Is this little Mercury Outboard 2.5 hp two stroke ruined? Is it a carburetor problem?

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

After making this video, this engine was STILL giving me problems out on the river. It would shut off after a minute or two. But I FINALLY got it sorted out and that video is here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p4DbnXZ-rLZ8hsU

[@Fishinwth_H]

I’m 14 and I cleaned my carb by my self there very easy to clean and put together

[@a-k-jun-1]

Growing up we had an old 9.8 hp Mercury that would start on the second pull every time at home. Without fail it would never start on the Bayou. After many years of this it eventually found its way to the scrap yard

[@BD-oo6ru]

I feel so lucky to have access to ethanol free fuel nearby. Nice work!

[@lorriebuxton2041]

I run ethanol gas in all my small engines cannot let two cycle sit for more then a couple months small amount of sea foam is safe for two cycles it is also a stabilizer it's possible the needle valve had slight corrosion keeping it from opening all the way so it would run out of fuel then after sitting it would start and run a few minutes Honda motors it is common

[@maddgoatee9708]

Great job Wayne. She running really good now.

[@anthonyganz8223]

I like your videos as you present them as a guy just trying to figure out what is going on...not trying to be "the expert"!!! I have a 2.5 hp Suzuki 4 stroke now with 25 hours total run time on my 19 ft sailboat on the CT River. I use "TruFuel" Ethanol Free 4-Cycle which is stocked at Home Depot. It costs a little more than car gas, but for small outboard engines is terrific! The engine starts with a single pull every time, and very little fuel is actually used. I "winterize" it by running it once a month in the winter outside, and it is kept in a semi-heated garage otherwise.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Yeah keeping ethanol out is half the battle!

[@leadreviewer3257]

Good job

[@jbmemphis2151]

I bought this exact motor yesterday… what are the odds I look up videos and you posted one the same day I bought the motor… wild thanks for sharing

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

It's a pretty simple motor! I just wish mine had 'neutral'!

[@Jayden-rg2xx]

Great video. I'm sure you've helped a lot of people.

[@revolverdon]

Thank you for another nice video.

[@theoldshooter9011]

Small gas motors are basically the same. I had a power washer that would do the same thing. Start up fine, but only run for about 30 to 45 seconds then stall. I changed the gas and that had no effect. I decided to put a bit of Techron carb cleaner I picked up from O'Rielly's auto shop. Made all the difference in the world. Now it runs like new.

[@guilparent]

Merci pour le beau vidéo. Bien filmé et bon montage. Bravo.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Merci!

[@j.markkrzystofiak9907]

Ah, nothing better than that “it’s fixed?” feeling!

[@jakecardy1121]

Beautiful little engine that is

[@Lollygagger-k4p]

Tohatsu makes all the small Mercury motors. They are generally very good motors. The 2.5 and earlier 3hp are identical, and have identical issues of finnicky carb performance. They MUST be clean. I ended up just running mine on 1/4 choke or I would be disassembling the damn thing twice during a typical season. Got rid of it and replaced it with a '87 Johnson 7.5hp with no issues at all. Those older OMCs were bombproof, and I've favored their use for most of 30 years - always used. I only sold it because my son gifted me with a very good used Yamaha 9.9. I'm done looking for other motors.

[@bibelot8962]

Add some seafoam twice a summer and seafoam fogger for winterizing.

[@bbb103]

I think the trouble may have been in the second fuel hose.

[@whiteymarauder4372]

Two tips ive used to help with issues like yours: grab a welding torch tip cleaner/brush, theyre tiny metal rods of different diameters that fit through carb jets, that ive used to clean the jets on carbs before. Second tip is run some fuel injector cleaner that has a high P.E.A. content to help with flushing out any gummy deposits that ethanol loved to leave around. Redline sl1, techron, or gumout with regane all have the P.E.A. in them, seafoam does not(but seafoam works wonders for carbon deposits).

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Thanks for sharing!

[@PapaMav]

I would not do this; but what do I know? I've just kept an OB running since 1996....

[@whiteymarauder4372]

@@PapaMav why not?

