Page 1 of 2

outboard cutting out

Posted: June 14th, 2010, 9:37 am
by Breambuster
My Merc 90 2-stroke cut out several times while running around in the flats last weekend. It would bog down for just a second or two and then picked back up again. It happened 3 times on the run back in shore, a 7-8 miles run, was okay on the short run around in the flats between drifts but happened once more when we head in, about 7 miles run.

Anyone has a similar experience? Could it be just water in the fuel or could it be something more serious?

Had the carb cleaned early last year due to fuel line breaking down and some rubbery stuffed ended up in the fuel pump and carb. Also, the fuel water separator was replaced about a month ago when I took it in for annual maintenance.

Re: outboard cutting out

Posted: June 14th, 2010, 9:54 am
by mpa_72001
possible ehtanol if it sat up maybe needing some ethanol treatment?

Re: outboard cutting out

Posted: June 14th, 2010, 10:24 am
by Warrior
Sounds like it may have went into guardian maybe grassed up.Can you hear your alarm beeper?

Re: outboard cutting out

Posted: June 14th, 2010, 11:16 am
by red_yakker
Warrior wrote:Sounds like it may have went into guardian maybe grassed up.Can you hear your alarm beeper?
My thoughts exactly. There is an awful lot of grass out there right now. Hopefully it's nothing more serious.

Re: outboard cutting out

Posted: June 14th, 2010, 11:37 am
by Spot on
I am no outboard mechanic, but i had the same thing happen on my boat last time i was out (about 3 weeks ago) I chalked it up to grass and still believe it was, but when i was doing some pm on it last week i found a pin hole in the fuel-water seperator filter. I don't know if the pin hole could or did cause this problem but i still think it was the grass, hopefully that is what you had.

Re: outboard cutting out

Posted: June 14th, 2010, 12:30 pm
by Tom Keels
It's either overheating or water in the gas.

Re: outboard cutting out

Posted: June 14th, 2010, 2:58 pm
by Breambuster
thanks for the reply. Yes there were a lot of floating grass but didnt think this is the case as there were not a whole lot of grass when it first happened. No, I didnt hear any alarm either and the engine was "peeing" fine.

Assuming it was due to water, what should I do. Pull out the fuel-water separator to check for water, and possible replace a new one. Add fuel treatment such as Starton. What else can I do? The marina at Perry and Albany are backed up for 2 weeks and I'm planning to take the family out on the opening of scalloping this weekend.

Re: outboard cutting out

Posted: June 14th, 2010, 3:52 pm
by wevans
Check the water seperator and put Sea Foam in the tank :thumbup: :beer:

Re: outboard cutting out

Posted: June 14th, 2010, 4:00 pm
by What a mess
I had non stop troubles started blue stabil & a seperator no worries.

Re: outboard cutting out

Posted: June 14th, 2010, 9:05 pm
by onefishtwofish
I had similar problem. Does it idle okay but want to cut out under a load? merc lines turn to silicone mush with ethanol. Check your filter and separator. It will look like elmer's glue was squirted in there.

Ooops, did not read your whole thread. Was your line replaced with non-merc stuff? If so, sounds more like water, but I ain't no mechanic.

Re: outboard cutting out

Posted: June 15th, 2010, 5:04 pm
by Hit-n-Miss
wevans wrote:Check the water seperator and put Sea Foam in the tank :thumbup: :beer:
What he said. :-D

Re: outboard cutting out

Posted: June 15th, 2010, 5:35 pm
by culrich
Yeah, mine (F115 Yamaha) cut off several times this past weekend. I took it to Wefings for a check up, I hope its nothing major.

Re: outboard cutting out

Posted: June 15th, 2010, 8:48 pm
by Breambuster
Plan to do the following this coming friday:
1) replace fuel water separator
2) replace fuel filter
3) add sea form to tank
4) fuel up with non-ethanol fuel at the KB marina
5) go fishing

Hopefully, this will take care of the problem, and okay to take the family scalloping on Saturday. The kids are really looking forward to the trip.

Culrich, please share with us what the mechanic at Wefings found out about your ourboard.

Re: outboard cutting out

Posted: June 15th, 2010, 8:51 pm
by Jumptrout51
#6.Take out a SEATOW membership.

Re: outboard cutting out

Posted: June 15th, 2010, 8:54 pm
by Breambuster
have been a member since 08.