Posts: 793
Location: Ames, Iowa | Was out for the first time a week ago and have a recurring prob from last year still with me. 2000 40 HP carbed (3 carbs) 4 stroke Mercury. Had it 3 years- love it.
Late last year would run great for a good hour or more, making multiple starts between spots successfully. Then when I am coming into a spot to fish and slowing it starts to shudder and run rough until dying during idle. Then I couldn't get it started for about 45 minutes (fear of burning up the starter at that point). It was like there was no gas in the thing- like spark with no kick over. Ball was hard but no start. Was patient- let it cool- got the ball hard- cover off- finally started- back to harbor. This probably happened a good half dozen times.
Week ago it started running rough as I was slowing, didn't die, but after that couldn't get over 2000 rpm without running rough. Ran great below 2000 rpm. I got to the ramp and got her out.
Yesterday I started looking over the gas lines to see if they weren't cracked- they're great. The Carbs were rebuilt a couple times in the last couple years due to inactivity and fouling. I had a bit of gas on the screws on the outside of the carbs. Also had some gas stains on the breather hose where it inserts. I squeezed the ball and also worked the linkage on the air intakes while I squeezed. I noticed a gas leak coming from the front end of the sound attenuator at the bottom of it. Is this leak related to the running issue? Any suggestions? By the way I know just enough to do something stupid with this motor, so I am ready to take it to my mechanic up at Leech when I go- it'll waste a day but oh well. |
