motor trouble

needsomehelp

Cadet
Joined
Apr 9, 2009
Messages
7
I have a 1996 Mercury 60 hp outboard. It revs up fine as long as it is in nuetral however as soon as I put it in gear the motor bogs down as though it is in a bind or not getting enough fuel. This happened shortly after my brother mixed oil with the gas, this would not be such a bad thing normally except my motor has a seperate oil reservoir and injects the oil itself. I have changed the plugs drained the mixed gas and put some high octane gas in and a bottle of sea foam, I have also changed the fuel filter. Anybody got any other ideas any and all help would be greatly appreciated. Was also wondering if anyone knew what size prop to use to gain top end speed.
 
Last edited:

airframer

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Nov 10, 2007
Messages
158
Re: motor trouble

Please click one of the Quick Reply icons in the posts above to activate Quick Reply.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: motor trouble

It is only pretending to "rev up fine" in Neutral. It is probably running on one cylinder.
 

needsomehelp

Cadet
Joined
Apr 9, 2009
Messages
7
Re: motor trouble

How can I tell if it is running on one cylinder? What can i do to fix it and what causes this. The only thing I can think of is spark plugs or plug wires.
 

JB

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Mar 25, 2001
Messages
45,907
Re: motor trouble

You can tell if it is running on one and which one it is by disabling each spark plug, one at a time, while it is idling.

To fix it you must first determine why the "dead" cylinder is not making power.

You seem to be a fellow who can use a Service Manual, but shouldn't mess with the engine until you have and have studied one.

Good luck, and let us know what you find. :)
 

needsomehelp

Cadet
Joined
Apr 9, 2009
Messages
7
Re: motor trouble

Thanks for the help. The first cylinder I checked was not firing. It was a very simple fix, the spark plug wire came unplugged from the power head. Plugged it back in and the boat runs like a champ. Again thanks for the help I would have never thought that a dead cylinder would have caused it to run that way.
 
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