Why does my Mercury outboard stall when I put it in gear?

Why does my Mercury outboard stall when I put it in gear?

Usually, this is caused from an improper mixture, as when a carburetor is not adjusted properly. On the side of a carburetor, there is an idle air adjustment screw.

How do you adjust the idle on a Mercury outboard?

Insert a screwdriver into the Mercury’s idle adjustment screw, located at the bottom of the carburetor, and turn it to the left until the motor barely continues to run. Insert the screwdriver into the valve screw and turn it in 1/8-turn increments to the right until the motor idles evenly and smooth.

Why does my outboard motor keep stalling?

Your outboard may be stalling & running out of fuel due to three issues. Either the lift pump has failed, the boat is out of fuel or there is an air leak or blockage somewhere in the fuel lines running fuel from the tank to the engine. There are several methods to troubleshooting a stalling outboard engine.

What RPM should a boat idle?

1500 RPM is normal for idle. You can see some fluctuation (1500-1800), especially if plugs get old or you are out of the water on the hose with no resistance on the impellers.

How do you troubleshoot a Mercury outboard motor?

When the outboard motor fails to start, verify all of the following:

1. Gas in the tank.
2. Fuel shutoff valve is on.
3. Examine fuel filter for clogs, and fuel line for kinks or leaks.
4. Check for a dirty or old spark plug, improper carburetor adjustments, or broken or faulty ignition wires.
5. Air vent in fuel cap not open.

Why is my boat stalling when I accelerate?

If the ratio of fuel to air becomes too high or too low, the engine will run poorly, especially while accelerating. Mixtures that have too much air and not enough fuel are lean and tend to reduce the amount of power available under load and can cause stalling.

How do you adjust the idle on a Mercury outboard motor?

How do you adjust the idle on a Mercury outboard motor? Insert a screwdriver into the Mercury’s idle adjustment screw, located at the bottom of the carburetor, and turn it to the left until the motor barely continues to run.

Why won’t my outboard motor hold an idle?

When an outboard motor runs at speed but cannot hold an idle, it usually indicates a problem with the carburetor. Outboard motor designs vary depending on make and model, but all operate on similar principles.

Why won’t my outboard motor start up?

It might be something as simple as the carburetor idling screw needing a small adjustment, so check that first and adjust it if needed. If your outboard has fuel injection instead of a carburetor, try cleaning the idle air control (IAC) valve.

What to do if your outboard has air in the engine?

If your outboard has fuel injection instead of a carburetor, try cleaning the idle air control (IAC) valve. This valve regulates airflow into the engine, so make sure it isn’t clogged with dirt and air can pass through it freely.