jburdadams
Seaman Apprentice
- Joined
- May 27, 2013
- Messages
- 41
I've lurked around your forum for sometime and found several helpful hints over the years, so figured I'd better join officially and not only get some advice on this issue, but share the solution with some other folks as well.
I'm dealing with my 120 Mercury Force (1999 model), hung on my 18' Bayliner Capri. I live in Macon, GA.
Background: The boat has been sitting unused since June 2012. Gas tank was about 98% empty (my bad...), so I already suspect condensation problems. Put the earmuffs on - the engine will start after many attempts, but only run nearly wide open throttle, and stumbles badly, spewing oil and smoke. Absolutely won't idle. Had issues with the idle mixture settings last summer - mainly because i messed with them without the manual. This was fixed and it ran fine when i put it up end of last June.
What I've done so far: filled up with fresh gas, added Heet gas additive to remove moisture, cleaned plugs (not fouled), checked fuel filter (ok). I thinned out the oil mixture a bit thinking that maybe the engine had picked up excess oil sludge in the bottom of the tank, and maybe I had added too much oil the last time i used it. That seemed to help with the oil spewing and smoking, but still runs rough. Took it to the lake for a two hour ride. Runs fine at 5K RPM (wide open). Stumbles at any other throttle setting. From startup, you have to rev the engine, throw it into gear and firewall it - it eventually takes off like a striped ape. Then you can't throttle back to a reasonable speed - you just have to endure the skipping etc.
Next steps: going to watch the Carb & Timing Tutorial on You Tube! then clean out the carbs and check the fuel pump diaphragm.
Would appreciate any advise you can give me since I'm hooking up and heading to FLA on Saturday. I'll share results with everyone. thanks!
I'm dealing with my 120 Mercury Force (1999 model), hung on my 18' Bayliner Capri. I live in Macon, GA.
Background: The boat has been sitting unused since June 2012. Gas tank was about 98% empty (my bad...), so I already suspect condensation problems. Put the earmuffs on - the engine will start after many attempts, but only run nearly wide open throttle, and stumbles badly, spewing oil and smoke. Absolutely won't idle. Had issues with the idle mixture settings last summer - mainly because i messed with them without the manual. This was fixed and it ran fine when i put it up end of last June.
What I've done so far: filled up with fresh gas, added Heet gas additive to remove moisture, cleaned plugs (not fouled), checked fuel filter (ok). I thinned out the oil mixture a bit thinking that maybe the engine had picked up excess oil sludge in the bottom of the tank, and maybe I had added too much oil the last time i used it. That seemed to help with the oil spewing and smoking, but still runs rough. Took it to the lake for a two hour ride. Runs fine at 5K RPM (wide open). Stumbles at any other throttle setting. From startup, you have to rev the engine, throw it into gear and firewall it - it eventually takes off like a striped ape. Then you can't throttle back to a reasonable speed - you just have to endure the skipping etc.
Next steps: going to watch the Carb & Timing Tutorial on You Tube! then clean out the carbs and check the fuel pump diaphragm.
Would appreciate any advise you can give me since I'm hooking up and heading to FLA on Saturday. I'll share results with everyone. thanks!
