tizfun Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Hey everyone. I thought to ask here before possibly taking it to the shop. I just picked a Merc 4hp 4 stroke and while running it in a barrel, I noticed this green like substance floating on the water. Water was clean when I first put it in.. The motor starts up great but it also won't idle down low.. when I turn the throttle handle it stalls out.. Any tips or any advice on what it could be.. What the cost would be to repair if it needs it.. Thanks, Tiz Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freshtrax Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Is it full of fogging oil? I'd get it warmed up and rev it some see if it clears out before taking it in. Does it run better with the choke on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 I dont trust a barrel test for anyhing. Put it on a boat and take it for a rip. Bring paddles. S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tizfun Posted April 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 It seems to run really well. When starting with the choke on, it starts right up and idles quicker. As it warms up, I pushed the choke back in and it idles down and runs but stalls when you turning the throttle to it's lowest point.. (the turtle) lol . I put it in forward and gave it throttle and it sound good and seem like normal.. Was just wondering what the greenish stuff on the surface of the water was. It's also running last years gas.. from August Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattaw Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 It seems to run really well. When starting with the choke on, it starts right up and idles quicker. As it warms up, I pushed the choke back in and it idles down and runs but stalls when you turning the throttle to it's lowest point.. (the turtle) lol . I put it in forward and gave it throttle and it sound good and seem like normal.. Was just wondering what the greenish stuff on the surface of the water was. It's also running last years gas.. from August Did you put stabil or another ethanol treatment in the gas when you stored it? If not, don't run that gas... pump it out asap before you damage your motor. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tizfun Posted April 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Yeah, the guy I bought it from said he put stabil in the tank, but there's only like a quarter tank of gas. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Freshtrax Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Fresh gas . Try again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Cliff Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Fresh gas . Try again. X 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wormdunker Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Yup X a whole bunch - FRESH GAS!! I only use Shell V power in my outdoor toys. V power contains no ethanol which damages a lot of out board motors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sinker Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Has the lower unit oil been changed recently? That oil will leave a slick in the barrel if there is any residue on the lower unit. If you havent changed it, you should. And yeah, new gas for sure. Premium. S. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dave524 Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Crankcase oil getting in the cylinder? Unlike a 2 stroke I understand they have to be stored upright or at least a certain side up if laid down.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lakerguy Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Remove carb and have it completely cleaned. Mechanic in a can and fresh gas won't cure clogged up fuel circuits Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NANUK Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Fresh gas + sea foam, check spark plug, replace if looks dirty/oily and let it run for a good 20 minutes, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 (edited) Vacuum leak? Although a fresh tank of gas is definitely the first thing you should try. Edited April 13, 2016 by BillM Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tizfun Posted April 13, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Here's the motor... Not to bad for $300.00 .. I will change the oil and add fresh gas this week.. Thanks for all the tips.. Very much appreciated !!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Cliff Posted April 13, 2016 Report Share Posted April 13, 2016 Excellent deal as long as there are no serious issues with it. Let us know when you have had a chance to try the suggestions. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chris.brock Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 Crankcase oil getting in the cylinder? Unlike a 2 stroke I understand they have to be stored upright or at least a certain side up if laid down.. Yep. When you bought it and put it in your vehicle, did you lay it on the correct side? Sweet deal if there isn't any serious issues. Fresh premium gas and oil and taker for a rip. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tizfun Posted April 14, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 Yeah Chris, it was on the tiller handle side while in the truck. There's a sticker on the motor showing it .. I'll let you all know how it turns out. Thanks again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rizzo Posted April 14, 2016 Report Share Posted April 14, 2016 wow sweet deal hope it all works out Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tizfun Posted April 19, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 Update : I filled the tank with some fresh premium gas, purchased some new plugs. fired it up.. waited for it to warm up and it runs much much better than before.. It still stalled on me when I tried to get it right down to the lowest troll.. My good buddy Mike popped by on Sunday while I was tinkering in the garage and he's awesome with small outboard 2 and 4 stroke motors. Not a marine mechanic, but just knows his crap. He made some adjustment and got it purring like a kitten.. He laughed and wouldn't tell me what he did. I still don't know what he did, but I'm very grateful. He calls me today and laughed as he offered me $500.00 for it. Ran it again tonight, and it runs so good. I'm keeping her. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Big Cliff Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 That is wonderful news, I think you owe Mike a beer (or two). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BillM Posted April 19, 2016 Report Share Posted April 19, 2016 You leave the choke on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
maker a laker Posted April 20, 2016 Report Share Posted April 20, 2016 Awesome motor that will troll all day on 2-3 litres of gas. Used one for 5 years without issue, 3-4 trips 4 days long per year. Always fresh plugs every 100 running hrs, stabilized, premium high octane gas. New lower unit gear oil every second season. Always spray fogging oil into plug or carb as you are running the motor dry of old gas at the end of the season. Starts first pull every new season it you treat it this way. Impossible to know if former owner treated it this way. Are you using a remote tank or the top mounted integrated tank? Make sure the top mounted tank under the cover does not have any old gas left inside. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tizfun Posted April 21, 2016 Author Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 Hey, choke was on when we started it up and as it warmed up it was pushed back in. Runs totally different now than when I tested it with the seller. A little Sea foam in the tank too. I haven't checked the internal tank for fuel, I've only used the 3.5 gal . Thanks for all the tips and advice. Now to get a bigger boat to use it as my kicker.. If not, I'll list it forsale later this season. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old Ironmaker Posted April 21, 2016 Report Share Posted April 21, 2016 I'll give you $505.00. Since that thing is going to sip fuel use Shell V Power as Wormdunker suggested. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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