Lean sneeze?

[mogfisher]

I've heard a couple folks mention lean sneeze. What exactly does it sound like? My motor needs a little help (83 18horse merc) and I think it might be sneezing. At idle it will be a tad rough but all of a sudden it makes a bit of a noise and almost dies. Sometimes it does and requires a restart. It also spits and sputters at low rpms up to a very definite point where it wakes up and runs like a champ. Is it sneezing? Do I fix this with the idle screw? Thanks!

 

[Rowroy]

Re: Lean sneeze?

It sounds like your motor is sneezing. It's my understanding that a "lean sneeze" is actually a backfire that can't make it past the reeds. I had this problem on a '73 Evinrude 25 and was able to get rid of it by richening the mixture at idle.

 

[mogfisher]

Re: Lean sneeze?

Thanks for the info. I'll try backing the idle mixture screw out just a tad and see if it gets better. Now that you mention it, it does sound a bit like a backfire but not quite as loud. More like, well, a sneeze I guess.

 

[mogfisher]

Re: Lean sneeze?

Playing with the idle screw cleared it up. I think I also got a better hole shot. Tuning the carb with the boat on the trailer is the only way to go. Much better than a bucket of water! Thanks again.

 

[westexasrepublic]

Re: Lean sneeze?

I thought turning the screw out leans it? not the other way around? turning in will richen the mixture. right?

 

[Rowroy]

Re: Lean sneeze?

I thought turning the screw out leans it? not the other way around? turning in will richen the mixture. right?

Nope. out = richer, in = leaner