[@PapaMav]

@@whiteymarauder4372 uneccessary, complicated and more prone to somone f'ing up. Good maintenance and what I have suggested will keep things from getting to a point where you are making the suggestion you make.

[@whiteymarauder4372]

Then congratulations on keeping your motor running. Unfortunately, his was not. I gave advice that ive personally have used for years, with no ill effects. Make sure you dont use my advice if your carb jets get clogged! Best of luck!

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Gut gemacht, Wayne Das Boot Mann!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Gracias, Merci, and Arigato

[@davidwilcox9110]

I have a 30 year old Evinrude outboard that I do nothing with it in the fall except put Stabil in the gas. I use only alcohol free fuel and mine starts every time in the spring with two or three pulls. Rarely do I have to resort to the electric start. I think alcohol free fuel is a winner, especially in all my two cycle lawn maintenance equipment. They all start in the spring with little effort. I find I can even use the same spark plug for a couple of years before replacing. Alcohol free fuel….a WINNER every time. As for your video I agree with the commentator about the fuel line maybe being weak and maybe even collapsing under suction when run at cruising speed.

[@PapaMav]

And when you can't get alcohol free fuel......

[@tmph1814]

Hi Wayne, thank you for the videos. Would like to ask your opinion on how to select the proper motor for a 12 foot 1988 Delta I just picked up. It has no motor with it and I got it cheap with a trailer, 1st time owning a boat.

[@highwatercircutrider]

I only run ethanol fuel in all my small engines. I run them out of fuel until they stall. This includes my chainsaws, lawn mowers tractors, wheel whips, generator and 1964 Ford Ranchero . No problems with any of them.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

I've had good luck and bad luck with the fuel for mine. Usually the biggest problems is from when the fuel is more than 90 days old.

[@Mattalaska]

Thankfully here in AK other than wintertime gas is ethanol free, our snowblower sits all summer and cranks right up the 2nd pull when we need it, same with our lawnmower after a long winter.

[@evolvedmonkey9978]

Wayne I need your knowledge and expertise on these little motors, have a mercury 2.2 2stroke a bit older than your 2.5 and maintenance was done to it, they changed the impeller and the engine is "pissing" water, so water is being conducted towards the block to cool down, but I feel that the engine is getting to hot in the zone right beneath the tank, it is ok for it get hot there? I'm afraid that it overheats and kills the engine, thank you

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

I have been having a similar problem with mine and the a few people have said it might be the head gasket.

[@RugbyLeagueHistory]

Nice video there

[@jerryq1000]

You'd think at some point, outboard manufacturers would design them to be able to withstand methanol! It's damn near impossible to find gas otherwise. For the past few years, I've been using Marine Sta-Bil in ALL my fuel for not only my outboards but lawn and garden equipment as well; I use it year round. I've tried the higher octane fuels and haven't really noticed any difference, except for a lighter wallet!

[@carlschellbach9859]

Ok, but how do you get the carb out of the motor? Thanks!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

I think I pulled the carb in another video.

[@FL_Dolfo]

Can I use ethanol free gas on my Nissan 5hp two stroke ? On the label it says 87 octane but can I use ethanol free

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

If you can get ethanol free gasoline it is the preferred fuel for any outboard engine!

[@choimdachoim9491]

There's always a Murphy's Gas Station near all Walmarts here in S.E. Louisiana...that's where we get our Ethanol-free gas for our truck.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

We had one place in our county - but they stopped

[@choimdachoim9491]

@@WayneTheBoatGuy I've seen videos of people separating the ethanol from gas. Might be worth the effort. It was simple to do, either with an additive or just gravity, I don't remember how exactly.

[@FL_Dolfo]

Same in FL

[@MrSpider8008]

I have a question. It seems as if this 2.5hp is always in gear. I notice when you start it, the water is already churning. Is there a neutral and forward option for this particular motor. I have never dealt with motors smaller than a 5.5hp

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

This one is always in gear - even at an idle. Some newer 2.5s have a neutral or at least a clutch type system so the prop doesn't spin at idle.

[@doncare8976]

sir, do you know mercury 8hp 2 stroke how to change engine oil. gear oil I know.. pls share info.

[@streetcat1510]

I’m running a Honda 6hp 4 stroke running only on E5 on my 11 ft tinny, and every time I dock I switch off the fuel and leave it run until it stops.

