What Year in My 115 Mariner

[Westward Jack]

I bought an older boat with a 115 Mariner on it. The SN is 5255157. Does anyone know what year this motor is?<br /><br />It has trouble starting but once started seems to run OK. Most of the time the only way to get it to start is with a shot of starter fluid. (I know this is not a good thing but required at this point) When I tilt the motor up I see raw fuel running out of the carburetor throats. This does not seem like a normal thing but then again I don’t know. Any one have any ideas?

 

[roscoe]

Re: What Year in My 115 Mariner

115 sn#5180699 thru 5738890 1979 <br /><br />Carb may need cleaning/overhaul.<br />Choke may not be functioning properly.<br /><br />Does primer bulb pump up firm?<br />Do you pump it up before starting?<br />Using fast idle when starting?<br />Using choke?<br /><br />Alternative to starting fluid would be a small spray bottle with premixxed fuel in it.

 

[Westward Jack]

Re: What Year in My 115 Mariner

Thanks roscoe or your reply on the year. <br /><br />I do pump up the bulb before attempting to start and it now becomes firm after replacing it. The auto choke seems to work intermittently but the manual works. There are choke covers on the top two carburetors only. This looks as if that is the design so I have not looked any further.<br /><br />I have tried different throttle setting including a fast idle. It does help once the engine fires once.<br /><br />I’m not very experienced with 2 cycle engines but one concern that I have with the poor starting is the possibility of bad crankcase seals or reed valves. Is this a possibility?<br /><br />Thanks for the suggestion on the spray bottle instead of starter fluid. I will definitely try it.

 

[The Marine Doctor]

Re: What Year in My 115 Mariner

It sounds like you do not have enough crankcase pressure to draw the fuel in for cold start. <br /><br />You might try a decarb of the engine. IF you do a search you will find the procedure. This may reduce or remove the problem.<br /><br />Other than that. Remove and clean up the carbs..and reset the low speed idle screws.<br /><br />TMD