Merc 115 Sluggish / dies with towing load

[87Champion]

Hi all, <br /><br />A few months ago I purchased a Champion Fish & Ski with a 1987 Mercury 115 Inline 6; stainless steel prop 13 1/2 x 22. The motor runs great, but two weeks ago started running a little sluggish. It hesitated sometimes on the hole shot. <br />I took it to a well respected, local shop to have an overall 'health check' performed. The shop said that it was a great motor - awesome compression, 120 psi across all six cylinders<br />Carbs seemed to be in good shape, floats didn't stick, leak, etc. They checked other items, but overall said it was a fantastic motor. They said that the hesitation on the hole shot was somewhat normal for this motor.<br /><br />This past weekend I realized that the problem is more apparent when towing a tube. With the added load of the tube, the motor hesitated and wouldn't tach above 1500 rpm. Giving it more throttle stalled the motor. Without the added load of the tube it ran without problem and I had it going ~55 mph at WOT (5300 RPM).<br /><br />Any ideas?<br />

 

[timmathis]

Re: Merc 115 Sluggish / dies with towing load

Please post when you find out mine is doing the same thing. Tim

 

[Clams Canino]

Re: Merc 115 Sluggish / dies with towing load

Cut back to a 21 pitch prop and try again. <br /><br />Also could be the idle needles set a bit lean - but I doubt it.<br /><br />-W

 

[OperativeK]

Re: Merc 115 Sluggish / dies with towing load

Might want to advance your timing a small at the screw adjustment. and maybe richen the idle.