Two slaty sisters need motor help/advice

[AngelaP70]

Hello. We are two sisters looking for some boat motor help/advice. Our grandfather willed us his 82 runabout..It has a 70 HP Mercury Outboard rebuilt in 1992. The motor seems to have a gas and oil leak coming from the carb...Leaks can be seen under the carb, and when motor is tilted up gas and oil mixture spots out a bit, but eventually stops after a few minutes. We took the boat out last week and it stalled and would not re-start, eventually we were able to re-start but it was having trouble starting unless given throttle (which we never had to do before) after we got the boat home we had trouble starting the engine again to flush. Now we have noticed in addition to the gas and oil leakage, there is a red fluid leaking just below the propellor..The boat itself is an 82, and motor was as stated before partially re-built in 92. Are these pricey items to fix, or should we scrap the boat and motor all together?? Thanks for helping the two damsels in distress...

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Two slaty sisters need motor help/advice

It is normal to have a bit of fuel/oil residue around the carbs of older two-strokes, especially after tilting, as the fuel/oil will come out of the bowls and out the throats. You have to prime the primer bulb again until rock hard after tilting the engine, or it will be difficult to start. In fact, you should always squeeze 'till hard every time prior to starting the engine, or you'll wear the battery down. The red fluid could possibly be residue from the exhaust system, it will drip a blackish fluid after being run, it is normal. The lower unit should have gear oil in it, and if it is leaking, it will also become water contaminated, and you would see a milky-ish fluid coming from the leak point. Without seeing it, thats the best I can do. Good luck...

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Two slaty sisters need motor help/advice

Hello ladies,<br /><br />Unfortunately I'm not a 'merc' person so the only advise I can offer is to say that the words "pricey" & "boat" are joined at the hip.<br /><br />Your post may get lost in the crowd, its a good idea to self reply (bump) every now and again to get it to the top of the list and hopefully noticed, as my post will do now. <br />If you add "anybody please?" the merc guys will come out of the woodwork <br /><br />Goodluck<br /><br />Aldo

 

[DJ]

Re: Two slaty sisters need motor help/advice

If the boat has sat, unused, for any length of time the carburetors will need to be rebuilt/cleaned.<br /><br />It's not hard, with a manual and basic tools.<br /><br />Before I scrapped it, I think I would invest $30.00 in a manual and have at it.<br /><br />Look here for manuals.<br /> <br /> http://www.outboardrepairs.com/manuals/

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Two slaty sisters need motor help/advice

If you post up the S/N We can establish the year and get a better understanding of what type of ignition/starting system you have.<br /><br />Dunaruna.. Took a leave day yesterday and went to Corio bay.. Magnificent flat sunny calm day..<br />Merc ran like the day it was made.. boat planed at 3000 rpm<br />But.. The fish also took a leave day.. Not one bite, using Berley, lures , squid, Pipi, whiting, and frequent moving... <br />Where have the fish gone ????

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: Two slaty sisters need motor help/advice

I'm jealous, I looked up at the sky at 8am and started planning ways to cancel work for the day, but I couldn't <br /><br />Haven't dipped the boat in salt water for a few months now but got a bumper catch of brown trout at Eildon last weekend, biggest 2.2Lbs. Tasty!<br /><br />I hear on the grape vine that kingys are about to start their run through the heads, any thoughts?<br /><br />Did I mention that I'm jealous.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Two slaty sisters need motor help/advice

Better not hijack the post...<br />You can e-mail me here anytime.<br />andrewkafp@yahoo.com.au<br /><br />Cheers.

 

[AngelaP70]

Re: Two slaty sisters need motor help/advice

Hi again. Thanks for the tips. The serial number on the motor is OB166788. We don't think the boat has been sitting for too long between runs. This problem is new, and happened for the first time last weekend...As for the red fluid it is coming out when motor is down. It was doing this yesterday for a while, but now we can't seem to find any evidence of this. Does anyone know where this fluid would originate from, or how to check the level? Aldo, we are quickly learning that boat and pricey are synonymous Thanks again for all and any help.

 

[andrewkafp]

Re: Two slaty sisters need motor help/advice

1987 3 cylinder.<br />Red fluid sounds like Hydraulic fluid from the power trim.

 

[JasonJ]

Re: Two slaty sisters need motor help/advice

I thought power trim used motor oil, or was it different from year/model to year/model?

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Two slaty sisters need motor help/advice

The red fluid sounds like transmission fluid which is almost exactly what is used in the system that raises and lowers your motor...

 

[funpilot]

Re: Two slaty sisters need motor help/advice

I think the basic question is "should we keep or scrap the boat and motor." If it were mine, I would do the following, proceding to the next step when I was satisfied that each prior one was good. First I would do a compression test (and check the spark plug gaps); drain and replace the lower unit oil; drain the fuel and replace; disassemble and clean the carbs and fuel screens; check the timing; decarb the engine; and check and replace if necessary the fuel lines. Not too many problems can withstand that kind of approach. You could also ask a local boat shop just to evaluate the engine for you and and give you an estimate on a tune-up.<br /><br />The reddish leak by the prop sounds like trim oil, if it is real red, but if it is more brown it is probably just unburned mix left in the exhaust system.<br /><br />By following the directions in a manual, you could do the maintenance yourself, but getting reliable expert advice from someone who is actually looking at the motor isn't a bad idea either. Your Grandfather probably felt the rig was worth keeping and you would enjoy it. And with a little care, perhaps you will, or you could sell it to someone who is looking for an inexpensive start on boating.<br /><br />take care,<br />fp

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Two slaty sisters need motor help/advice

When did they switch to hydraulic fluid? My 83 calls for 10W-30.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Two slaty sisters need motor help/advice

Definitely scrap the boat and motor. Please ship to 4434 Crane Drive, Medford WI for proper disposal. <br /><br />Then again, if you girls are financially well off enough to be throwing a boat away, maybe I should be paying you a visit. <br /><br />Welcome to iboats, and Happy Boating.

 

[AngelaP70]

Re: Two slaty sisters need motor help/advice

OK this is our last and final question.. How do you fill up hydraulic fluid in the trim/tilt?? Is it possible? Thanks for all of your continued help!

 

[KCLOST]

Re: Two slaty sisters need motor help/advice

IB,<br /><br />My 86' 175 calls out for transmission fluid or suitable hydralic fluid if needed (in the manual)..