I like Seafoam, it does degrease the fuel circuit to some degree, but sometimes with a smaller outboard motor you have to remove the carb, disassemble and clean the idle and main fuel jets to get her going.
Yeah, nothing beats removing and cleaning the carb. This motor though has 4 carbs that are synced so whatever I can do to prolong taking that apart the better!
I have same motor bought new. Seafoam works. But motor only runs on two cylinders until you get to 1800 rpm then other two kick in you should be able to feel this when getting on plane. I use the merc fuel number 1 religiously. Buy good gas needs 89 oct. it’s in the manual. Also use good oil. Mercury or quicksilver oil it’s a good motor. I put 10 gallons of gas and one can of Seafoam at least once a summer and run it. Nice video
Fantastic video thank you! Just thought I’d share this - I came across a forum that recommends a cocktail of 1oz quickleen 1oz quickcare 1-2oz seafoam for every 5-6 gallons run a heavy concentrated mixture then continue to use every tank and she’ll purr like a kitten. Happy boating 🚤
Just add Lucas oil fuel treatment regularly to your gas mixture. It is formulated to remove carbon deposits and keep fuel system clean. I've used it on my cars and now on my Polaris 2 stroke 400 sportsman. It seems to keep the single plug cleaner longer and the exhaust less smokey.
I prefer to do this with the boat in the river, then when finished I can wind it up and ride for an hour or so to blow even more soot out of it. Then clean the plugs when I get home. Less mess, more fun!
Yeah, my goal with this is to let the Seafoam, sit and break down any deposits in the fuel bowl and jets in addition to decarbon-ing the piston/cylinder/valves. It’s probably not a bad idea to get the spray Seafoam and spray through the intake while doing this. I like the idea.
Hello good Sir, I have the 1996, and just got it. Where do i disconnect the gas off the motor to put in the gas can. Any info is much appreciated. New to all this .
@@thehobbymechanic47 copy that. Do you happen to know where to get a manual for this one? Mines 175 1996. I looked around last night and didn't find one that seem to match. Also do you happen you know what runs off each battery? Once again thanks your time.
May be a dumb question, but tried to do the same setup you had with the fuel line in the small gas tank. For some reason my primer wouldn’t fill with gas after I’d squeeze it and would take a few minutes to return to normal shape. What’s the issue?
Is it a new fuel line with bulb or did you disconnect your current line and bulb from your tank? If it's new, maybe you have it pumping the wrong direction? There are direction arrows on the bulb. Just need to connect it in the other direction. Easy fix if that's the case.
I think so. The boat had been sitting unused for a couple of years and didn’t like putting around at low RPM’s. It has no problem now and idles smooth now.
like every video i have seen doing this they cut the line and put it in a container, why not just add one gas to an empty gas tank and not cut the hose?
I can’t speak for everyone but for me it would have taken more time to drain the boats tank. I just used a spare line with bulb for an outboard I had. I didn’t have to cut it.
I used pure brake cleaner and it worked great. I just poured some into the tank, flooded the carb with it, let it sit overnight and the next day it ran like new. I drained the cleaner out of the tank and put the normal gas in... got a Suzuki 15 hp outboard
My problem was running rough at lower RPM’s. I couldn’t putt around at low RPM’s without it stumbling from time to time. This fixed that problem. It’s been running smooth ever since.
Yeah, it did resolve my idle issues but I’m not going to use the bucket next go round. It’s better to find a lake so you get the clean water running through the cooling system and can also run through the RPM’s more effectively.
The little gas tank in the vid is just a temp replacement of the larger main gas tank. If you normally premix your fuel/oil then do that in the small tank that you add your Seafoam to. If you don't premix and the motor handles that for you then nothing additional to do. The motor in this vid is a 2 stroke that has a separate oil reservoir and does the fuel/oil mixing internally.
Yes, ear muffs work perfectly fine. It'll just leave a messy sheen on your driveway if that's where you're doing this. After running through this, I think open water is the way to go if that's an option.
The summer covers are custom made in the Seattle area. A guy came out, measured everything and made the cover. About $1800 all said and done.... Cost more than half what I paid for the boat. I don’t think there’s any way to get them from the factory.
