Feels like I am dragging an anchor

[jwd31j]

2001 Mercury 90 hp, while in drive, feels like I am pulling a an anchor behind me. Is there a relay switch somewhere that may need to be replaced? My problem only happens in gear. In neutral I can get to 4000 rpm.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Feels like I am dragging an anchor

Don't free rev a engine it won't tell you a thing till it eats a reed valve, but if it will only rev 4000 in neutral it's sick, ck the engine for spark on all cyls. first whars the most common problem with thore engines, if it has spark and compression then you have dirty carbs

 

[jwd31j]

Re: Feels like I am dragging an anchor

Thanks. But why only when in gear does it do that. I have changed all 3 plugs, new gas, new fuel filter, cleaned carbs with carb cleaner. But if in gear, at full throttle I am lucky to move at all. Ran ok the first 20 minutes I had it in the water this year, then thios happened all of a sudden.

 

[Laddies]

Re: Feels like I am dragging an anchor

When the engine is in a no load mode it should be able to free rev till it destroys it's self, when in gear it cannot rev up because of the load

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Feels like I am dragging an anchor

Have you looked overboard ? Maybe it IS dragging an anchor jkg.... Couldn't help myself

 

[MortenH]

Re: Feels like I am dragging an anchor

Sounds like fuel starvation to mee. Does she run normal at lower speeds in gear?<br /><br />-M-

 

[fishingdan]

Re: Feels like I am dragging an anchor

Do as Laddies suggested. Check for spark on all cylinders before doing anything else.

 

[vampirefish]

Re: Feels like I am dragging an anchor

Here's another thing to double-check (purely from my own experience) I just ran into a very similar problem... I didn't have my fuel tank vent open (live and learn) so at full throttle, in gear, it barely moved - major fuel starvation. Also in neutral it didn't really seem to be getting enough fuel.