Outboard trouble shooting

[sycamoreredneck]

I have a 40 horse Merc outboard on my 16' Tracker boat. It starts up just fine and will sit and idle good, but when you move the throttle to go forward or reverse it dies!!! Then when you put it back in nuetral it starts up just fina again and the whole process starts over again. After about 5 or 10 times of this it finaly takes off and runs fine on plane, but after you stop it is back to the same old thing. What seems to be the prooblem with it?? I have been told it sounds like a linkage problem, or a carb problem. What are you fellas thoughts??

[Redhunter1012]

If ir tuns on a coil pack I would bet my left ring finger on it.

[M.Magis]

I'm assuming two stroke.? If so, when's the last time the carb(s) were cleaned? That's very likely your problem, as I doubt it's linkage. At the very least, if it hasn't been done in a while, it can only help. If your not opposed to tearing into it yourself, it's not a bad job. You'll have to get a manual for your motor, and a carb kit for each carb you have. The manual will detail exactly what you need to do. Basically, you just have to disassemble the carbs and soak all metal pieces ( I use Chem Dip from Autozone). After soaking for a half hour or so, blow compressed air through all passages. I do each carb separately so as to not mix the parts up. Some people think that the carb cleaner in a can will do the job, but it just doesn't do it well enough. The parts need to soak. Many people suggest rebuilding every time you clean, but I have to do it so often, and with 3 carbs at $35 a piece for a rebuild kit, I usually just replace the gasgets. Your rebuild kits should be less than that, so you may want to rebuild. Basically, just replace the parts you take out with new ones.

[sycamoreredneck]

Thanks M. I will take your advice and take it to the shop to get the carbs done:D :D I just dont tackle stuff like that cause I would do more damage than good. I would rather pay someone. Thanks for the info.

[eschatts]

Not sure if this is your problem or not, but in a carb that the high speed circuit is plugged this is what usually happens. The low speed is open and that is why it runs. When it warms up it will probably run until you shut it off and it cools down. There are other problems that could have this same effect but this is the most common from my experience.

Ed

[sycamoreredneck]

Thanks, I am runnin out of time to get the ol' tub fixed, Friday is my season opener!!!

[Ohio Sportsman]

I'd say it's the carbs alright, when you winterized it you might have not gotten all the fuel out of the carbs and if it sat all winter gas has a tendency to gum up in cold weather and time. And from my experience with outboards it will take a good going thru them or a kit for each to remedy your problem for trouble free service

[MUZZY MAN]

Our 115 Merc. did the same thing. I rebuilt two of the carbs and it was ok. Screens prolly dirty.