Right on. It’s probably better to do this out on the open water. That way you can work through the RPM’s a little more effectively. Mines been running good so I haven’t had to do this again but I plan to do open water if I do this again. I’ll be on the lookout for your bid!
I did not see any water coming from the tell tale?.mercs with the high velocity cooling usually pump water like a fire truck.sounds like a healthy motor tho
What plugs do you run in your motor? I want to say the manual calls for NGK BU8H surface discharge plug but I've read a lot of people having issue loading up when trying to idle around for long periods. Have you experienced this?
I’m not entirely sure off the top of my head but I think I moved away from the surface discharge plugs. The loading that you’re referring to is probably what I was experiencing before I gave it this tune up and started using the fuel additives. I’ll circle back with the plugs once I get back out to my boat.
Most fuel system cleaners will smoke more than usual but the smoke should at least go back to normal after running a couple of tanks of fresh non-ethanol gas/mix through the motor.
If your carb jets are blocked solid I don't think any cleaner is going to help and you would probably still need to pull the carbs and clean the jets. I do think seafoam is great and helps to remove deposits but it can't work miracles.
Only issue I’ve had is that the oil spills out of the reservoir when the reservoirs full and the motors tilted up. Hard to say it’s terrible since it’s served it’s purpose for the last 28 years. Unless there’s another reason it’s terrible?
@@thehobbymechanic47 vro units are notorious for quitting, and when they do you blow the motor. Ive always replaced my vro units with a manual fuel pump and just started mixing gas
I didn’t show it in the video but I was filling the bucket with hose water and monitoring engine temp as I went. Nothing was boiling and the impeller is fine. Going to run this procedure in a lake from here on out though.
Yeah that's not enough water depth is key I'm a Mercury Certified Mechanic, gotta love watching people destroy their motors listening to some internet expert...
Hi Denis, you might not be able to tell from the video but I was flowing water the entire time/refilling as I went. Towards the end though it started to get gunked up with the exhaust carbon which is why I had to dump the dirty water out and rerun it with clean water one last time. I'm going to do this process on a lake next time...
@pieces of8t just had this issue today. Was certain impeller went out. Read this and had to try it. Your weedeater string trick work perfectly. I'm keeping a piece in the boat from now on.
I like Seafoam, it does degrease the fuel circuit to some degree, but sometimes with a smaller outboard motor you have to remove the carb, disassemble and clean the idle and main fuel jets to get her going.
Yeah, nothing beats removing and cleaning the carb. This motor though has 4 carbs that are synced so whatever I can do to prolong taking that apart the better!
Seafoam works wonders. Use it in all farm equipment, vehicles and landscaping equipment. Everything starts so easy and runs like new
I have same motor bought new. Seafoam works. But motor only runs on two cylinders until you get to 1800 rpm then other two kick in you should be able to feel this when getting on plane. I use the merc fuel number 1 religiously. Buy good gas needs 89 oct. it’s in the manual. Also use good oil. Mercury or quicksilver oil it’s a good motor. I put 10 gallons of gas and one can of Seafoam at least once a summer and run it. Nice video
Fantastic video thank you! Just thought I’d share this - I came across a forum that recommends a cocktail of 1oz quickleen 1oz quickcare 1-2oz seafoam for every 5-6 gallons run a heavy concentrated mixture then continue to use every tank and she’ll purr like a kitten. Happy boating 🚤
Thanks for the info!
Just add Lucas oil fuel treatment regularly to your gas mixture. It is formulated to remove carbon deposits and keep fuel system clean. I've used it on my cars and now on my Polaris 2 stroke 400 sportsman. It seems to keep the single plug cleaner longer and the exhaust less smokey.
Very clear instructions .Thanks for your time.Think I'll try this with my old mariner magnum motor . .
I prefer to do this with the boat in the river, then when finished I can wind it up and ride for an hour or so to blow even more soot out of it. Then clean the plugs when I get home. Less mess, more fun!
I agree. I think doing this in fresh water and being able to fully rev for longer runs is the better way to do this.
