Taking apart our Mercury 3.3HP outboard for no good reason

[@DowneastThunderCreations]

It never hurts to learn the ins and outs of your outboard. The more familiar you become, the easier it is to diagnose and repair the outboard when something goes wrong. I don't think your exercise was a wasted effort because you were able to clean some of the water passage junk that had started building up. This happens with all outboards used in saltwater and what you accomplished is good preventive maintenance that should be done perhaps once per year at the very least or more often in the tropics to ad longevity to the outboard motor lifespan. Good job, Cory!👍

[@WildlyIntrepid]

Thanks you. You make some good points and also make me feel much better about taking it all appart in the first place. I guess it may become part of our maintenance schedule which has been lacking on our outboard. Cheers.

[@svhappymondays]

Every days a school day on a boat ;) great to see fellow boaters all hands on.

[@WildlyIntrepid]

You're right on with school day. And that's the beauty of making friends with sailors. One day you're towing your friend and the next one they're landing you a hand with your outboard.

[@normanswango7347]

From Diesel engines to outboards Cory’s resume is just getting better. Thanks for the video guys.

[@WildlyIntrepid]

You're welcome Norman. You really have to know a little of everything on a sailboat. You never know what will be the next thing you have to fix.

[@gs425]

Those engines are truly the best. Ive had one since 1991, a second since 2005 and I know then inside out. More often than not the cause of no water from pee hole is a blockage at the pee hole. I have a piece of stiff copper wire under the hood I poke in pee hole to shift blockage when needed.

[@WildlyIntrepid]

Thanks for the tip. We really love ours as well. Such a little work horse.

[@danielboughton3624]

The other common issue is the shift linkage getting stuck. It is plastic and there are 2 little o-rings on the plastic shaft to keep water out and they can get seized up. This can be surprisingly difficult to get loose without breaking things. The new parts are relatively expensive and may not be readily available.

[@PittwaterMowingAustralia]

The Mercury 3.3HP is a great bullet proof outboard motor. I wish they still made them

[@WildlyIntrepid]

We love that little engine. It's gotten us around and out of shitty situations when we didn't have a motor in our sailboat.

[@ericabertrand7579]

I didn't know you had motor issues 😕. It wasn't even really used except for once before hand. Glad you worked out and back on track with friends. Informative video guys😀😢😉🤩

[@WildlyIntrepid]

There's always issues in salt environments or a need for TLC. And sometimes not being used can mean more problems than being used all the time with good maintenance.

[@zack9633]

Good video Thanks. Is there a water tube between the pump and the power head, I bought a Mariner 3.3 HP very similar to yours., but I am confused, never seen one without a water tube, so help me out please., does it have a water tube or not

[@daneulekowski929]

Just had my little dinghy merc. motor apart too. With the marina selling ethanol we've been having issues, they really shouldn't allow ethanol at marinas. Have fun guys

[@WildlyIntrepid]

That's too bad. Is it running good now Dane?

[@daneulekowski929]

@@WildlyIntrepid I'm thinking the needle and seat in the carb went bad or is not seating correctly. The boat is on the hard now, so it's on the list.

[@WildlyIntrepid]

We'll hopefully you get it working without too much trouble.

[@WildlyIntrepid]

Well hopefully you get it working without too much trouble.

[@scottg6799]

Great video! Just got my Nissan 3.5 from the shop. It dies every now and then but always restarts. I'll replace the fuel filter and see if that helps. Leaving soon, Hope to see you this season.

[@WildlyIntrepid]

Thanks Scott. What did they fix on your Nissan? So the boat is almost good to set sail?!

[@scottg6799]

I had a new carborator, impeller, and spark plug put on. I will rebuild the old carb myself and get some spare parts (impeller, spark plug, prop, prop shear pins and cotter pins) as spare kit!. Boat almost ready to go have to finish install of chartplotter and AIS on podium then align prop shaft. Oh yeah, still have to sell car..... But January 1 is absolute last day to shove off. Bahamas 2 weeks later with good wind. Going to check in at West End then continue too Abacos then South until June.@@WildlyIntrepid

[@WildlyIntrepid]

Spare parts are key. Sometimes you just have to give yourself a deadline because it seems like there's always a bit more to do. Jan 1st will be a nice way to start 2022. So excited for you. If the outside anchorage by West End is shitty tuck in Ginn Sur Mer a little SE.

[@alanlovesmusic6442]

I think the outboards are all the same so good so learn a bit when weather permits. Keep spares going forward?

[@WildlyIntrepid]

Learning about them is real good. And like you say Alan; keep spares!

[@travisfsportscontent2749]

could you link this motor for me by chance? Thanks!

[@WildlyIntrepid]

It is a 2-Stroke 2003 Mercury 3.3hp so not sure if you'll find one. We bought it used.

[@matthewdaffern8368]

the impeller waterpump is behind the prop take out the two 10mm bolts ant there it is

[@WildlyIntrepid]

In the video I found the impeller. As far as I know if I remove that section behind the prop I would have a oilly mess to deal with

[@matthewdaffern8368]

@@WildlyIntrepid the water pump is behind the impeller prop there is no oil that will leak out I have the 2.5 mercury 2stroke witch is the same as yours just has no neutral gear I promise it’s there it’s probably wore out with the looks of the engine

[@WildlyIntrepid]

@@matthewdaffern8368 thanks, I'll have to take a better look at it when I get my hands on that engine again.

[@gregkobylarz8648]

The 2.3 and the 3.3 impellers are in different locations.

[@colvinau1403]

They may not know what there doing but atleast there giving it a try and not walking there asses to a marine mechanic

[@WildlyIntrepid]

You learn everyday and you don't have a choice to do things yourself when you are out in the islands