Search results

  1. T

    Teleflex steering play at helm '98 mercruiser bravo 3

    I am having too much play in the helm of my 1998 mercruiser steering on a Chaparral 240 signature. I have diagnosed it down to the steering cable or helm. The cable doesn't move at the stern end when I experience the play while turning the wheel at the helm. The components at the outdrive are...
  2. T

    steering wheel play, 1998 chaparral 240 cruiser Merc 5.7

    I just bought a used boat and there seems to be excessive play in the steering noticable particularly at idle speed. Anyone seen this before and have an idea how to eliminate this excess play?
  3. T

    Pumping lake water into water holding tank

    I had the idea of using my 17 gallon water holding tank for showering and for washing dishes, and then drinking only bottled water. I could rig a pump to draw water from the lake to refill the tank as needed. Has anybody done this? Does anybody put purification tablets in the water after doing this?
  4. T

    120v inverter and batteries

    Does anyone install an inverter to run microwave and water heater, and is one marine battery enough to run these occasionally (in addition to 2 standard batteries)? What is the safe and best way to wire the inverter into the 120v system? Should install a second battery switch so I can use any of...
  5. T

    What is the best easiest way to clean hull?

    Noobies question: What is the best easy way to clean hull? I'm looking for some chemical treatment that I can apply then pressure wash the dried crud off the bottom of my fiberglass hull. Anybody have proven solutions? I've heard of using Lysol blue toilet bowl cleaner but I think it would be...
  6. T

    1998 digital ignition 5.7 carbureted taking flat when at 165F

    My 1998 chaparral 240 runs great until it reaches about 165F on the temperature gauge. Then when I hit wot it runs at about 4000 rpm and then bogs down then tries to pick up again and bogs until it drops to 2000 rpm. If I idle then start over it did same thing. Runs great until it reaches this...
  7. T

    1988 L6 115hp idles and runs well at half throttle and WOT, but falls flat when put in gear at idle if I don't goose the throttle immediately

    Just rebuilt the motor. Didn't have this issue before rebuild. Carbs were rebuilt 2 year ago by PO. But the bottom carb idle screw has little effect from lightly seated to 2 turns out. I've set the timing to 5 atdc, then 0-2 btdc. Adjusted idle timing a dozen times trying to solve this problem...
  8. T

    1989 220DA Sundancer under powered with 4.3L merc?

    I'm considering buying a 1989 Sundancer, with a 4.3 Merc motor. I noticed most of these era boats have the 5.7L Merc. I hoped I could get some advice on whether that boat really needs the 5.7L, or the 4.3L has been just fine for others. I am hoping to get some feedback here before I take a drive...
  9. T

    Easy reed valves replacement in 1988 Merc 115

    I rebuilt my motor and still have poor compression on all cylinders. Could it be the original reed valves? Is it possible to replace reed valves surrounding crankshaft without removing rings from cylinders on Mercury tower of power L6? It's a tough job to get all pistons back into cylinders...
  10. T

    Sloppy timing on 1988 Merc 115 L6?

    Is there a way to tighten up the timing mechanism on this motor? I just did a rebuild on this motor. The round casing with the clock spring inside (above carb in attached photo) has a lot of slop and seems to be too loose. But I don't want to tighten the bolt so much that I put it in a bind...
  11. T

    1989 115hp L6 carb no response to idle screw adjustments

    This motor is on a 1989 winner fiberglass bass boat. It struggles greatly to get on plane and wot is 4100 trimmed up. I just rebuilt the motor and timed it (and it didn't seem to change the struggle either) and now I'm attempting to adjust idle mix. The top 2 carbs are responding as expected to...
  12. T

    Merc 115 1988 idle stabilizer needed?

    I've read lately that the idle stabilizer is a worthless piece of junk. Should I remove mine? What should the idle speed timing be set to without it? I've also read that the idle speed timing should be set with the idle stabilizer disconnected, if it is still installed. Is this fact or opinion?
  13. T

    Rent a cabin cruiser?

    Anybody know where I could rent a cabin cruiser for a weekend? The wife and I are interested in buying, but not sure how much we would enjoy the lake or river life. We would like to give it a try for a weekend before we commit.
  14. T

    Good options for used pocket cabin cruiser single engine

    I'm thinking of buying a trailerable smaller cruiser, not a cuddy cabin. I have less than$15k budget, and want something like sea ray, cobalt, Cris craft - something that I can still get parts for the cabin amenities and engine. Anyone have recommendations, or something for sale near KY?
  15. T

    How will this prop perform on my boat?

    I have a 1989 winner fish and ski ZZ 880 MACH II, 1300 lbs, 18' length, 7'-4" bow with an 1988 Merc 115L6. I bought it with this stainless steel prop on it, and with a whale tail. Numbers on prop: 48-72760A4, and on other side, well, here are photos of the sides of the prop... Question is, I've...
  16. T

    Concerned about damaging ignition system 1988 115hp L6

    I have seen some comments about not cracking the engine without all plugs installed and grounded to the engine. The comments state that damage to could or electronic ignition components could occur. I apologize, I don't have any more specific info than that. However, I want to check the spark...
  17. T

    Merc 115 L6 middle carb pours gas when I pump fuel bulb

    While rebuilding my engine, I removed the carbs. Now when I pump the fuel line bulb, gas pours out the middle carb from behind the air butterfly. The bulb isn't pumping up hard, and the other carbs aren't dumping gas like the middle one. I checked the float bowl assy, and it's correctly set up...
  18. T

    Tricks to hold flywheel to tighten nut

    I am at the point in my rebuild where I am reinstalling the flywheel. When I tighten the flywheel shaft nut, the flywheel/crankshaft turns and I can't tighten it to the 100 ft-lb tight per specs. Is there a trick to holding the flywheel on place to tighten the nut, without damaging any powerhead...
  19. T

    88 115hp L6 fuel pump vacuum powered only?

    Thanks to all engine mechanics for the time you have taken for responses on this forum, you're a wealth of info. I'm rebuilding my 115hp and have a quick question that I knew you could answer. In the crank case, behind the fuel pump, is there anything that belongs in the hole behind the fuel...
  20. T

    Bow riders with best engine access?

    I'm shopping for a used bow rider, and I am typically a diy mechanic. One thing I'm interested in us having good access all around the engine compartment. Who has experience with good or bad access in there? What brand of boat do you recommend for good access? What brand has poor access?
Top