Thanks for posting. Just followed your instructions on mine and process worked well.
Great to hear! Thanks for the comment!
It’s not gonna smoke as much through fuel. You have to spray it into the intake to de carbon pistons. In the fuel is fine to run it normally.
Yeah, my goal with this is to let the Seafoam, sit and break down any deposits in the fuel bowl and jets in addition to decarbon-ing the piston/cylinder/valves. It’s probably not a bad idea to get the spray Seafoam and spray through the intake while doing this. I like the idea.
Hello good Sir,
I have the 1996, and just got it. Where do i disconnect the gas off the motor to put in the gas can. Any info is much appreciated. New to all this .
I disconnected mine at the motor. I bought a new rubber fuel hose and utilized the adapter at the motor for the connection.
@@thehobbymechanic47 copy that. Do you happen to know where to get a manual for this one? Mines 175 1996. I looked around last night and didn't find one that seem to match. Also do you happen you know what runs off each battery? Once again thanks your time.
You might get lucky and find one on eBay. Also, some of these old manuals can be found in digital form online. Not sure where though.
I did finally find one. I'm a manual kinda guy to. I Always seems to find good nuggets of info you wouldn't even think of.
Happy boating!
May be a dumb question, but tried to do the same setup you had with the fuel line in the small gas tank. For some reason my primer wouldn’t fill with gas after I’d squeeze it and would take a few minutes to return to normal shape. What’s the issue?
Is it a new fuel line with bulb or did you disconnect your current line and bulb from your tank? If it's new, maybe you have it pumping the wrong direction? There are direction arrows on the bulb. Just need to connect it in the other direction. Easy fix if that's the case.
Do you still put your oil in the gas plus the seafoam?
If you usually premix your fuel in your boats gas tank then you’ll need to premix your fuel in the smaller tank as well.
Great job! Did it make a difference?
I think so. The boat had been sitting unused for a couple of years and didn’t like putting around at low RPM’s. It has no problem now and idles smooth now.
Thanks for the quick reply!
like every video i have seen doing this they cut the line and put it in a container, why not just add one gas to an empty gas tank and not cut the hose?
I can’t speak for everyone but for me it would have taken more time to drain the boats tank. I just used a spare line with bulb for an outboard I had. I didn’t have to cut it.
I used pure brake cleaner and it worked great. I just poured some into the tank, flooded the carb with it, let it sit overnight and the next day it ran like new. I drained the cleaner out of the tank and put the normal gas in... got a Suzuki 15 hp outboard
Great tip!
Thanks. Do you need to replace the fuel filter after treatment?
You shouldn’t have to just for this but it never hurts if you haven’t replaced it in a while.
I want to try this! Did it ride any differently when you went on open water?
My problem was running rough at lower RPM’s. I couldn’t putt around at low RPM’s without it stumbling from time to time. This fixed that problem. It’s been running smooth ever since.
Would this work on a four stroke kicker?
Yes, it works with 4 strokes as well.
You probably got your engine clean well done but maybe you want to consider your cooling system sucking that black soot coming out your engine.
Yeah, it did resolve my idle issues but I’m not going to use the bucket next go round. It’s better to find a lake so you get the clean water running through the cooling system and can also run through the RPM’s more effectively.
I have two strokes so how would that work????
The little gas tank in the vid is just a temp replacement of the larger main gas tank. If you normally premix your fuel/oil then do that in the small tank that you add your Seafoam to. If you don't premix and the motor handles that for you then nothing additional to do. The motor in this vid is a 2 stroke that has a separate oil reservoir and does the fuel/oil mixing internally.
maybe a dumb question, but when you used the seafoam mixture, did you add oil to that mixture? or is straight fuel with seafoam?
Not a dumb question at all. This motor has a built in 2 cycle oil tank and it mixes as it feeds into the motor.
Can you use a pair of muffs instead of the bucket?
Yes, ear muffs work perfectly fine. It'll just leave a messy sheen on your driveway if that's where you're doing this. After running through this, I think open water is the way to go if that's an option.
Ye
We have the same boat and um about to do this same procedure to mine I have a where did u get yr boat covers.?
