Mariner Outboard Help/Questions

General Boats and Motors
1

I have been working on restoring a 14’ fiberglass jon boat that we have had for years. I am not quite through but need to start thinking about propulsion. I have a 15 Hp Mariner that came with the boat. Based on serial #, I have determined that it is a 1986 (Yamaha built). This motor actually has less than 20 hours on it but has been sitting for more than 10 years. The rope pulls so nothing seems to be seized up.

I imagine that the carb needs rebuilding and the fuel system needs to be cleaned out. Additionally it needs new plugs, the lower unit should be drained/refilled and the water pump should be rebuilt. What if anything else should I do with this motor? I am pretty mechanical though I have never done all this stuff. Is this too much to attempt? Should I just take it to a shop? Just trying to save some $ and learn something in the process. Any help/advice appreciated.

Thanks

2

Yamaha built or Mercury built?? I thought Merc built the older Mariners, I could be mistaken tho, been known to happen!:slight_smile:

Russ B. Formerly known here as “Top2Bottom1”
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3

Found a website (Swedish) and according to it, it is a Yamaha model. Apparently a joint venture between Yamaha and Brunswick at the Sanshin Kogyo factory). The metal tag on the motor mount says Made in Japan.

4

Really, nothing, no words of wisdom? Anyone??? Where is ChrisV???

5

If you can find a manual on it you can probably handle the water pump. The plugs and lower unit oil should be no problem but make sure you have the correct oil and gap for plugs. If the carb an adjustable type I would leave that to the shops. Or start with the screw where it is and slowly turn it inwards counting the turns until it stops. Then after reassembly you can turn screw all the way in and back out the number of turns from the initial part before disassembly. Then it will be close to where it needs to be. Might not be perfect but close so all you have to do is tweek one way or the other. Just keep count of the turns and direction. I am a shade tree mechanic at best so any info given is not the gospel. But I’d say yes to the plugs,water pump if you find a manual and definately the lower unit oil.

6

Thanks Coot I appreciate it. I figure I will give it a shot and if I can’t get it going then the guys at the shop will have something to laugh at.

7

Replace the fuel lines for sure, one: dry rot, two: ethonal. Be sure to get EPA ethonal blend rated fuel line.

8

waterpump
thermostat
carb
new fuel line & primer bulb
I would also remove every screw terminal connector one at a time and clean the electrical connectors with a scotch brite pad
non of it teribly complicated on that little motor, especially if you are pretty mechanical.

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9

That’s good info, had not thought about electrical connections.