150 HP Merc running like crap???

[Hagar17]

Pulled my '86 Exciter ('86 150 HP Merc XR2 Black Max) out two weekends ago. Ran great. Last weekend it ran great for about an hour, then wouldn't make power. Full throttle, it makes about 1500 rpm. Sounds like it's lugging really bad.

Checked the fuel filter. Looked clean, but changed it anyway. Plugs looked OK, but put in six new Autolites. Took it down to the river today and it ran the same (like crap).

Any ideas?

Russ

[Hagar17]

Pulled my '86 Exciter ('86 150 HP Merc XR2 Black Max) out two weekends ago. Ran great. Last weekend it ran great for about an hour, then wouldn't make power. Full throttle, it makes about 1500 rpm. Sounds like it's lugging really bad.

Checked the fuel filter. Looked clean, but changed it anyway. Plugs looked OK, but put in six new Autolites. Took it down to the river today and it ran the same (like crap).

Any ideas?

Russ

[175checkmate]

Do you have spark on all 6? Had this trouble with a 135 merc. Wound up being a switch box that was bad. Engine was only running on 3 cylinders.

[91 GTX]

DOES IT RUN GOOD IN NUETAL AND THEN RUN CRAPY WHEN YOU PUT IN GEAR?

[Chris]

I'll put this one over in "Ask The Experts" where all the tech gurus are. http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/thumb.gif

[jkeiper]

It could also be a stator or lack of fuel. I had a 115hp that one of the valves came loose in the primer bulb and restricted the fuel line. It would idle ok and if you idled long enough it would catch up filling the carb bowls back up. You would open it up again and it would run good for a short time and bog down again. Good Luck!

Jim

[Hagar17]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><font size="-1">quote:</font><HR>Originally posted by 91 GTX:
DOES IT RUN GOOD IN NUETAL AND THEN RUN CRAPY WHEN YOU PUT IN GEAR? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Yes. It runs good hooked up to the hose, but like !@#$ in gear. Runs OK in gear at idle/low power settings. Acts like it's not getting fuel, but it makes rpms when it's not under load, ie; in the yard.

Hope this helps.

[sonoma]

how old are your fuel lines , I have had a probleme before they were comming apart from the inside causing a black powder a blocking the fuel filters , you put a new filter on it blocks it right away , if your lines are old replace theme it cost me a lot before i found that problem . good luck

[Chris E]

I would think (without seeing of course), that you have switchbox woes - usually mercs have 2, one behind the other and they do fail. Having said that, do check out the fuel lines as well.

Now, not to alarm but, my next door neighbour at the cottage has an XR2 on a J-Craft and was complaining of loss of power. Pulled the hood off and found the oil line off the pump had become brittle and broke off. No oil to engine + no lubrication = no compression. This cost him $4500 - so much for the good deal on the boat. Anyway, the moral of the story: while you're under the hood seeing whats going on, check those oil lines and replace if they are hard and brittle. This should apply to anyone who owns an oil injected outboard.

[JUPITER PULSARE]

IT COULD BE A STATOR GOING BAD OR A BAD POWER PACK, STARBOARD SIDE OF THE MOTOR ON A XR-2.

[91 GTX]

I HAD THE SAME PROBLEM WITH A 200 MERC IT WAS THE STATER. WASN'T ADVANCING TOOK IT APART CLEANED IT UP RELUBED IT , RAN FINE AFTER .

[85Predictor]

http://checkmate-boats.com/6/ws/,s,8626072361/Graemlins/jpshakehead.gif
I had what sounds like a similar problem with an '87 Merc 115. It seemed to idle fine but had no power. Also had a strong gas oder when trying to power up. Bad stater and bad switch pack. Hope your problem is a cheaper fix!!

[Hagar17]

Alright dudes, think I found the problem. Top carb high speed jet was clogged up. Cleaned them up, boat ran like a top. Some of the gaskets look kind of raggedy, so I'm gonna rebuild the carbs this weekend. Thanks for all of the advice.

Russ