First things first. Check the compression on the cylinders. You might find your answer there.
I try to be on the other end of this forum but I'm honestly stumped this time. I have a 3 cylinder 2 stroke mercury. I recently changed the remote steer out for a tiller handle. I bought the motor as remote but never ran it.
Ok after battling with the carbs, I had a piece of rubber stuck in the reed valve. It never chattered or made any noise just never would run right. I pulled the reed plate and got the carbs right.
Now I absolutely can not get the timing right. From idle to W.O.T the motor surges and stutters.
I pulled the #3 plug and no difference. Pulled the #2 plug and no difference. Pulled the #1 plug and the motor dies. It's hard to believe that I have 2 bad cylinders. It's almost like they take turns hitting. The motor stutters until it about dies and then surges and revs up. Also smokes like a chimney from the unburnt fuel when it misses. I have the wiring diagram and can't see anything wrong with the wiring.
I sure hope one of you Merc gurus can help. This is my first one and its eating my lunch lol.
Eatin Ain't Cheatin
First things first. Check the compression on the cylinders. You might find your answer there.
What year is it?
Fair Winds and Following Seas
Bill H. PTC USN Ret
Chesapeake, Va
Did you find out where the piece of rubber came from? Was any of it in the fuel bowls on the carbs?
Fair Winds and Following Seas
Bill H. PTC USN Ret
Chesapeake, Va
No, I couldn't find any rubber in the carbs. Seemed kinda funny to me. It was soft rubber though, not like gasket material, dunno???
Eatin Ain't Cheatin
Index the flywheel and take a timing light and check all three cyls to see if your loosing spark while the motor is running. I would not recomend removing the spark plug wires on a running motor you can damage the electronics.
I would get a $10 air gap spark tester from autozone and put it between the plugs and the boots and see if you had intermittent spark. If so, you might take the powerpack and use a DVA meter to test it.
Thanks for the replys guys. I've been out for a few days. Will get back and let you know the results.
Eatin Ain't Cheatin