.I seemes to do best when I dont pump the ball,If I do it floods.
 
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