Warning, stupid question with obvoius answer ahead

[boaterntexas]

okay having so trouble with my boat that I know nothing about and can use some expert advise. <br /><br /> The 1976 115 merc with thunderbolt, is very tricky to strat.. Smokes heavely, and I don't think it throttles propperly, seems that ist's not reaching is speed potential, even when the shifter is all the way down, if you let off the steering wheel it will pull to the right abnd pull hard.. my question are as follows.<br /><br /> What should I check about the starting , I have already sprayed alot of gumout in the carbs.<br /><br /> The smoke.. bad fuel mixture, or bad rings.. what do I check?<br /> The throotle could is be loose, how do I check?<br /><br /> The steering, is that common?<br /><br /> Thanks for all and any help..<br /><br /> THomas<br /> <br /><br />you guys have been great help to me already thank you for your time and effort.

 

[ob1jeeper]

Re: Warning, stupid question with obvoius answer ahead

I'll leave the 2-stroke problem identification to the 2-stroke experts...<br /><br />However, the steering pulling hard, while not all that uncommon with used boating equipment, is indication that something is NOT correct. The root cause of this steering issue, is typically that some part(s) of the engine below the water line are out of alignment with the water flow, causing unwanted forces to turn the motor off the path you wish to travel.<br />Some of these are:<br />A- Bent skags, trim tabs, or cavitation plates<br />B- Missing trim tabs, or portions of skags and/or cavitation plates. (could be left off, fell off, or broken off)<br />C- Mis-adjusted trim tabs.<br />D- mis-installed "hydrofoils" (typically attached to cavitation plates, such as "doelfins", etc.)<br /><br />More unusual than above, but hull damage, or "add-on" items attached to the hull incorrectly, or even incorrect sized props can manifest as a steering issue..<br /><br />If you have good photo's of the lower unit, I'd be happy to look them over to see if I can spot anything obvious. Otherwise, you'll need to take it to a qualified technician, who can look into it for you, as there are a variety of components that could be the root cause.<br /><br />Good Luck, Obiwan Jeeper

 

[Boatist]

Re: Warning, stupid question with obvoius answer ahead

Boaterntexas<br />Well I would start by doing a compression check, this will give you some idea of how the rings are.<br /><br /> Your oil mix should be 50 to 1.<br /><br />Next I would pull each spark plug wire one at a time and make sure you have good spark on every cylinder.<br /><br />What is the weight of your boat?? How many RPM's do you turn and at what speed??<br /><br />The steering problem can be several things. First do you have any damage to bottom of boat or a lot of moss on bottom?? Is there anything creating drag on right side?? Is the prop bent up?? If answer is no then you need to adjust the motor trim tab farther to the right.

 

[Valv]

Re: Warning, stupid question with obvoius answer ahead

boaterntexas, I would rebuild carbs, or at least clean the up very well, beware spraying a lot of gumout while running you are not giving enough lubrication to motor, it could be dangerous.<br /><br />These motors are tricky to start cold, you have to choke them a lot.<br /><br />Rings have nothing to do with smoke, it's not a 4 stroke, oil has to go through motor. Be SURE you are not running old mix, if it's from last season, empty tank as best as you can and fill it up with fresh 50:1 mix<br /><br />As Boatist said check plugs, be sure all fire while running (use well insulated pliers, or wrap them in a towel, don't get shocked).<br /><br />Color of plugs can tell you if one is firing or not also.<br /><br />Finally.....that's no stupid question you asked, we are here to help, I'm no expert neither but I can try to help with what I know.