Got some great friends that want to go fishing next week, so I took the boat to the lake this evening to check it out, and I've got motor problems.... please read below and help a brotha out!!!

40hp Merc. Hasn't seen the lake since end of October, started twice during the winter. Last time about 1.5 months ago. I know, i know, bad bad... can't change whats already happened. This month, i changed the battery, lower unit oil, a put in new main oil.

Took a couple cranks, but she up ok. I noticed it was running pretty rough, so I left it on the trailer to run for a few minutes. After she warmed up, started running smooth. Pumping water just fine. I cranked it to about 2,500 rpm and let her go (prop disengaged) for a minute, no problems. Ran the prop forwards and back, no problems. Shut it off and started it back up twice, no problems. Decided to back it off the trailer, got it almost all the way off, and it started struggling, then died. Sounded like it ran out of gas. I hooked the teather back on, pumped the ball. Started up, ran for a few seconds, then struggled and died again. Thats all it will do now. Sounds like a fuel problem to me, but I'm not sure. The tank had 6 gallons of gas left over from last year (probably bought in september), I added 4 gallons of fresh high-grade today. Motor seems to be running fine, except for the sputtering and dieing part, ha ha. But it sounds just like when you run your weed-eater out of gas. Know what I mean???

Maybe the gas is bad??? and the new gas didn't help... I guess i should have drained it and put all new????? Maybe fuel injectors or pump????? But why would it run ok for about 10 mins, then start this problem... Do i need some fuel stabilizer????

Where would you guys start diagnosing this problem? Please advise. I figured I'm gonna fill up the spare gas can with fresh gas tomorrow, hook it up to the can an see if it runs. That will tell me if its the gas or not i think. If that don't work... I'm outta ideas. PLEASE HELP.

sounds like a fule pump problem to me, i have had amost the exact same thig happen to me, and my fuel pump is leaking

Is your fuel tank vent clear/open?

Try choking it when it starts to sputter too see if it fuel related.

sounds like the gas has gone bad. gas now a days is [censored] and starts to degrade the moment you pump it. i would try to drain the gas tank and fill it up with fresh gas along with some marine sta-bil. the marine sta-bil keeps fuel fresh for up to a year, cleans the fuel system and fights the ethanol thats in our gas nowadays. just remember that any time you are gonna leave the boat sitting for a while, put some fuel stabalizer in it....good luck

you said you had to pump the ball after it died?

that's your problem right there -- that fuel line should hold pressure all day.

Well, I didn't have to pump the ball, I just did to see if it helped, and it did not.

After reading yall's posts, and talking to some others tonight, I'm almost certain it is fuel related. Chokeing the engine did not help at start up- so that tells me it is not pump/carb related right????? its probably fuel I guess...


Thanks for the good info Javelin. I'm gonna change the fuel, check the lines/filters, put in some stabilizer, and see what happens first thing in the morning. It that doesn't do, I'll move on to the pump I guess.

I greatly appreciate all yalls help

Boats and motors are stupid when all you need is a kayak and paddle. You catch bigger fish without all that noisy equipment.

Mabe so but I like to get around other places than just one aera and that logg want get me there .

Ok kayak man...I would like to see you tournament fish out of a kayak...I would love your donation!
He is asking for help about his motor, so if you can't help him please keep your thoughts to yourself.
The irony of your post is that it was listed in the boats and motors section of this forum...I don't think you will receive much support here!

I like both means of fishing (boat and yak), and have fished from both. they are excellent for different reasons and for different applications. Like comparing apples and bananas (guess which fruit the kayak is, ha ha).

Trouble is, I only have a boat right now... and its broke. (soon to be fixed, about to get elbow deep in that motor, just gotta love it!). May be a pain, but a sense of pride when it runs again.

no one looks down at anyone fishing--from the bank..a boat..or a yak--

it was his smart a$$ that caused others to discard anything he says..
he seems bitter, guess he doesn't have a boat..

Take the fuel line loose at the fuel pump squeeze the bulb see if gas comes out bet the filter is stopped up

Also if this is a carberated engine your carberaters could be gummed up with the varnishes from that old fuel.Just a thought