1997 Mercury Nitro EFI lower problems/noises.

[slickcdb2000]

Hello All...

Well I'm new here and new to boats. I just bought a 97 nitro with a mercury 150 efi. Did good for the most part of the morning, was very pleased with it. Well I came off of throttle then I heard a loud beep. I killed the engine. Started it back up and it seemed as if the idle was very low. Put it in gear sometimes and it would die. Also when I put it in reverse it had a kinda loud "clacking" noise coming from the foot. Any ideas?

Where is the idle adjustment screw on this thing anyways? I have 4 screws on the port side but it didn't look like any of them would change the idle.

Thanks in advance.

 

[slickcdb2000]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI foot problems.

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI foot problems.

Took it out this morning and did some further investigating. It's not the idle that is the problem, it is a loud "knocking/clacking" sound coming from the foot. It had the oil in the foot changed earlier this year. That is what the guy said that I bought it from. Any ideas on this one?

 

[Snowfish]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI foot problems/noises.

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI foot problems/noises.

When you say foot, that's probably the lower unit, right? What's the oil look like? If is really milkly looking, your seals are probably shot. Water and oil makes a really bad lubricant.

 

[slickcdb2000]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI foot problems/noises.

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI foot problems/noises.

Yea i'm talking about the lower. Dumb question but where exactly do you check the oil? I'm very very very new to outboard motors and kinda afraid to touch it anywhere. I can get my way around pretty good with truck, 4 wheeler and motorcycle motors though. How much does it normaly cost to change the seals?

 

[slickcdb2000]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI lower problems/noises.

Well... I did a google search and came up with a bunch of stuff on how to change the oil. I'll do that tomorrow and see what happens. Any other issues it may be? any way to check the oil without draining it?

 

[slickcdb2000]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI lower problems/noises.

anyone?

 

[Snowfish]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI lower problems/noises.

You can check the condition of the oil by dropping the lower plug. A little will come out to see if water contamination is present. You'll still need to push oil up through the vent hole to be sure it's totally full again. But why not drain the whole thing. That way you can see if anything else comes out. Plus, you know that you have fresh oil. Not on just hear say. Cheap, easy to do, and piece of mind knowing it was done right. "In God we trust, all others we double check". New plug O rings are a good idea too. (don't ask how I know) Parts pricing can be found on this site. Plus you can search this site for tips on changing the seals and other components. Shop labor will vary by location. The marinas here charge $120/hr with a $50 minimum. I figure even if I take twice as long doing the job myself, it's like paying myself $62.50/hr. You can do it! Or just keep laying down the Benjamins.

 

[slickcdb2000]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI lower problems/noises.

Well I just pulled the lower plug. didnt see any water but the oil was super black and stunk very bad. I'm gonna go to walmarts and get some oil and see what happens then. What else could be making that loud noise?

 

[slickcdb2000]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI lower problems/noises.

Ok... got that problem fixed. Changed the oil in the lower, sounds great now. Now I just got to figure out exactly turned that oil black or what caused it to go bad that quick.

 

[slickcdb2000]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI lower problems/noises.

I need help people

 

[Snowfish]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI lower problems/noises.

Maybe the guy you bought it from changed the oil with the wrong stuff. If it sounds good, runs good, with now weird noises or feelings, I say run it. And of course check the oil again after a couple runs. I'm sorry, I've never seen or heard of the lower unit oil turning black. Usually milky white from water infiltration, which is way bad too. Hopefully bringing this back to the top will catch somebodys attention. Hope you can get this behind you so you can enjoy the water.

 

[SoFloStone]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI lower problems/noises.

Ok... got that problem fixed. Changed the oil in the lower, sounds great now. Now I just got to figure out exactly turned that oil black or what caused it to go bad that quick.

I have been told by my Mechanic that these motors are known for burning oil in the lower end, and if the boat is used year round, make sure the oil is changed twice a year.

Not sure why, but I have heeded his advise and have had no issues so far...

 

[slickcdb2000]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI lower problems/noises.

Thanks for the replys people. Well after I changed the oil in the lower it sounded good at the house. I put the water hose adapter on it put it in gear and sounded great. Yesterday morning put it in the lake and the same grinding/cluncking noise coming from the lower. Not quite as bad before but you can definitely still hear it. When I get back home this evening i'll change it again. Any other suggestions?

 

[Thoroughbred]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI lower problems/noises.

If you go into gear slowly you get the noise right? Go into gear quickly and it doesn't do it right? I was told this is normal for these Mercs. Mine is a '97 150 Offshore (carbed).

 

[Snowfish]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI lower problems/noises.

Good call Thoroughbred! Any outboard or sterndrive should be shifted quickly since there's no clutch, other than the "shift dogs", "ears", or what ever the proper name is. Going slow grinds 'em every time. You may need a cable adjustment but doubtful. You need to fine the "sweet spot" where there's no grinding, since the boat is new to you. There will still be a little "clunk" when it engages. Totally normal. The grinding will definately contribute to oil contamination since you're filing down the shift dogs in the process. Shift 'em quick. Clunk. Hammer down! Enjoy!

 

[slickcdb2000]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI lower problems/noises.

No that isn't it. it does grind a little going it gear... but when it's allready in gear the lower is making the "clunking" noise. When i'm just at an idle speed is when it does it.

 

[slickcdb2000]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI lower problems/noises.

Well I may have a solution. Haven't fooled with it yet, but the prop has a very little bit of slack in it, which would cause it to move back and forth under a small load. at higher speeds you cant hear it because the prop has the water pressure holding the prop all the way back. At least I hope anyways.

 

[Thoroughbred]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI lower problems/noises.

No that isn't it. it does grind a little going it gear... but when it's allready in gear the lower is making the "clunking" noise. When i'm just at an idle speed is when it does it.

Ok then what kind of lower unit oil did you use? I understand that Quicksilver is the recommended oil and hear that if it has it in there to begin with then it should be replaced with it. You can buy a quart for under $15 with a pump at most marine stores and marinas. Also don't forget to replace the washers when you do it.

You mentioned the previous owner said it was replaced this year but it was black when you took it out. That worries me, was it a burnt kind of black?

 

[Mr. Insurance]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI lower problems/noises.

Ya, I would definitely check out the oil and make sure there isn't any contamination. Just go ahead and change it while you are down there as well.

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San Diego Car Insurance
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[slickcdb2000]

Re: 1997 Mercury Nitro EFI lower problems/noises.

I forget what brand oil I used. Just the recommended weight oil. When it was black it did smell burnt. I took it the a mechanic and he said that is just the way mercury v6's sound. Maybe I was just being to worrisome.

On a second note.... on the way home from the mechanic a leaf spring on my trailer broke, twisted the axle, took out a road sign and had to get a tow truck to bring it home. But the boat didnt get hurt surprisingly.