Point me in the right direction-Poor idle

[jamoore]

Just put my Mirage in the water for the first time in about 8 years. Stock 1988 (I think) 200 Merc. Low water pick up, oil injection removed. Before I started the motor I went through the carbs but they looked great. All fresh fuel (old gas was drained long time ago). Started up without much issue. Runs good on the hose but when I put her in the water, she does not want to idle, cuts off. Does this in or out of gear. Have to give it some gas to keep it running and even then it is rough and might cut off. Once off idle everything seems normal. Gets up and screams along just fine. Only issue is when I have to slow back down to an idle. Please point me in the direction to start looking. P.S. Forgot how much I liked buzzing along in this old girl. Thanks Joey

[rjdubiel]

I would get 3 carb kits and go through it all and replace all gaskets and make sure there is nothing stuck in an air port or something like that. Maybe even the needle not stopping the fuel flow and its flooding the motor some? We just had to do that to a 200 as well. I think you can get 3 kits with needles and seats for 75-80 bucks on ebay shipped. Maybe something is plugged up under the top plate on the carb?

[mercrazy]

its flooding to death from fuel puddling in front of reeds and then is carried into cylinders through bleed lines. they make restrictors to put in lines to slow it down. fiberglass reeds can help. be sure sinc and link is correct and set idle timing for 600rpm+ in gear. i start in gear and set my idle at 800rpm or higher.

[Dave S]

low speed stator isu.....or... bad fuel pump rubber.... DaaDaachngeee. Or if ya didn;t clean the Tubes....From top to bottom.......

[Merc 2.5]

Pull breather off and pump ball and see if fuel floods out of carbs , float stuck open flood out ,stuck shut run lean and sneeze alot

[jamoore]

I appreciate all the replies and suggestions. My only question is would the above situations result in it idling fine while on the hose out of the water but bad when in the water?? Just curious, seems like it would be bad out of the water as well. Of course I am a complete amateur which is why I turn to you guys for guidance. You all have way more knowledge and experience than I will ever have. Thanks again.

[KIRCHNER]

MY 200 always idles higher on the hose. than at the ramp. when the mid is submerged back pressure effects idle rpm. im at about 900 on the hose but lower in the water. maybe just turn up the idle abit and see how the rpm is at ramp. that would be an easy fix.

[Merc 2.5]

The idle "quality" shouldn't change , only a lower idle, but if u pit n water and wont idle , u have a prob, always idle good on hose compared to submerged

[jamoore]

Thanks again, yes it idles decent on the hose and it is a little higher on RPM. In the water it is lower RPM and wont stay running at idle. Even when I give it some throttle it wont idle for very long. It dies and is not easy to re-start. Once we are up and going everything seems normal and runs like a champ,

[tlwjkw]

J I went through the carbs but they looked great.

did ya replace ALL tha old gaskets with new inside and out?

[Motv18]

Might just need adjustment depending on what screws were moved and parts ect... if it has the different carb on one or two spots check their on the right spot.

If thats good this group group here will help you get it lined out

[jamoore]

Well I did some checking around and ran a compression check just to make sure all 6 were up to snuff ( I know leakdown is the better test but compression tester is what I have) anyway, all six were fine. I went ahead and adjusted the idle up some. Idles about 1000 on the hose. Took it out today and idled pretty good in the water. It starts right up and will idle in the water, would not stay running in water before. Idle quality is about as good as I remember it being, I don't recall this or any of these old motors idling very good anyway. Now got another issue. Will post separately Thanks to all for feedback. Joey

[pcrussell50]

Pull breather off and pump ball and see if fuel floods out of carbs , float stuck open flood out ,stuck shut run lean and sneeze alot

Is this a reliable test for a needle "stuck open or stuck closed" situation? IOW, If I squeeze the crap out of the bulb and it remains firm with no gas coming out of any of the carbs, can I safely assume the needles are closing as they should?

-Peter

[rochelle howell]

Yep. If you're squeezing the primer ball firmly after it gets hard, and no fuel is leaking from carb throats you should be o.k.,

[Merc 2.5]

Is this a reliable test for a needle "stuck open or stuck closed" situation? IOW, If I squeeze the crap out of the bulb and it remains firm with no gas coming out of any of the carbs, can I safely assume the needles are closing as they should?

-Peter

Yes sir that's correct , but usually that causes poor idle but not the lean sneeze/cough, sneeze and cough come from , lean , a miss ,stopped up carb