[@jasonbroom7147]

The problem, 100%, was the gummed up carb ports, caused by E10 or E15 fuel, which is the absolute worst thing for carburetors. Not exactly good for fuel injectors, as far as that goes.

[@markthomasson5077]

Obviously not in this case. But mine worked fine, but after running in a lumpy sea it started to cut out. Dropped anchor, drained float chamber, and was ok. I guess some water in the fuel. Ps, put a bucket (or umbrella!) under when draining at sea.

[@chrismccartney8668]

Vent cap blocked ?

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

No I actually tested it several times with the cap completely removed just to be sure - because that tripped me up last year!

[@yougeo]

My problem is even more baffling. I'm showing spark and I have good compression but even when I spray starter fluid directly into the cylinders with the carburetor off I can't get a single fire. It's maddening because I don't know what else it could.be.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

That is a tough one. Maybe it's a weak spark - some people say that the spark has to be pretty good in order to do the job.

[@yougeo]

@@WayneTheBoatGuy got it running. The trick was to take spark plugs out and squirt a tiny bit of starter fluid in each cylinder. Then then attempt to start. It caused a small explosion in the lower which seemed to blow out some calcium like blockage. Now the engine runs like a top! I believe that barnacles had blocked the exhaust port. So even though I had compression spark and fuel delivery the exhaust Port prevented proper mixing in the cylinders and stopped combustion. So add to the list to make sure the exhaust Port of an outboard is not internally blocked. Honestly that's the only thing that changed and it's the only thing I can think of that might have made the difference

[@douglasdingwall1596]

If you want to stop that issue, run it out of gas if its going to sit a long time. I live lakefront and my boat goes in the spring and comes out in the fall. Before I take my boat out in the fall, disconnect the fuel line and run it till it sucks air and runs dry. I do it with my lawn mower too. My Mercury 6 hp 2 stroke started on the first pull this spring. I've done this for years they always start when you don't leave fuel in the carbuerator. If you use it intermittently run it out of gas everytime you're done using it.

[@lorriebuxton2041]

One thing that drives me nuts is people yanking pull cord with pawls not engaged ruins starters pull cord enough to engage then pull engine over just got 1968 Evinrude 3hp running

[@ronaldbeatty9423]

Have you tried Sea Foam carb. Clear

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

I have not - but I hear good things about it!

[@timscanlan1466]

I own a cleaning company and we have six pressure washers. I always keep them chopped off. I shut the fuel flow valve off and I let the carburetors run dry. Some of my machines have gone 18 months with a full tank of fuel and nothing else but seafoam mixed with fuel in the tank.

[@petergardner6756]

I had a similar problem and it was a split in the fuel supply line, once the fuel in the carb was gone it pulled air instead of fuel.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Makes me think my fuel line coulda been a guilty party in this one as well!

[@fixingstuff2647]

Is it always in gear?

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Yeah - this outboard has no neutral and you flip it around for reverse

[@PapaMav]

@@WayneTheBoatGuy janky.

[@fixingstuff2647]

@@WayneTheBoatGuy thanks

[@claytonshuntingandfishing]

Was there water in your fuel

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

I didn't actually see any separation and there was no evidence of it in the tank or the carb.

[@Kitchfox]

I'm definitely not finding fault with your maintenance practices. But personally I run my motors for around 10 to 15 minutes before determining them to be ready for action.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

That seems like a good rule of thumb!

[@carlbledsoe1720]

Did you put a fuel filter on motor. This may cure your problem next time

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

I did not - but that is a great idea! Thanks!

[@JamesSmith-wy7zk]

Saved $500 on repair bills. Yay!

[@bengim8332]

I mixed 4% oil in my gas to this motor, but is it just 2%?

[@gjordan8800]

I have used a electric motor for over 30 years l never had a problem with it I love my minn kota 55

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

My old Minn Kota is my most reliable motor too!

[@glamdring0007]

Pretty much all 2 strokes should be completely drained for storage...gas and oil sitting in the carb for months on end is a sure fire way to find trouble.

