Mercury 6HP 4-stroke - Is it worth trying to fix?

slc123

Recruit
Joined
Jan 3, 2022
Messages
3
Hi all, based in Denmark and new to the forum and outboard motors in general.
I've come into possession of a Mercury 6HP 4-stroke, which has suffered some damage after the boat capsized and by the looks of things the motor was dragged about through sand and stone.
After studying the parts and maintenance manuals and many youTube tutorials, I've pieced together what's missing/broken and what parts I need to replace. There is a few larger/expensive pieces required:

- New carb
- Igniter assembly
- Bottom cowl

The rest is mostly hoses, clips etc.

I had to remove the recoil starter to clean underneath and on inspection I had to take this apart as there was a lot of debris in it. Again, I think I can clean it and worst case its not an expensive replacement if required. What I have noticed though is that the flywheel seems to have debris in it as well. I still need to take this off an investigate to see how bad that is too.

My question is, based on what I've found so far am I just fighting a loosing battle and the engine is likely in a really bad state and not worth fixing. The parts I've spec'd so far equate to about half of what I could buy another second hand motor of a similar age/quality for. Obviously there is the benefit of the learning by trying to fix it, which I would like to do, but could always learn on something else with more regular maintenance.

Any thoughts appreciated.
 

Sea Rider

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
12,345
If yours looks like this one although some parts as the shift lever, upper cowl, etc could vary, it's a rebadged 4 stroke 6 HP Tohatsu motor.

6 HP 4 StrokeTohatsu Motor.JPG

As a starter, this motor was run in fresh or salt water which will account for extra damage ? No need to buy a new carb, just clean well all its internal parts, the igniter should be tested once the motor is ready to be started, what about the bottom cowl, what's wrong with it ? Posting pics will help.

Happy Boating
 

slc123

Recruit
Joined
Jan 3, 2022
Messages
3
If yours looks like this one although some parts as the shift lever, upper cowl, etc could vary, it's a rebadged 4 stroke 6 HP Tohatsu motor.

View attachment 354430

As a starter, this motor was run in fresh or salt water which will account for extra damage ? No need to buy a new carb, just clean well all its internal parts, the igniter should be tested once the motor is ready to be started, what about the bottom cowl, what's wrong with it ? Posting pics will help.

Happy Boating
Thanks, yes it looks more or less the same.
The inside of the motor seem to take some physical damage. For example the plastic lever on the top of the carb that’s connected with to the throttle linkage has snapped off, I’m told you can’t buy that part separately so need the new carb. The igniter assembly also has something snapped off it. The bottom cowl has a hole on one side next to the tiller.

It’s always been run in salt water.

I’ll take a few pics and post them up.

Thanks
 

Sea Rider

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
12,345
Salt water is an unforgiving environment, a capsized motor dragged thru sand it's bad music. Is the motor already seized or has a hard resistance feel while pulling the rope ? A capsized motor should be flushed with fresh water inmediately after it's recovered, with sand intrusion generally need to tear the whole powerhead appart to clean all internal parts, check, change all bearings.

Happy Boating
 
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