Stray hose on '96 Mercury 115

[catchesbass]

My motor is idling really rough and barely stays running at low speeds (just beyond idle like when putting it on trailer). Sometimeswhen I engage the throttle it dies unless I do it really fast to get past that slowest speed. I have had it in the shop twice and they say everything fine and that is supposed to run that way. I am questioning that. I have had several Mercs over the years and this is the first one to do this. Also, when I get off the water, there is gas/oil all over the engine and gas/oil is puddled up in the engine compartment. I know Merc notoriously leak when tiltedbut this one does it when it is running and it is really bad when tilted. I did find this hose that is just hanging there just to the left of the oil tank. It is attached the a "T" with two other hoses and even has a brass fitting on the end that looks like it Is it supposed to be attached to anothet hose. Is the hose supposed to be just hanging there that way or did the techs at the shop forget to attach it somewhere? Also, can a bad oil tank cap cause this rough running? I do need one of those. I can only fill my oil tank up half way or it all leaks out when I tilt the engine. Anyway, here are the pics. Thanks ya'll!!

 

[catchesbass]

Re: Stray hose on '96 Mercury 115

Sorry for the double post. I tried to attach a pic but it was too big but some how it double posted. Sorry.

 

[gss036]

Re: Stray hose on '96 Mercury 115

I am surprised that you are not getting an (low) oil alarm.
If you need an oil cap, spend the $50 and get one before you blow your engine. You just do not want to neglect your oil injection system as it is the heart of your engine.
As far as the loose line you are referring to, that is connected to the "T" which is a 2 psi check valve, (just replaced mine as it was leaking). You can check it by drilling a hole in the cap of a clear small water bottle & attacht it to see if it collects any oil, if so replace it, about $20.00.
Do yourself a favor and pull your air baffle and pump up your primer bulb and see if gas comes out through the carbs. It should pump firm, if not it may be just pushing gas through one or more carb. Tilt the motor and look to see if it actually leaking when tilted. Then you will need to rebuild your carbs as the float seat is not shutting off the flow of gas.
Check your fuel oil lines from the fuel pump and oil pump, they have been know to fail and when they do, there will not be any type alarm until you motr seizes from lack of oil and feezes up from overheating.
Until you do these things you are playing guessing game and we cannot do much to help you on that.