My speed odometer on my 96 200EFI Mercury is not working or should i say not working correctly. It was not working at all it had some wood in the hole and i use a small bit by hand to get it out but it still will not work correctly. At times it will come up very slowly to 30MPH but that's at abut 5,000 RPMs and i know i should be around 45 or 50 or so. I'm going to get a flash lite and see if i see anything else in that tiny hole and try blowing air into the hole. Any other ideas would be greatly appreciated.

The sending hose is coming out of the lower unit right in front. Disconnect it and blow air from the disconnect to the lower unit. Then disconnect the hose at the speed-o and blow air from there to the motor. Should clear all obstructions. That was a good idea about using a drill bit by hand to clear out the hole. I have had a couple drill it out using an electric drill and go so far as to drill into the gear case.

I used tweezers last time .pulled it right out.

Mike I think the speed-o feed hose is coming out by the shift shaft and he should be able to see a junction of the hose that can be taken apart, to blow it out.

Yeah. That is what I meant, Sometimes the customer doesn't know what a shift shaft is so I used a loose term,,,,lower unit.

Thanks guys for the information i will take the tube loose at both ends and blow air through them.

just be sure to NOT blow air towards the speedometer. it could damage the gauge.

I have found that a straightened wire hook also works good to clean the hole. The barb will grab hold of debris. This is unless it is really packed in there.