v6 mercury 135 1990 running problem

A

asloane

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Jun 23, 2003
Messages
7
i have a v6 135 mercury engine 1990.<br />The engine normaly takes a few tries to get it started but when it does start it runs fine for a while. After about an hour the engine usally starts to run a bit rough. It stalls sometimes when on tick over and does not rev fully. After about 5 mins of trying to get it started it normally fires up and seems to run fine for a while and then the same again.The engine is a bit smokey on tick over but on a recent service they said it was fine.on the service they changed plugs fule lines, filter, impeller stripped and cleaned the carbs checked timing and checked the oil feed rate.<br />Is it possible the engine could be over heating, when the engine is running rough the water fireing out the back semms alot hotter than normal running but not hot enough to burn your hand.<br />Has anyone any ideas.
 
R

rwise

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Re: v6 mercury 135 1990 running problem

sinking feeling <br />Sound like it's running hot to me, Give the sperts here more info, mod# ser#, and welcome to the board!<br />Richard
 
A

asloane

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Jun 23, 2003
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Re: v6 mercury 135 1990 running problem

Okay this is all new to me.<br />Not too sure what you mean by the model, it has a sea ray badge on it.<br />I have a manual but that doesnt tell you where the serial number is located so here is a few numbers i found.<br />On both cylinder head covers these numbers are stamped 18419-c1<br />Just under the altenator? 10258802<br />And as you look at the engine from the back of the boat right hand side botom near cylinder number 5 there are 2 rows of numbers.<br />858<br />8346-0<br /> :confused:
 
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rwise

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Re: v6 mercury 135 1990 running problem

on the "clamp" that mounts the engine to your boat, there is a plate with serial number and mod number on it.
 
K

KennyKenCan

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Aug 26, 2002
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Re: v6 mercury 135 1990 running problem

Hey Sinking,<br /><br />I have the same motor, 1994, and it sounds to me that the engine is overheating.<br /><br />Try removing the thermostats and run engine (in the water) and see if it still does what you say it does.<br /><br />If the problem stops, you are definetly overheating.<br /><br />The problem could be bad thermostats, faulty pop-off valve, water pump, or an obstruction in the cooling system.<br /><br />The serial number for that motor is located near where the motor bolts to the boat on the mid-section of motor, not under the motor cover.<br /><br />Hope this helps.<br /><br />Kenny
 
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asloane

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Jun 23, 2003
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Re: v6 mercury 135 1990 running problem

Cheers kenny.<br /><br />Followed the manual removed both thermostat covers and what i think are the thermostats. They don't look like the type of thermostats you see in a car engine. They are a round piece of metal with a hole in with a seal around the edge like a washer? <br />I'll try the engine this saturday.<br /><br />Still looking for the serial number found this number near the tilt ram on the engine side<br />1499-8709 c4.
 
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asloane

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Jun 23, 2003
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Re: v6 mercury 135 1990 running problem

On the advert when the boat was for sale this is what he wrote.<br />The engine is an American Searay endorsed Mercury, Built in 1990, however, mercury outboards with a lift off cowling in this country didnt start untill 1994 so in fact the engine looks like a 94,<br />If it has a later lift off cowling could this be why there is no serial on it.<br /><br />I cant find any serial just a spot where it might have been. Looks a bit suspect.
 
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KennyKenCan

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Re: v6 mercury 135 1990 running problem

Hey sinking feeling,<br /><br />To find the serial #, when looking at the motor from the rear of the boat, on the left side near the power trim and tilt fill, there should be a silver or white label. (Be advised that in alot of cases, the label may have been painted over.)<br /><br />That label will have the serial # and a date code on it.<br /><br />That is the # you need.<br /><br />Hope that helps.<br /><br />Here in the U.S., boat manufactures do not relabel a motor to their brand name.<br /><br />I have never heard of a Merc engine renamed, other than Mariner, which is just a cheaper version of the Mercury engine.<br /><br />Did the thermostats you removed have any corrosion on them?<br /><br />Corrosion will hamper their operation.<br /><br />If they are corroded, replace them!<br /><br />The thermostats should look like minature automobile thermostats, spring, a little tower to contain spring, an opening...etc.<br /><br />You can also test them just like a car thermostat in a pot of water over a stove.<br /><br />Just make sure that the thermostats DO NOT make contact with the pot.<br /><br />They should start to open at 143 degrees and be fully open by 163 degrees.<br /><br />Maximum running temp should never run above 190 degrees.<br /><br />Hopfully that helps you a little more.<br /><br />Kenny :D
 
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asloane

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Jun 23, 2003
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Re: v6 mercury 135 1990 running problem

I'll have a look for the serial again tomorrow.<br /><br />The stats dont look like stats at all. It looks like someone has put a washer in instead.?<br />I have had the stat out of my car b4 its nothing like that.Its just a washer.<br />Could these washer looking efforts have been put in instead of a stat maye as a temp job and then been left like this.The hole in the middle of the washer maybe too small not letting enough water pass through. Thus getting hot.<br /><br />sorry to sound so dumb.<br /><br />Are the stats under the mounting plates where the water tubes go in to each of the cylinder head covers. If so this is where i found the funny looking stats.<br /><br />Cheers kenny.
 
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KennyKenCan

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Re: v6 mercury 135 1990 running problem

Hey sinking,<br /><br />I have no idea what those things are, that you found in your engine.<br /><br />The thermostats that belong in there look like minature automobile thermostats that are located right under those covers where the cooling hoses go.<br /><br />I've never seen T-Stats that look like washers.<br /><br />Are there not any springs on it anywhere?<br /><br />I don't see how it could work without resistance somewhere.<br /><br />Do you have a repair manual for that motor?<br /><br />There should be a photo somewhere in the manual that shows the thermostats.<br /><br />If not, I'd talk to the man at the Merc parts supply for suggestions.<br /><br />Kenny
 
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asloane

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Jun 23, 2003
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Re: v6 mercury 135 1990 running problem

Kenny,<br /><br />No there isnt any springs anywhere under those covers, after i took theses washers out i could see into the cylinder head covers. Looks clean inside the covers.<br /><br />I do have an engine manual, it shows how to do the test with the stats that you talked about and has a picture of the stat. <br /><br />They dont look anything like the picture in the manual.<br /><br />I'll ring the guy tomorrow that serviced the engine.<br /><br />What does the pop of valve do and where is it located.<br /><br />Cherrs kenny for taking your time to help me out.
 
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asloane

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Jun 23, 2003
Messages
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Re: v6 mercury 135 1990 running problem

The engine ran much better this weekend, only stalled a few times but there was not power loss the whole day. GREAT.<br /><br />I've ordered some new stats i'll try them this weekend.<br /><br />Does anyone know if it is possible to rev the engine when it is out of gear without taking the cover off.<br /><br /> :) :) :)
 
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