Need some help getting my black max 135 running

hanly2

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Jul 30, 2006
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I just started working on my boat after a few years sitting and I can get the motor to start but only when the idle lever is up. When I try to put it all the way down and let the motor idle it stalls out. I think it might need the carbs rebuilt but not sure. Can I take the bowls apart and clean the carbs out without removing them completely from the motor? Also the trim will not go up or down when I press the button all I hear is a click. Right now it is in the full down position. Could it be that the battery is dead or is it a bigger problem? I'll take any help I can get give me some suggestions please.
Dave
 

DVL

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May 2, 2008
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Re: Need some help getting my black max 135 running

I had my 1994 150 Black Max sit for 5 years and I had the same problem with my tilt. I ended up manually raising the motor and out of frustration I gave the electric motor a rap with a dead blow hammer and the tilt started working. I think the brushes in the tilt motor had just seized up,worked fine all season. As for the carbs. you will have to remove them.
 

hanly2

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Re: Need some help getting my black max 135 running

How did you manually raise the motor and where is the electric motor at?
thanks, I have a lot to learn still.
Dave
 

DVL

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Re: Need some help getting my black max 135 running

On the starboard side of the motor mounts there is a hole . You should see a screw head. Turn it out about 3 to4 turns and lift the motor, when you tighten the screw back up make it just snug as the screw is just plastic and if you brake the head you will have to replace it . Had to replace mine this year. Plastic screw with 3 o rings $50.00
 

DVL

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Re: Need some help getting my black max 135 running

Sorry forgot the electric motor is on starboard side between motor mounts .I don't know if yours is round or square but has the wires coming out.
 

Chris1956

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Re: Need some help getting my black max 135 running

Dave, You might post the year of the motor. Is it a V6?

Normally the behavior you describe is caused by carbs or misadjusted idle mixtures. You will likely need to pull each carb and clean it thorughly.
 

hanly2

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Re: Need some help getting my black max 135 running

Yes it is a V6 1989 actually. I had some one tell me that they would rebuild the carbs for $400 then I found carb kits online for $6. Is that really possible?
 

frustratedboater

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Jul 10, 2007
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Re: Need some help getting my black max 135 running

The idling problem is most-likely carburetion issues from sitting. As far as the price, I think that seems a little high. Carb kits (3 carbs, I believe you will have) should run you about $40-60ish for the motor (It's been a while since I've done merc's). If the problem is the fuel pump, then an additional $50-60 is expected. If you are a 'tad bit savvy' with motors, you can most likely do the rebuild yourself. Compressed air is the key to blow out the 'gook' from the fuel circuit. Do you feel comfortable doing that?
 

hkeiner

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Re: Need some help getting my black max 135 running

I found carb kits online for $6

Please note that carb kits may include only the gaskets, especially if the kits only costs $6. You may want to also consider getting a valve seat kit and a new float while you are at it, which would have to be ordered extra. I didn't know this the first time I rebuilt/cleaned my carbs and had to stop my project in the middle of it until the extra parts arrived by mail. Replacing these additional parts is not always necessary for a cleaning, but I figure it is a good idea to replace them on an older motor since they have to be removed for carb cleaning anyway.

Just a thought...
 

j_martin

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Re: Need some help getting my black max 135 running

Please note that carb kits may include only the gaskets, especially if the kits only costs $6. You may want to also consider getting a valve seat kit and a new float while you are at it, which would have to be ordered extra. I didn't know this the first time I rebuilt/cleaned my carbs and had to stop my project in the middle of it until the extra parts arrived by mail. Replacing these additional parts is not always necessary for a cleaning, but I figure it is a good idea to replace them on an older motor since they have to be removed for carb cleaning anyway.

Just a thought...

Early Merc Carbs had foam floats, most of which sunk when gasohol hit the market. The hard plastic floats are so durned reliable that there is no replacement market for them, so nobody makes them. One MFG has them in the catalog, and doesn't make them. The needles and seats are also very reliable and usually reusable.

Believe it or not, beside float adjustment and things plugging up, about the only part that fails is the center foat bowl gasket.

Go for it. If you have foam floats, go buy another set of carbs for parts on eBay.

hope it helps
John
 

hanly2

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Re: Need some help getting my black max 135 running

I just rebuilt the carbs on my old motorcycle so I am not too afraid to try the boat ones I was just worried about the synching situation. So I should buy the $6 kits and go ahead and rebuild them then? I have no problem using some compressed air to blow them out. Is there any rubber baffles or anything in there I need to worry about blowing out?
 

j_martin

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Re: Need some help getting my black max 135 running

I just rebuilt the carbs on my old motorcycle so I am not too afraid to try the boat ones I was just worried about the synching situation. So I should buy the $6 kits and go ahead and rebuild them then? I have no problem using some compressed air to blow them out. Is there any rubber baffles or anything in there I need to worry about blowing out?

Ever try to find one of those rubber needle valve seats blown out of a lawnmower carb.

The Mercury carbs are simple. Big thing is don't forget to snug things down, and get the bowl screws evenly tightened.

Link-n-sync, likewise, is straightforward. The trick is to follow the procedure in order. Most adjustments rely on preceding adjustments being correct. Once done, it'll start, and tweak easily.

hope it helps
John
 

hanly2

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Jul 30, 2006
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Re: Need some help getting my black max 135 running

I took the carbs off and cleaned them all out. and put them back on. Well don't you know it started right up and idles pretty good now. It backfires once in a while but thats it. Now I have to put it in the water and see if it will run in gear. thanks for all the help. Oh and one more question what rpm should it idle at?
 

j_martin

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Re: Need some help getting my black max 135 running

It should idle a little under 1000 rpm. If you can get it to idle at 700, and go when you hit it, that's great. Odds are with an older engine you'll have to let it spin a bit.

Depth of the engine in the water greatly affects idle, so it has to be set on the boat in the lake. Be sure to check throttle cable adjustment after you change the idle setting. Those adjustments affect each other.

Back fire (probably what we call a lean sneeze) is probably caused by one slightly low float. With the covers off, you should see the spray (sneeze) from the carb that's doing it.

It could be caused by any other thing that would lean out that cylinder, like carb base gasket, bleed line check valve, reed plate gasket, etc.

hope it helps.
John
 
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