Starts, idles, but no power.

[rikoshaprl]

Thanks to this forum I was able to troubleshoot my 150 Hp, 1988 Merc. I thought I would share what happened. The engine started okay, and ran at very low speed. The problem was that when I tried to accelerate it would stall. I know nothing about outboards so I turned to this forum. I pulled the boat out of the water. I started the engine and pulled one wire at a time off each spark plug. I found that 3 of the six plugs were not getting spark. I tested the stator with an ohm meter as the manual said. It was bad. I had to buy a flywheel puller. Removed the flywheel, changed the stator. I changed the trigger too while I had it all apart. I also changed the rectifier, thinking I had it all covered. I tried to start it..ng. It only backfired. Took the flywheel back off. There appeared to be two keyed notches on the shaft. (I had only seen one the first time) Really though one was caused by damage I guess from a previous repair. I re-installed the flywheel onto the correct keyed notch. Started right up. However, the 3 sparkplugs still had no spark. I then changed the switchbox associated with those plugs. Started it up again. Only one plug had no spark. Turns out that one coil was also burned out. Changed that and everything is ok.

 

[Fuzzytbay]

Re: Starts, idles, but no power.

Good Job, always good to read an outcome to a problem.

 

[bassman14]

Re: Starts, idles, but no power.

rikoshaprl,

it appears i have the same problems, how hard of a job was it? i am above average mechanic.

 

[rikoshaprl]

Re: Starts, idles, but no power.

bassman,
Just make sure you get the flywheel puller. I actually made a tool to take the bolt off the flywheel, but you still need the flywheel puller to "pop" it off. All the other work is just being careful with the wiring...remove one wire, install one wire. You can do it.
I want to know how to catch more Stripers.
Rick