Jerry Young
Cadet
- Joined
- May 12, 2009
- Messages
- 10
I recently purchased a 1995 115hp Mercury, two stroke, 4 cyl outboard. I told the mechanic that it had not been run but a couple of times and that it had not been cranked for several years. He did a 100 hr maintenance, rebuilt the fuel pump and all four carbs, checked the oil mixing system, cleaned out the fuel tank and told me that I had 150-155 psi on all cyl. He took it for a test ride and said the tank needed further cleaning and that we should install a fuel/water separator. After another cleaning and installing the filter, he took it for another test ride and said everything was great. The mechanic told me to treat the engine gently the first few times of taking it out and treat it like it was being broke in for the first time. He also said that I might still experience trouble with the fuel system because of the condition of the fuel tank. I took it out for the first time and carried a couple of extra filters. I came up on plane and ran great for about 5 min. when the engine stalled out as if it was not getting any fuel. I cranked it back up; it idled fine, came back up on plane, ran for about 5 min. and did the same thing. I changed out the fuel filter and repeated the procedure with the same results. I cracked the fuel tank fill cap to make sure that I did not have a fuel tank vent problem. Same results. This time when I tried to crank it up the engine made a metallic noise and I said to myself "That is not good." I got towed back and called my mechanic. The shop had fired the mechanic that worked on my engine for personal and professional reasons. My suspicions are that the original mechanic experienced the same results that I did when he took the boat out. At the shop we pulled the spark plugs and number 3 electrode was pitted from detonation. When the engine was pulled apart both number 3 and 4 cyl and pistons were scored. My understanding is that there are only 3 things that could have caused this condition: Stuck reed valve, stuck carb fuel float, clogged carb jet. All of these should have been working after the work that I had them do on the engine. Is there anything I missed and should the shop be responsible for the entire repair?
