Re: Progress so far
 

Took her out this evening. Much better. Only problem is that occasionally (not all the time) when I go from a neutral slow idle and try to accelerate it dies. Maybe, the carbs need cleaning?

Question: It seems to take an awful lot of pumping to get the priming ball firm and as I pump it makes alot of gurgling. Is this a problem? The bulb is new.

Re: Progress so far
 

Bulb should remain firm. Check valve in? Flow arrows facing right direction?

Re: Progress so far
 

Bulb doesn't remain firm! Arrow on bulb pointing to engine. Maybe the check valve in this NEW bulb is not working! I'll buy another and try that. Could this account for the stalling. I'll describe it more. If I slow down to just above idle and then try to accelerate, it will occasionally die. Today when this happened, I squeezed the bulb and at first there was no pressure.

So tomorrow night, I'll clean the carbs and change the bulb.

Re: Progress so far
 

You may need a new fuel pump on the engin?? When it does this have someone pump the bulb at the same time you are trying to accerlated. I would think that if you are hearing a gergle soung that maybe the pick up in the tank might be out of the fuel or there it is pumping air from somewhere?? Check all connections from mototr back.
Good Luck!!

Re: Progress so far
 

Worked on the boat Monday night.

Changed all fuel lines including the priming bulb.
Made sure there were no leaks at hose fittings
Replaced engine in-line fuel filter
Decarbed the engine
Pulled and cleaned the plugs- all of them looked good before cleaning but I was already greasey so why not.

Runs much smoother now but I think I still hear an occasional miss at slow idle, seems to smooth out when idle speed increased. Next need to find out which cylinder is missing and why. The wires look good but you never know.

On the whole, it seems like good progress. Will give it the real test Thurs night.

Thanks everyone for your help and suggestions.

Re: Progress so far
 

Still having the problem. Spoke to the mechanic at the marina last saturday and he said he would look at it this week and call me the day before because I have to pull it off a float and bring to dock. Well, it's Thursday and haven't neard a thing. Doe's anyone know how to get a mechanic to answer his phone??

Re: Progress so far
 

Wave money under his nose! ::)
Good luck with that >:(

Re: Progress so far
 

Cold Cash or Parts that they want!

Re: Progress so far
 

My progress seems to be only in one direction - BACKWARDS!!

Water in #1 cylinder. Probably leaking head gasket. I need to find a shop in the Boston/Quincy area that can turn this around fast. I'm tired of dealing with mechanics who promise but don't deliver. Any suggestions?

PS. What can I expect $wise to replace the gasket on a 175HP Mercury?

Re: Progress so far
 

Repirts, sorry about your run of bad luck lately. The only decent Merc mechanic I know just had open heart surgery, so he's down for a bit. Just out of curiosity, did the guy who looked at it suggest all you need is a new gasket? Sounds like it may be a little more involved to fix correctly than just a gasket. A new gasket may get you by for a short time, but my guess is that it's still not going to run the way you want it to. Not trying to rain on your parade or anything. Unfortunately, you're going to have a difficult time with a quick turnaround this time of year unless you or somebody else knows someone. I sincerely hope you guys get this thing running and get to enjoy it before the season is over.