The summer covers are custom made in the Seattle area. A guy came out, measured everything and made the cover. About $1800 all said and done.... Cost more than half what I paid for the boat. I don’t think there’s any way to get them from the factory.
Good vid mate looking to do a video on this on my channel soon 👍🏻👍🏻
Right on. It’s probably better to do this out on the open water. That way you can work through the RPM’s a little more effectively. Mines been running good so I haven’t had to do this again but I plan to do open water if I do this again. I’ll be on the lookout for your bid!
Use any 2 cycle oil?
This motor auto adds it at the carb. The gas can just replaces the larger tank so I can better manage the Seafoam/Fuel mix.
I did not see any water coming from the tell tale?.mercs with the high velocity cooling usually pump water like a fire truck.sounds like a healthy motor tho
The video doesn’t capture the water hole peeing water all that well. It was working though.
What plugs do you run in your motor? I want to say the manual calls for NGK BU8H surface discharge plug but I've read a lot of people having issue loading up when trying to idle around for long periods. Have you experienced this?
I’m not entirely sure off the top of my head but I think I moved away from the surface discharge plugs. The loading that you’re referring to is probably what I was experiencing before I gave it this tune up and started using the fuel additives. I’ll circle back with the plugs once I get back out to my boat.
Just checked and I’m running NGK BP8H-N-10
90hp Mercury 2 stroke supplied by nitro marine
We have that exact motor
So add Gumout All-In-One Complete Fuel System Cleaner on my 2 stroke mercury outboard and it’s started more smoking more then usual, is that normal?
Most fuel system cleaners will smoke more than usual but the smoke should at least go back to normal after running a couple of tanks of fresh non-ethanol gas/mix through the motor.
My case ,engine shuts off after running do you think this steps will do the job?
It just depends on the symptoms you’re experiencing. If it’s a bad idle leading to the motor shutting down then this + new plugs could possibly help.
If your carb jets are blocked solid I don't think any cleaner is going to help and you would probably still need to pull the carbs and clean the jets. I do think seafoam is great and helps to remove deposits but it can't work miracles.
You said it was 2 stroke but I don’t think you mentioned adding oil to your gas/sea foam mix. Don’t you need to add oil also?
Good question. Most bigger 2 strokes have a separate tank under the cowling for 2 stroke oil and the motor does the mixing for you as you run it.
@@thehobbymechanic47those are vro motors and the vro unit is terrible
Only issue I’ve had is that the oil spills out of the reservoir when the reservoirs full and the motors tilted up. Hard to say it’s terrible since it’s served it’s purpose for the last 28 years. Unless there’s another reason it’s terrible?
@@thehobbymechanic47 vro units are notorious for quitting, and when they do you blow the motor. Ive always replaced my vro units with a manual fuel pump and just started mixing gas
After you got that water boiling gonna ruin your water pump always run cold water through the engine
I didn’t show it in the video but I was filling the bucket with hose water and monitoring engine temp as I went. Nothing was boiling and the impeller is fine. Going to run this procedure in a lake from here on out though.
Yeah that's not enough water depth is key I'm a Mercury Certified Mechanic, gotta love watching people destroy their motors listening to some internet expert...
Man . Water cooling system not pumping . Make sure water in the backet full.. if not you will killed your motor
Hi Denis, you might not be able to tell from the video but I was flowing water the entire time/refilling as I went. Towards the end though it started to get gunked up with the exhaust carbon which is why I had to dump the dirty water out and rerun it with clean water one last time. I'm going to do this process on a lake next time...
Great idea! We have some pretty low tides where I am so your trick will come in handy. Thanks!
@pieces of8t just had this issue today. Was certain impeller went out. Read this and had to try it. Your weedeater string trick work perfectly. I'm keeping a piece in the boat from now on.
add water motor heat up fast
Yep, you always have to monitor how much water you have, how hot/dirty the water is and how hot the motor is.
Seafoam!
Lmfao
Your only problem with the bucket is your put all that bad stuff inside of you Pump 9:51 and your water systemAnd is really nasty and gummy.
True. It gets pretty grey towards the end. I like the idea of doing this at a boat launch in the off season.