Is this motor destroyed and needing of a rebuild.

I have a 1997 Mercury Force 120 Carbureted outboard. A few months ago I had some carburetor cleaning/rebuild on the motor for some more dependable and stronger performance.

I have used the motor less than 6 times since having this work done. Yesterday, I was running across the lake, and I noticed that I was able to get on plane, but not able to get to 5000 rpm. I stopped in the middle of the lake and
recognized a slight sheen on the water (I thought it was some spilled fish oil that was working it's way through the scuppers). When I returned to get the boat back on plane, it ran for a few miles "Cut out", sped up, then I heard a "Cajunk" (like dropping a large rock onto concrete), and then the engine died. I thought I might have pulled the 'kill switch', but the kill switch plug was in, and it would not turn. I moved to the back of the boat and noticed a liquid pouring out of the bottom of the cowling. It was gas�premix (I mix my fuel 50:1).

After disconnecting the fuel line from the motor. I opened the cowling to find pproximately 6 cups of fuel in the bottom of the cowling engine area (that was little scary, considering all the electrical wires (plugged and unplugged) sitting in the fuel.

I drained off the gas, and washed out the bottom with water. I noticed that there was a cap/cup (likes like the cap to the old ZEBCO fishing reels) sitting in the bottom of the housing under the motor. I also noticed that under the bottom carburetor there was a square white plastic piece hanging and dripping lots of fuel. I assume this is some sort of float. (the carburetor above had this 'cap'/cup and a black tube running to it (I could not locate a 'free' plastic tube). It is a fairly small engine, and normally, I can turn the 'fly wheel' fairly easy, but now I could not budge it.

Is it possible that since the pistons/cylinders are lubricated with the oil premixed in the gas, that two of the piston/cylinders didn't get
the gas/oil but continued to run until they seized. I want to make certain I get better idea of what happened before I jump
on the mechanic.

It sounds like the float bowl fell off & that 1 cylinder probably seized.

Destroyed - cost you more to fix than it is probably worth.

Thanks, that's what I figured.

Jman is right, it would cost more to fix it than it would be worth! You can find a good used motor for a lot less than you could rebuild that one! Hooker has? or had an 85hp Johnson for sale cheap, that would be a good one to get back on the water with fast!It is an older motor, butr those old motors like that were bullet proof!

From what you said it does sound like the float bowl fell off, but, there is the possibility that the diaphram in the fuel pump failed and it filled the block up with fuel. Pull the sparkplugs and see. Run a compression test. If the motor won,t turn over.............deep six it.

yep sounds like the fuel bowl feel off also

Thanks... I just had the Carbs rebuilt, and I have not been successful in contacting FlowingWells Marine on Lake Texoma. I had it out only 6 times, and then this happens. I also had them add a new steering cable, and replace the "Clutch Dog". Now all that appears to be useless.

The engine would not turn, I couldn't budge the fly wheel. Normally, you can pull start it with a rope, when I had problems with the started and the abendix not enganging (later found out that I could turned the abendix backwards and slow engage/wedge it into the fly wheel and then use the key, but fixed it by lubricating the starter shaft).

An 85hp motor isn't going to push this boat. The 120hp is the smallest motor that could handle it and the fastest I ever had that up to was 34mph (using GPS). I am looking for an extended shaft 175 HP Mercury (but I am only able to locate 200HP extended shaft Mercury outboards around here). If you know of any 175 Mercury for sale, I please let me know. Trophy told me I could put a 200HP, but then I couldn't enter any Striper tournaments, because the plate indicates that it has a max rating of 175.

Thanks for your assistance.

If you just had the carbs rebuilt by a dealer, and the bowl falls off, toasting that cylinder, I would tow it back to them just the way it is, with the bowl off and the float just hanging there, and let them tell you that the cylinder is bad. Seems pretty obvious to me that somebody didn't tighten the bowl back on. If they rebuilt the carbs, they definetly had to take the bowl off.

Mike, it sounds like the guys that did the work screwed something up.

You might try Jaco's marine in Tennessee if you want a motor. They are selling out their 05's. I got a new 05 150 optimax for 8453 which is way below what they usually sell for.

I was driving through and they hung the motor and they are great people, family owned. I do know that shipping is not that expensive either. I think you could have one shipped here by their contractor for only a few hundred dollars.

Ranger335 is right. Return it to them with copy of your invoice. The repair shop should fix it. Lawyers love this stuff. The 175 Merc is good idea but get ready to drop 4 to 5 grand by the time you get it on your boat. I have been looking for a good late model 175efi for about 1 year, no luck. Even if you change motors, make them fix the 120 so you can recapture some expense. Good Luck

I would try to get the Carb shop to fix it. Then check to see what a rebuild would run as compared to what a used motor the same year or newer would cost. Chances are the rebuild will be about comparable, and at least you'll know what you have. If you buy another used motor, that is a roll of the dice again.

Thanks for the advise.

I was finally able to reach them, after contacting the marina, I was given another number. The repair shop no longer has a receptionist, so no one answered that phone, but they did pick up the other number offered by the marina.

I dropped it off yesterday (Sunday) for them to examine, after I took 20 pictures of the motor and the carbs.

I have previously spoken to a repair shop that offered a 1997 (same year as my boat) 175 HP Extended shaft, that offered a 6 month warranty. It had a burnt piston that the shop was going to repair, along with replace starter, Stator, etc and paint the cowling (I have not seen the motor yet). It was something I was going to consider.

The shop owner said that the Mercury EFI are very good reliable motors, and after I expressed concern about the oil pump/mechanism, he said they never fail (however, this motor he was offering me had a burnt piston).

Along with more power, I also want something a lot more quite. I have removable seats in the back of the boat (probably the most comfortable in rough water conditions), but this motor is so loud that noone wants to sit back there. I am even considering build a cover for the outboard engine compartment (like you see on the larger saltwater fishing boats on t.v.). Maybe use the top of this cover to either hang more rods, or add a cutting board to clean fish or cut bait.

I will keep everyone up to date on the progress.

Thanks

any news?