Fouled plug???
 

Well the boat ran great today, until after a long troll and a few drifts with the engine idleing the boat just died, and would not idle, so after 10/15 min of letting her rest and trying to get it started it finaly started with the wile had the rev thingy crnak and I had to slam it in gear to get it going.
I did not change the plugs after the winter, because the lasdt time I went out it ran fine ( I did just change them now ::) ). Would fouled plugs make it stall?? I figure after the long trole and the extend time in indel I fouled the plugs?? ???

Re: Fouled plug???
 

There's actually too many things to list, however reducing the list is somewhat helpful.
Old gas
Water in tank
Residue on plugs thru winter hibernation
Wish I could think of more things to complicate the beginning of the season.
On a "79, where are the tanks located and the fill spout in relation to the front or back of the tank(s).

Re: Fouled plug???
 

Thanks, I new you would be there for me ;D
Gas is new, just changed the water seperator.
When I chsanged the plugs they all did have a oily substance all over them :-/

Re: Fouled plug???
 

What did they look mlike when you took them out? Black and all gumed up or just wet? Need more info?

Hows the gas? when did you change the filter last?? This new gas gets water easy and also clogs filters fast cause it cleans the tanks out.

Change out new plugs, change filter add some seafoam to the gas, fill tanks to freshen up the gas.
Make sure vents are clear, Bugs love to nest there and really can mess things up!

Re: Fouled plug???
 

Being you got a seperator, do what MJ said.
Just for future reference, when changing filters, dump out what is in filter into a glass jar and evualate possible problems (water, trash, etc).

Re: Fouled plug???
 

MJ, they were black, but not gummy cleaned up easy.
THe gas should be fine, I have since filled up and used most of my gas this year. But I will treat it with seafoam, thanks for the tip.
gas vent should be OK, I over filled and gas camming shooting out, so I assume it is clear ::)
I also over fille my oil resevoir, and half w :Pay threw the trip I noticed it bubling out threw the opening. but I just tighten it down and it was fine, i think

Re: Fouled plug???
 

Good tip tsbuaki.
my inline gas filter in the engine hasn't been changed. I still cant figure out how to take it off ::)

Re: Fouled plug???
 

Don't asume that the vents are good!!

I have seen gas come out of some and there is a loop or a high spot were the gas can't drain back to the tank causing a restriction in the line.

Blow some air thur them to make sure.

Re: Fouled plug???
 

CAREFUL ! Don't stick an airhose to the fittings to be able to blowout the tanks. They usually are only capable of 3-5psi of pressure.

Re: Fouled plug???
 

I'm not sure about your motor. Some are removed by a tie wrap and barbed fitting and then unscrewed. I wouldn't doubt that some aren't serviceable, just replaceable.

Re: Fouled plug???
 

Thanks for the heads up, I was just about to break out the compressor :o

Re: Fouled plug???
 

yes!! I have had the gas cap off and blew air in there and it looked like old faithful shooting out!!

Losen the cover but leave on, blow just a quick small shot, that will be fine!

Re: Fouled plug???
 

are you running oil injection? if so your oiler sounds like it's over oiling at idle.

Re: Fouled plug???
 

you are running oil injection and the cap was loose on the tank. thats not good. on the merc/mariner there is no oil pump for the tank. it uses pressure from the crankcase to pressurize the oiltank and push the oil into the the tank on the motor. make sure that tank cap is tight..

Re: Fouled plug???
 

IF gas shot outta the vent and IF there's a loop in the vent hose, then there probably is gas in the loop, which will stop air from goin into the tank which will stop your motor...if plugs were only wet, then they're OK ... it's gunk on 'em that'll cause probs...that said, try a trollin'/idlin' tip and OB Tech told me; tilt the motor where back is just above level... this will prevent unburned oil from building up in the "top" of the cylinder, close to the plug, which contributes to fouled plugs ...

Re: Fouled plug???
 

MJ, I blew some air inot the intak and I could here it bubbling in the tank.
Skools, It is oil injected, but if it was over oiling wouldn't it smoke?
Phatdaddy, I did not know that, thanks!! I usually don't tighten either my gas cap or oil cap to tights as the swell durung the day/heat and are a pain in the *** to loosen. That must be why it was bubling out of the cap, the preasure was pushing it out slowly. Thanks'!
Reel, thanks for the tip, that makes sense, and it will also allow me to knock some speed off of my troll ;) ;D ( I cant get under 3.0mph cosistently with dragging buckets ;D)

Well with the combination of all this advise I have a litle more confidents in Tuesdays planned trip ;D
THanks!!!!!

Re: Fouled plug???
 

All good tips. Seafoam is great. Soot fouled plugs will definitely cause problems with any motor.