MARINER 60 ENGINE FAILURE

[MIKE3721]

Hi,<br /> Can anyone Advise?<br /> I took my boat out this weekend for the first time, ran it at low speed (until out of the harbour approx 1 1/2 miles) then throttled forward only to have the engine splutter and die at about 2500-3000 rpm. It would not then restart!. My local marine engineer said it started first time next morning and showed no sign of the mechanical failure. He did say i had not opened the fuel tank vent so it probably vacuumed and cleared its self before the next day.<br /> The problem is my fuel tank holds 6 gallon and is 12" tall. when i opened it there was only about 1/2 - 3/4" of fuel used. Is this small amount enough to create a vacuume stong enough to stop the engine? or am i likly to have another fault that is likely to show its self next time i go out.<br /> Any advise would be appreciated!

 

[AMD Rules]

Re: MARINER 60 ENGINE FAILURE

Irregardless of tank size, failing to open a vent WILL cause the engine to stall in the manner you described.

 

[JB]

Re: MARINER 60 ENGINE FAILURE

The closer to full your tank is, the quicker it will develop a vacuum and resist the fuel pump, Mike.<br /><br />Not as dangerous as forgetting the plug, but just about as common.

 

[snappernz]

Re: MARINER 60 ENGINE FAILURE

yup yet another trap for the younger players . can honestly say ive done this on a few ocassions

 

[bobmac]

Re: MARINER 60 ENGINE FAILURE

Sounds like a discussion we had last year - around August. A lot of 60 HP Mercs and Mariners seem to die in the mid-range. Will run fine at slow or wide open, but dies in the mid range. I asked Mercury for advise and they advised using Merc Quick Kleen (expensive stuff). I did use it and thought it worked until last night I had the same problem. Ran at about 2500 - 3000 RPM for about 45 minutes, then when I tried to pick up speed it dies in the 3000 to 4000 RPM range. Mercury says it could be the carbs are icing up. Last night was around 85 degrees and humid. Look at last year's postings in August. Good luck. Let me know if you find a cure! Here's the response I got from Mercury: <br /><br />Thank you for the email regarding your 1995 Mercury 60hp engine, serial<br />number 0G137311. We appreciate the opportunity to respond to your<br />concerns.<br /><br />It is possible for the carbs to ice up in that weather range. Mercury<br />would recommend using a product called Quickleen (802877A1) to prevent <br />the<br />vapor lock and the possibility of gumming in the carbs. The only other<br />recommendation Mercury would make is to completely clean out the carbs <br />with<br />parts cleaner, which will eliminate any build-up in your carbs.<br /><br />Should you have further questions, please contact us at Mercury <br />Outboard<br />Customer Service at 920-929-5040. Our business hours are Monday thru<br />Friday, 7:30am-4:30pm, CST.<br /><br />We hope this information is helpful to you.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Mercury Outboard Customer Service<br /><br />Ref:2004-129067

 

[MIKE3721]

Re: MARINER 60 ENGINE FAILURE

Hi All,<br /> Thanks for the advice, turned out to be the fuel tank vent!. I had the chance to take her out this weekend and with the vent open there was no sign of the old problem.<br />.... But!......i did notice a few more things which i am not sure about and again any more advice on these would be appreciated...when i throttled forward there was a time delay until the engine and then the boat began to pick up speed and the same again when i throttled back down. The time delay was about 3 - 6 seconds dependant on the current boat speed...i took a power boat course a while ago and this boat had a four stroke 100hp engine which responded instantly to the throttle control...so i am not sure if this delay is a normal 2 stroke engine thing or a fault?<br /> can anyone advise.<br /> Thanks. Mick