Strange things are afoot at the Circle K

mwsumner

Cadet
Joined
Apr 3, 2008
Messages
7
This saga has been on hold for a couple of weeks now thanks to work, baseball, and well, you know, life. Several weeks ago my wife and I were tooling across the lake and something wasn't right with the boat. It wouldn't go above 2500 RPM. I got a little worried so I turned back towards the marina and we pulled up to a little island so I could get out of the traffic as it was Memorial Day weekend. Anyway, when i went to idle, the motor shut off. I tried to crank it for a second, but then, when I turned the key, nothing happened. No clicking, no turning, no nothing.

After poking around the next day, I finally figured out that the fuse in the engine had blown. So, I changed the fuse and at least then when I turned the key, the started turned, and turned, and turned, and then turned some more.

Finally. I was able to get a friend to help me get the boat out of the water and I brought it home to start troubleshooting why it wouldn't start. The motor wasn't making spark at the plugs. To make a long, stupid story short and stupid, when I was troubleshooting in the beginning I wanted to make sure it wasn't the kill switch so I bypassed it. But, alas, me being me, I bypassed it incorrectly. Now, the motor cranks and runs.

For those of you still reading, thanks, and finally, without further adieu, here are my questions: What would make the motor not make full power? What would make it blow the fuse? Should I put it in the water and see if that is still a problem (not making power, that is)? Should I sink the boat, collect the insurance money, and make bansai trees as a hobby?

The motor is ~ '87 Mariner 45hp outboard.

Thanks in advance,
Mike
 

mwsumner

Cadet
Joined
Apr 3, 2008
Messages
7
Update

Update

I took the boat out last night. It starts great, runs great, except it is very slow. The motor will not make over 2800 RPM and when I turn, it really bogs down and almost stops. It still runs fine, it just bogs down.

Any ideas?
 
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