Repairing Guides

how to repair mercury outboard motor

by Dr. Ariane Larson DVM Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago
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You’ll need only four tools for this repair: a torque wrench, spark plug socket, dielectric grease, and spark plugs. Disconnect the negative terminal from the battery and remove the spark plug boots. With your engine in neutral (and your keys safely out of the ignition), use the torque wrench and spark plug socket to remove the plugs.

Full Answer

How to unclog an outboard motor?

clinker, see if there is a blanking plug into the water jacket at a high point on the engine or remove thermostat housing. pour neat vinegar into the opening and if it takes an easy route out block it off with gaffa tape or similar. depending on location of blockage the vinegar may come out at exhaust or water inlet near prop.the idea is to fill the water jacket with the vinegar and leave for a couple of days.

How to change the oil on a Mercury outboard motor?

Outboard Lower Unit Oil Changes: What You Need, How to Do It, How Often, and What It Costs

  • New lower unit oil
  • Drain pan
  • Lower unit oil pump
  • Replacement sealing washers and O-rings for vent plug and drain screws
  • Large, flat-head screwdriver
  • Disposable gloves To help clean up any potential spills, you should also keep several clean rags nearby. ...
  • Mercury - $23.81 - $29.99
  • Yamaha - $19.17
  • Quicksilver - $17.08
  • Johnson - $15.43

More items...

What is the warranty on a Mercury outboard?

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Where is vin on Mercury outboard motor?

Find the right side of the motor by looking from the rear of your outboard with the propeller end pointing toward you. Locate the serial number plate by looking on your motor's transom bracket; the plate will have "Mercury Marine" written on the top. The serial number is the top number on the plate.

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How do you troubleshoot a Mercury outboard motor?

0:482:17Basic Trouble Shooting When Your Outboard Won't Start - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipIf the engines not cranking we're gonna want to look at the battery switch. If the engine isMoreIf the engines not cranking we're gonna want to look at the battery switch. If the engine is cranking. We're still gonna want to check some things out in the back.

What causes outboard motor not to fire on all cylinders?

What To Do If Your Outboards Not Running On All Cylinders? This is commonly due to the lack of one of three things. Either the cylinder isn't getting the proper amount of air, it's not getting fuel, or the spark plug is not firing in that cylinder.

How much does it cost to rebuild a Mercury outboard?

A typical rebuilt midsize outboard motor from the 1980s to 2000 between 90 to 115 horsepower will cost at least $3,500 if purchased from a discount dealer; it will likely cost around $4,500 if purchased from a local full-service dealer. Rebuilding your engine will cost around $2,500.

Is it worth rebuild a boat engine?

If the guts of your engine are good, if it's not burning lots of oil or guzzling more fuel than it used to, and still has plenty of get up and go, then repairs are usually worth the expense—and cheaper than the alternative. But if something goes awry inside the engine, you're looking at a rebuild.

Why is my outboard turning over but not starting?

If you have checked the battery switch and charged the batteries, but your boat engine still won't start, check the battery cables. Make sure the connections that run between the engine and the battery are not loose or corroded. Reconnect or replace any battery cables that have become disconnected or damaged.

What would cause one cylinder not to fire?

The engine may be running poorly and one or more cylinders may be misfiring. The check engine light may come on or keep flashing. The most common cause for a misfire is a problem related to the ignition system. Misfiring can be caused by loss of spark; imbalanced air/fuel mixture; or loss of compression.

Is it worth rebuilding an old outboard motor?

It's too old, parts likely too scarce, and technology is way out of date. If it's a later '80s or younger engine with some or all of the features previously mentioned, and a new engine is out of the question, rebuilding is a good option that will add more years to your old outboard's life.

Is it worth fixing up an old boat?

The reality is that even simple refurbishment can add a lot of value to your boat. Restore a bit of the luster and the value of the boat will rise, an old refurbished boat is worth more now than ever before. Doing more than just basic repairs can be a lot to ask.

How long will a Mercury outboard last?

Mercury motors claim to last thousands of miles, but like all other motors, this depends on the care, maintenance, and use. With the proper care and cleaning, Mercury outboard motors could offer you over 2,000 or even 3,000 hours of use.

How much does it cost to put a new motor on a boat?

An inboard powerboat engine replacement costs approximately $15,000, while you should set aside about $5,000 to $10,000 to replace the motor for a sailboat. If you have a sailboat with an outboard motor, you will pay significantly less, somewhere around $1,500, because this vessel uses wind as the first power source.

How long do rebuilt outboards last?

A typical estimate from the industry is that an outboards motor last around 1,500 hours of operation. Assuming the average owner uses their boat 200 hours a year, this would mean that the motor would last between seven and eight years. That sounds about right in my experience.

How much does a boat engine overhaul cost?

Fully rebuilding an inboard diesel engine costs from 25% to 50% of the cost of a replacement engine, which comes out at between $2,000-$5,000. The condition of the engine being rebuilt, the availability of parts, and the difficulty of removal and reinstallation all affect the ultimate cost.

What would cause no spark in outboard?

Engines with no spark or intermittent spark on one bank can be caused by a faulty stator. Nestled in with the stator under the flywheel is the trigger (or timer base).

Will an outboard run with low compression?

Yes, an outboard will run for a little while with low compression. If the compression is too low though, it will not run at all. Here are all of the things that you need to know about low compression on an outboard engine, what they mean, and how they affect the running of the engine!

What is a trigger on a boat motor?

Your outboard trigger tells the switchbox when to "fire". The inner ring of your flywheel has magnets which pass close to the triggers coils. Each time the magnet passes, the trigger sends a low voltage "signal" to the switchbox.

Where are Mercury outboard motors made?

Mercury Marine, based in Wisconsin, has been making Mercury outboard motors in two- and four-stroke versions ranging from 2.5 to 350 horsepower for more than 75 years, though the company's first motors did not have as much horsepower as some of its current motors. If you have a two-stroke outboard motor, you must add oil to ...

What to do if your boat engine fails?

Given this reality, keep a couple of oars handy for if the engine fails while you're out on the water. It also helps to have a citizen's band radio aboard the boat or a cell phone if there is service in the area to contact someone for help if needed.

How to correct spark plug fouling?

or spark plug fouling. To correct this, empty the fuel tank of all oil. In a clean can containing a gallon of gas, pour in the correct amount of oil. For example, if you require a 32:1 ratio, each gallon of gas requires 4 ounces of the right oil for the motor mixed in.

Why does my boat overheat?

Other possible causes of overheating include: Improper fuel-to-oil mixture -- not enough oil in the fuel. Engine not large enough for the boat and its distributed weight. Wrong size carburetor jet or an adjustment making the engine run too lean -- too much air, not enough fuel. Engine incorrectly mounted on the boat.

Why is my boat's propeller not spinning?

But when the motor runs fine, but the boat doesn't go anywhere, it's likely the propeller isn't spinning due to a broken shear pin.

Do you need oil for a two stroke outboard motor?

If you have a two-stroke outboard motor, you must add oil to the fuel to lubricate the engine. Four-stroke engines don't need the oil in the engine and are much cleaner machines overall.

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