Mercury Chrome Bore any special care needed?

[FredM]

I have a 1981 18hp merc with chrome bores. It's running fine and has good compression but would like to know if there is anything else apart from the usual maintenance that should be done, or to watch out for? <br /><br />Being chrome is there a stronger argument for or against decarbing?<br /><br />Thanks to iboats and all the contributors for providing such a fantastic site.

 

[Solittle]

Re: Mercury Chrome Bore any special care needed?

I'm far from an expert on this but you decarbon because the carbon builds up between the rings and the groves in the pistons. The type culinder walls should have little to do with it.

 

[Kenny Bush]

Re: Mercury Chrome Bore any special care needed?

Chrome takes the heat a little better. If you are inspecting...Do not hone the cylinders. I would run SeaFoam in your gas tank to keep it decarboned.

 

[dkondelik]

Re: Mercury Chrome Bore any special care needed?

I'd decarb. if the rings "stick" at the wrong time (top of stroke), and then hang on an exhaust port, the ring will snap (like mine did). Then you get a real deep score in the cylinder (like i did) and the head gets hammered to death (like mine did) and there is not a WHOLE LOT you can do to fix it. <br /><br />once thew chrome bore is buggered, it's done. can't over boar. and if (like mine) the head is part of the cylinder, even if you go so far as "re-sleeving", the head is still trash so you're stuck.

 

[FredM]

Re: Mercury Chrome Bore any special care needed?

Thanks for your replies Solittle, Klondike7 and Bushcat.