The little outboard that (almost) could...

[nickb911]

1981 Merc 7.5, Randomly dies @ WOT after about 2 min. Fires right back up w/o choke. Did this twice today. If I catch it and throttle back it may stay running, primer bulb is firm.
Fuel was low, maybe it momentarily sloshed away from the pickup hose in the tank? Could this be some sort of timing issue?
After it died I heard a very faint buzzing? or clicking? Could this be from the forward momentum just pushing on the prop with the motor off? Noise stopped after shifting into Neutral. I'm plumb out of ideas. Thanks

 

[CharlieB]

Re: The little outboard that (almost) could...

"Ratcheting' from the gearcase caused by rapid stop/slowing of the boat 'coasting' faster than the prop is turning. No Problem.

Dying under load and immediately able to restart, first thing that comes to mind is a drop of water in the carb, rolls around until it finally plugs the main jet. As soon as the engine dies there is no vacuum to hold the water onto the jet, and it falls off, until your going fast enough, using enough fuel that the drop sloshes around and again plugs the jet.

Depending on your model, the carb may have a drain, is so, open it, drain the carb, squeeze the primer to 'flush' anything out, put the plug back and retest.

I may be difficult to catch the fuel to look for a single drop of water. Check your fuel tank, tip it so you may siphon a small amount from the very bottom of the fuel, any water should be under the fuel.