Re: 1996 merc 200 efi loss power
Here is what I originally encountered with my motor:<br /><br />1998 Mercury 225 EFI<br /><br />Engine would not plane out when under load. The boat seemed to idle fine. Yet, when I would begin to accelerate for a hole shot the boat would reach 2000 to 2200 RPMs and be unable to rise past this range. When the problems were starting I tried pumping the bulb and choking the engine (neither worked). My fishing partner could go and stand on the front of the boat and after struggling the motor would pick on up out of the hole and run fine (5400 RPM WOT, 76 MPH on GPS).<br /><br />I checked the engine compression and got a reading of about 120 per cylinder of uniform rating. I replaced the plug wires, fuel bulb, fuel line and fuel filter as a first step. The shops in my area are also very busy and I needed the boat for a tournament. No luck with step one.<br /><br />I then checked the vent line for any obstructions and drained the gas tank to check for water.<br /><br />I borrowed a known good Ignition CDM from my local repair center. This didn't help either.<br /><br />After sending the boat to a local repair facility and having the reed valves checked, fuel pressure and bleed line and vapor tank, they discovered that several of the fuel injectors were clogged. They did not need to be replaced, but were cleaned.<br /><br />The boat runs great now. The total repair bill was under three hundred. This included another new set of plugs.<br /><br />So, with the problems your encountering being so similar. It probably wouldn't hurt to go ahead and have the fuel injectors cleaned. Also, have the engine scopped. If it has not been run in awhile, there is the chance that the cylinder walls could be rusty. I was always told that the best way to keep an outboard running was to leave it running and motors that have set up for awhile tend not to run correctly.<br /><br />Hope all of this helps.<br /><br />Good Luck
