water stream on new Merc

[talsum]

I just purchased a 2004 Merc 15hp that has never been used. A gentleman bought it back in 04 with good intentions but never even started it up. I put it in a barrel of water to fire it up and noticed a weak pee stream. It gets stronger when I give it a little throttle but very weak at idle. Is that normal or could the impeller have dried up? I have a 90 Mariner that has a strong stream even at the lowest idle. Thanks for any input.

 

[Plainsman]

Re: water stream on new Merc

I'd replace the impeller, change the LU oil, and give it a good decarb.

 

[yamamarinetech40]

Re: water stream on new Merc

Why would you decarb an engine that's never been used?

It's perfectly normal, mercs don't pee too strong at idle, some just spit...long as it gets good when throttled up...you can feel the head to see if getting hot...sounds normal to me

 

[talsum]

Re: water stream on new Merc

Thanks. I appreciate the input. I haven't had the motor on the lake yet to open it up and observe the stream bit plan to soon. I hadn't planned on decarb since the motor never even had gas in it.

 

[Plainsman]

Re: water stream on new Merc

Why would you decarb an engine that's never been used?

It's perfectly normal, mercs don't pee too strong at idle, some just spit...long as it gets good when throttled up...you can feel the head to see if getting hot...sounds normal to me

I missed the brand new, I read, new to me. Thanks for the correction

 

[croSSed]

Re: water stream on new Merc

As long as water is coming out of the "pee hole" when it's running, you're fine. Until you get to WOT, that is. You must have at least 5 lbs of pressure then if you plan on running it for any length of time at WOT. One of my mottos is, "if it works, don't fix it." In this case that means, "if it's peeing, leave it alone."

TG