[@tylerwarren6229]

Those tohastus are the simplist motors, 100% was the vent

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

The vent stuck once and tripped me up last year. This time it wasn't that because it even acted up the same way with the fuel cap completely removed.

[@johnrawson3571]

Where's neutral?

[@nubetoob9292]

So what do you think was the main reasons for it stalling? Dirty carb? Fuel line to carb? Im having the same issue with a 9.9 Mercury stalling at idle.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

I think there was something that was half-blocking the fuel flow in the carb.

[@sharonbraselton4302]

run full piwerer

[@dominikz.1376]

I had a 1971 Dvinrude 2horse and I mean I can make it work, but it’s such a piece of shit. NOBODY BUY ANYTHING LESS THAN 5hp because these tiny 2hp engines are so problematic compared to slightly larger engine options. You’re welcome

[@sharonbraselton4302]

buy new 5 hp 5 amp 12 watt akteener 60 watts charging

[@regio81]

Just from personal experience, double check and make sure you got the right spark plug , if the gap moved might be the wrong plug and piston is closing the spark plug gap. Wtg to get her going again though.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Thanks! - I will take a look at it again soon!

[@stevesutherland1490]

I wish I had 25% of your skills

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

So much is trial and error... sometimes lots of error!

[@Faizeesha]

done subscribe sir

[@PapaMav]

I gave you your solution, twice now; don't make it more complex than needs to be....

[@gillesgomez3091]

Congratulations, it seems to be running as expected now. We will never know what was going wrong: the fuel line, dirt or sticky gas dirt in your carburetor. But it seems cleaning everything was the solution! Let's cross fingers your engine won't let you down in the middle of nowhere during your next boating adventure.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

I was beginning to think I was either going to need a carb rebuild kit or to start really taking things apart!

[@seandwyer3598]

Are you sure it’s not because you’re wearing an Evinrude hat?

[@slacktide_angler]

nice job on the carb clean. I try to stay on top of emptying the floatbowl in my 9.8 Tohatsu, but miss doing so every once in awhile. It's a little screw that's starting to get rounded and worn.. I'm wondering if this little screw can be replaced with a tiny petcock? It would be very convenient to empty with one.

[@guloguloguy]

IS "ETHANOL FREE FUEL" = LEADED GAS?!...WHERE DO YOU GET "NON- ETHANOL, LEAD-FREE" GASOLINE,.... ??!!... WAS THE FUEL QUALITY THE MAIN PROBLEM?! I USED TO HAVE A 2-CYCLE YAMAHA RD-400 MOTORCYCLE, THAT ROUTINELY BECAME "HARD TO START"... WHENEVER THAT HAPPENED, I HAD TO PULL OUT THE SPARK PLUGS, AND CLEAN/SCRAPE THE 2-CYCLE OIL RESIDUE OFF OF THEM... THEN IT RAN GREAT, FOR AWHILE,... UNTILL I HAD TO DO IT AGAIN,... AFTER A FEW HUNDRED MILES...

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Ethanol free is not leaded gas but gas that isn't 5%,10% or 15% ethanol blended.

[@hammer9856]

One other thing to do at the end of the season after you have run it dry and drained your carb is to remove the plugs and spray fogging oil into the cylinders, crank it several times and repeat one of two more times. Then replace and tighten the plugs to spec..

[@sedanchair2]

...Way back in the day I don't recall these small engines being this finicky. I'm talking about seven and a half Evinrude, Scott at Water, and even a two horsepower Elgin. I just don't remember them being this finicky

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

The "lean/rich" fine tuning on a 60s evinrude could often be a hassle to dial in - but the fuel was 'better' back then as well!

[@trcass1]

great segment sir. great troubleshooting. you're right, the weather hasn't been conducive to boating. between the rain, the wind and the small craft warnings on the Chesapeake, its been pretty sketchy. took my 4 hp 4 stroke and my square back canoe out on the Patuxent a week ago. i hooked up my auxiliary tank paddled out 50 yards and cranked and cranked. it wouldn't start. paddled back to shore, loaded it back into my pick up and headed home. i put it on the stand, reconnected the aux fuel tank and it started right up. i believe it was either the fuel connector was not seated right or, the safety switch is defective and works intermittently. looking forward to your day on the water. thanks for sharing.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Yeah the temps have been great - but the winds and the storms - not so much!

