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6 HP Merc keeps dying under load

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windwalker

New member
"Hello to all. I am new to thi

"Hello to all. I am new to this list and have a problem. I have a 2001 Merc 6 HP,1 cyl, 4 stroke engine. It is used on a sailboat and have only had 7 or 8 gallons of gas run through it since I bought it new. It starts and idles but when I put it in gear it runs for a bit then dies. Re-starting is difficult but finally does and repeats the above. I have replaced the gas, checked for line leaks, changed the filter (thought that was it but now it is back) added water additive (heat) thinking moisture was a possibility. Now I am out of ideas. Great little engine really pushes around the 5000 pound sailboat. Any ideas woulds be greatly appreciated."
 
sounds like it is running out

sounds like it is running out of fuel. May need carb rebuilt. Has it been awill since used last. Did it just start acting up.
 
"Hi Tim, I use the engine ever

"Hi Tim, I use the engine every week or two but just to get out of a slip and clear the harbor. Thought is was fuel problem also but with the new filter the primer bulb has pressure when the engine dies. Also there fuel is in the filter housing. I don't think that rain water has entered the engine and into the carbruator. Something else I noted and failed to post is that when the engine is running I noticed that there are a lot of air bubbles coming out of the little round plastic disc on the right side of the lower unit. Don't know if that is normal or not. Thought the prop exhaust had all the discharge."
 
As a follow up on my engine th

As a follow up on my engine the problem is solved. My dealer thought it was a fuel problem too but everything checked out OK. The end result after $101 in labor and parts was a cracked ground wire. Go figure!
 
"Tim & James,
i just boug

"Tim & James,
i just bought a used 6hp 4 stroke mercury, the guy i bought from told me that the outboard was drop in the sea water back in july, and i just bought a couple days ago.He told me that it just need a new fuel pumps, change it still it would not fire up.After doing some more cleaning to the motor i notice there was alot of lime build up in the old fuel pumps so i took the carburetor aparts and there was alot of sand,salt build up, and a whole lot of other craps in there.After cleaning it and putting back togather,i try to start it again and it would not even fire up.Took it apart again and i notice there was no fuel going into the carburetor,end up dismantle the whole thing.
i just just order a new carburetor,my question is "is that going to solve my problem?""
 
If there was salt and sand in

If there was salt and sand in the carburetor I suspect it might have been running when it went in the water. If so the entire engine should have been taken apart to clean at that point in time. Maybe a dealer could help you? These are Tohatsu engines made for Mercury and are very fine little engines. I think in 2003 or 04 Merc. started to make their own. Check your fuel lines to make sure it is being pumped into the carburetor. Start at the tank and go forward to the engine.
 
"James is absolutely right. Th

"James is absolutely right. There is a very specific proceedure that needs to be followed following a total submersion. It sounds like it was not followed (or not done correctly at the very least) and at this point you may require a complete tear down of the power head to salvage the motor.

And yes, all the small 4 strokes in the Merc line are built by Tohatsu so either a Merc or Tohatsu (or Nissan for that matter which are also built by Tohatsu) dealer could possibly assist you with parts or service.

However, that could become quite expensive and the cost of service could quickly total up to more than the cost of a new motor. You may simply want to get an opinion then grab yourself a service manual and turn it into a project..."
 
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