Mercruiser 165 Engine Problems

[wilson3821]

I have an '77 AristoCraft with a GM250 or 165 engine, with a carburetor that is acting up (I think) .... This weekend I have to manually adjust the flaps to get it to shore as it kept dieing on me (not sure what the problem is).... It would start and try to idle, however when you put it into gear it would stall. I giggle the part that connects to the flaps and was able to take off... It would run fine unless you droped it down close to idle the it would stall... Any assistance that you could provide would be greatly appreciated.. <br /><br />Thanks! <br />Mike

 

[biloxiriver]

Re: Mercruiser 165 Engine Problems

It sounds to me like your choke is not working properly. I had this same thing occur on this same engine and it ended up that my choke was the culprit. Make sure it is connected properly; mine sucked heat off the manifold via a small inlet tube. If this tube is bad, or comes loose, it will only get cold air and may be trying to choke off. Good luck.

 

[Viking77]

Re: Mercruiser 165 Engine Problems

Carbuerator problems?

I agree with the previous post. I had similar problems with the 4 barrel on my 1985 GM 305 HO. Although it is not a marine engine it is a similar GM normally aspirated carbuerator.
In 2006 I had a new electric choke put in because I was having similar problems like yours and it has run fine ever since. Idles real smooth and starts right up with out hesitation. I also keep installing new distributor caps, rotors, points, spark plug wires and spark plugs regularly. I maintain the carbuerator by adding carbuerator cleaner (not fuel injector cleaner) to the gas tank. I also take off my air cleaner and manually spray out the flaps and inside as far as the little red tube will reach. Don't spare here really give it a good cleaning inside.

I hope you find the answer and get your 165 Mercruiser running good.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Mercruiser 165 Engine Problems

Ayuh,.....

If the motor runs Better when you Choke it,....

It's Starving for Fuel......

Change the Fuel Filters,.....
If that doesn't Fix it,.... The carb is probably gummed up,+ needs a Rebuild....

 

[Yorty]

Re: Mercruiser 165 Engine Problems

I have 2 barrel 165 with the same problem described. Bond-0 was exactly right. When I choked engine, I could get it down to idle (almost). I bought a carb rebuild kit & took carb apart, cleaned the gunk, replaced with new gaskets & she runs like a dream!

Thanks for the great info.

 

[ziggy]

Re: Mercruiser 165 Engine Problems

hi mike, you've come to the right place for help, that's for sure. these fellas here have helped me a lot...

could be carb, and does sound likely as others are saying. and for sure check the fuel filter. make that just R&R the filter, it ain't hard to get to and is cheap. check the screen at the inlet of the carb too. it is cleanable and can collect debris too.
prior to carb adjustments though, have ya done a minor tune up on to it? ya know, points, condenser, cap, rotor, plugs, set dwell 1st then timing. prior to assuming the carb. do the electrical side 1st unless your sure your hip there. check compression too. if not only for a base reading for checking against later on. but ya do gotta have something to work with...
also, speculation. but dies when shifting on your version of mercruiser can be a sign of a bad shift cable.

more.
go here. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=342393
there is much info here. probably service manual #2 (which has trouble shooting guides in it too) for your 77 (confirm proper manual by s/n if possible) which is a must have item for working on your rig. it's all good there. read them all even.

have ya gone here yet.. http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?s=&daysprune=-1&f=224
some interesting info for our boats, browse and enjoy.
so what color ya got? pics? mines lime green... a few pics scattered around over on the aristocraft forum of it...


edit, just looked at your old posts. no one answered about your cover. i missed the thread somehow. did ya get it figured out. i found one that fits and can likely find the part number for ya if ya want me to look back through my records..