Outboard tips.

[yogi]

Hi guys,
I finally took the plunge and bought a used dinghy a couple of days ago. It's a 4.0 Sea Hunter with an old 18hp Mercury. Anyone has any experience with this boat or O/B? Sorry for not providing anymore details but I absolutely have none. With absolutely no boating experience, I have some questions about operating the Outboard and its maintenance.
Can anyone explain the use of the choke on the O/B? And what are some of the procedures I have to do to keep the O/B maintained?
It's a nice feeling to be finally fishing from my own boat. Once I get the hang of it, I'll definitely invite my fellow breamers to join me. ;)

Yogi

[Geoff R]

Good on ya Yogi, mate the only time i use the choke on my motor is just before i start it for the first time of the day. Make sure you prime your motor with fuel by squeezing the fuel bladder, pull the choke out, set your throttle to the start position then pull the rip cord. Once the motor starts push your choke in straight away, you won't need it once the motor is running.
As for it's technical use, I'm not a mechanic's guru but i know it allows more fuel into the cylinders of your motor to help get it started.
Good luck and be safe
Regards Geoff
Ps Make sure your motor is chained or bolted to your boat, one of my original motors is still on the bottom of melvile water somewhere:eek:

[yogi]

Thank Geoff,
I keep that 2nd tip about bolting the engine on in mine. But I always keep my oars handy...haha. :D
My choke is a rotary switch, does anyone else has something like that? Thanks!

Yogi

[yogi]

Tks rod,
do you guys service the older Mercury outboards? I was planning to service my OBM and fix up some fault on it. Cheers!


Yogi.

[Jocool]

Like Geoff said Yogi. Use the choke first thing in the morning only! You said yours is a rotary. All that does is bring a flap down over the throat of the carbuerettor to restrict the air going in, thefore CHOKING the motor, and increasing the fuel to air ratio to make it easier to start!:D

Is that too much information?

As far as servicing goes...If it aint broke...dont touch it!!! LOL

Seriously...spend a few dollars, change the water pump impeller..about $30..drain the oil from the gearbox and replace it..and grease all the nipples...thats about it really!

But I have a 20 - 25hp Merc / Mariner owners manual here that I have no use for (sold the OB motor eons ago and couldn't find the manual at the time)...

My 25 Mariner had that same pull - rotate choke system I think.

When you rotate the choke it does increase idle speed rpms.

However, when you pull the choke out it squirts a small amount of fuel down the carburettor throat. With mine it helped it to start when cold if you pulled and pushed the choke knob 3 or 4 times at least before trying to start it. (That way you got 3 or 4 squirts of fuel and it'd go first pull otherwise if you just pulled the choke out once you had to pull the rip chord many times before it would suck enough fuel to start on it's own).

Took me years of yankin on that bloody chord to get it to start when cold in the mornings before I found out about pulling the choke knob 3 or 4 times!!!.

Once I did it used to start first pull every time.

As Homer Simpson would say Duh!

Anyone wants the free manual just PM me a postal address And i'll post it, it's no use to me.

Cheers!

[yogi]

Hi trouty,
thanks for the reply but unfortunately I cracked the crank sheave trying to start the engine a couple of days ago with my mate fishing near Jojos. :confused: Now i'm looking for a mercury mechanic to fix the motor but I'll be glad to have the manual. ;)
I'll send you a PM with my postal address. Cheers!

Yogi

[cody]

Gday

Ive never heard of a 18 hoarse power outboard.

[yogi]

Hi Cody,

it's a pretty old outboard but quite powerful for its rating. Planes my boat with 4 on board quite well. Here's a pic.


Yogi

[don]

judgeing by the photo it looks like you have just poped the starter cord rewind spring .should be pritty eze to fix .may just nead resetting or a worst a new spring.
hope that helps

[cody]

Gday

not a bad size, ive got a 15hp and i was thinking of upgrading to a 20.