Strange

boaterntexas

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 4, 2003
Messages
254
on my 1976 115hp merc, I had the carbs cleaned, which cleared p my problem, brought my rpms down to the recommended range, and stopped the boggin down problem. however, after just 2 weeks of regular use, the syptoms are startgin to come back, high rpms, and a bad idle, hard starts are appearing again. What could be the problem, the guy at the shop said water in the gas was why he cleaned rebuilt the carbs, could it be getting back in there? I really don't see how. I have notice that my prop is spinning some what, I too ka shapr curve and heard he prop spinning, checked my marks I drew on it, and sure enuff it had spun. After I got the boat out of the shop, I changed the gear oil wich was really dark in color, and had some water in it, since then I have checked the oil after each use, and it looks fine, it's a real creamy color, and thicker than what it was when it went in, could this be the source of my problem. and how be of worry is water in the gearcase?<br /><br /> Thanks ,<br /> Thomas
 

boatingfool

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 30, 2002
Messages
610
Re: Strange

The creamy color is water in your gearcase.<br /><br />This has nothing to do with your engine problems.<br /><br />Water in your gearcase is not good.<br /><br />From my experience a lower unit reseal will run about $100.00.<br /><br />For your engine, what kind of oil mixture are you running??
 

graddy

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 3, 2003
Messages
150
Re: Strange

Do you use fuel Stabilizer and Quicksilver Quick Clean in your fuel system. Your carbs could be getting varnished up due to por quality fuel.
 

boaterntexas

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 4, 2003
Messages
254
Re: Strange

I'm running a 50:1 mixture, with 87 gas.. I have used some fuel stabalizer in the past, namely seafoam, but recently no. is it neccesary? As far as the water in teh gearcase, is this somethign I need to address immediatly, or can I just change teh oil really often just to get through this summer, With alot of boats, and a few shops in this area, I'm looking at being down 3 weeks if I carry the boat into the shop, and the cash I really don't have.
 
D

DJ

Guest
Re: Strange

boater,<br /><br />Give it a good dose of Sea Foam and see if it clears up.<br /><br />The source of your gearcase leak may be something as simple as replacing the seals on the fill/drain plug screws.
 

boatingfool

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 30, 2002
Messages
610
Re: Strange

djohns has an excellent point!!<br /><br />I did have water in my gearcase once and noticed no seal at all on my vent plug.<br />Put one on and went the rest of the season without a drop of water!!<br /><br />Good Luck!
 

boaterntexas

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 4, 2003
Messages
254
Re: Strange

Okay I did notice that one of my screws where missing the seal, and the other was torn. How tight should I tighten theese screw, mine are chewed up, so If I tighten them down to much, they are next to impossible to get back off.<br />again, how urget is this problem, would it hurt to go boating a couple more times before it's fixed, and does it cuase any performace problems?<br /><br /> Thanks,<br /> Thomas
 

boaterntexas

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Feb 4, 2003
Messages
254
Re: Strange

also where can I get the seals I need, looked on this site and didn't see them.<br /><br /> A side note I also noticed. that the throttle/distrubutor body, sometimes seems to stick. I've notice that sometimes my cold start lever "throttle" will not open the trottles up as much as it normally does, sometimes more. in other words, sometimes I will raise my cold start lever all the way up and get 3000 rpms, other times only 1500, sometimes, 1000, sometimes 2000. When it hits the lower rpm range, it much harder to move up and down versus when it hits its higher range.. could theese problem be related?<br /><br /> Thomas
 

steelespike

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Apr 26, 2002
Messages
19,069
Re: Strange

You should be able to get fill and drain screws at NAPA auto parts.Change your oil often and you should be ok for the season.<br /> Did you clean your tank filters and such?<br /> Take a peek in the tank if there is water it will be obvious.
 
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