[@jimamccracken5783]

Wrong fuel leads to dirty carbs. That is a nice small engine and should be better maintained. Did you learn a lesson?? I do believe so.

[@barrywarren4221]

Maintaining the outboard is important, But I don't winterize my outboard. I run my14footer and 6hp Johnson all year long. If it's a fairly nice day, you see me at the mouth of the Susquehanna, or on the Susquehanna between Port Deposit, or Perryville. But I do let the water drain, and wrap lower unit with insulation. But anyhow Wayne, another great video.

[@WoodboogerFishing]

Been looking forward to this. Glad you got it running! I'm taking notes. You've possibly saved me some future headache. I really enjoy the simple boating stuff you're making. And ended up getting the suzuki 2.5 four stroke. So far i like it. Your video about inexpensive motors was helpful in choosing. Glad i didn't get a Hangkai :)

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Hope you enjoy it!

[@driftlesshunter9200]

Very well done segment. I would have predicted a major carburetor cleaning was going to be necessary, but I would have also done the same steps as you did first. Almost every small engine mechanic will tell you ethanol gas is the number one problem they see with 2-stroke engines. If you can't get non-ethanol gas, running the engine dry (& draining the bowl) may surely help your situation. I'm fortunate to find 91 octane/E0 gas at all my nearby gas stations, & I have very few small engine gas related issues. All my small engines (UTV, 2 ATVs, riding lawnmower, 2 push mowers, grass trimmer, log splitter, rototiller, pressure washer, & 4 chainsaws) get 91/E0 gas, because some will sit for months at at time. I plan on boating again soon, & picked up a small 1993 Johnson 3 hp recently. Thus, I find myself here! I enjoy your content, and this clip in particular was extremely well done! Thanks for sharing!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

1993 - 3 hp - neat!

[@driftlesshunter9200]

30 years old, but brand new. It's never had gas in it yet. Forward & neutral lever & handle twist throttle, too!

[@timscanlan1466]

Wayne, I'm just like that what's my motorcycles. I think I do the best job in the world maintaining them and all of a sudden something pops up where I find out I was doing it wrong. But what do I know I've only been maintaining and riding motorcycles for 40 years. I can't stand this new gas. Keep the shiny side up Captain!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

There ALWAYS seems to be more to learn!

[@Moparfest_Robbie]

I had a consistent carb clog last spring with a ‘60s 33hp Johnson and I replaced the fuel lines, added a filter before the engine and after pulling and cleaning crap out of the carb over 10 times I chased it back to the fuel pump gasket. It had decayed over the winter. The fun of outboards!

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

Yeah those older vacuum fuel pumps seem to really dislike some of the newer fuels!

[@sharonbraselton4302]

eed sçoút 145 hybed 40 hp outbard

[@gillgetter3004]

I don’t keep any fuel more than six months, all my fuel is E10 and my boat and equipment fuel two and four stroke has so called stabilizers in it. After six months I pour it all in my Jeep and use it. Replace it all. Winterize by removing all fuel and draining carb bowls lines etc.

[@WayneTheBoatGuy]

That is a good way to handle it!

[@buddyrevell6369]

You did far more than the average boat owner would do. Then ethanol isnt the problem. The problem is fuel sitting, and the lack of shut-off valves. The fuel will continue to evaporate and drip leaving behind heavy concentrates. Run it dry and you will be fine. For engines of this size i really do think electric is the future. The average joe simply wont try to fix, or pay to have one fixed.

[@driftlesshunter9200]

How do you know ethanol fuel is not the problem? Almost every small engine mechanic that works on 2-stroke engines will tell you ethanol gas is the number problem they encounter. I agree that running it dry at the end of the summer is a good solution. My grass/brush trimmer (29 years old) & multiple chainsaws (newest one 18 years old) will sit for months at a time, & I don't have gas-related issues with 91 octane/0 ethanol fuel. Ethanol is such a problem that one small engine mechanic on You Tube suggests running some gas in your vehicle before filling your gas can for your small engines. That will eliminate any ethanol fuel left in the hose.