Hey Everyone - I've got a 1997 75 HP (75ELPT0) Mercury motor. I've had her for 13 years, and have not had any issues. This weekend, she started as good as ever, left the dock, and she ran good. On the way back in, after about three minutes of running perfect, she had a miss, and then picked back up for about five seconds, and then the "miss" was permanent. When I say miss, I don't mean like one cylinder. Instead, it's like she is starving for fuel. I'm giving her full throttle, but she is running like the throttle is only slightly open. I've tried with both the engine in gear or out of gear, and it's the same.

As I limped back to the dock, I was running it at WOT, but running 3 mph, and then, she picked up like nothing was wrong for about 15 seconds, and then she came back to the poor operation - I didn't change throttle position or nothing. Earlier this year (March I believe), I put on new fuel lines, bulb, and fuel filter, and she has ran good all this time. I've verified the linkage is working as normal, and I don't see anything that is concerning.

My thoughts are fuel pump, but wanted to get everyone else's thought before spending any money. So, what do you think?? Thanks a bunch in advance! Ed.