Hey guys,

I have a 2000 90 hp mercury 2 stroke that is losing prime and loses power when i get up on plane.  i plan on changing the fuel/water seperator filter, fuel line,fuel filter and priming bulb. Does it sound like i am on the right track and is there any other things i should check for??

Also while i have you i have a baystar hydraulic steering system that is leaking at the helm. Can i take this to a regular hydraulic shop to be repaired or does it have to have "special" o-rings and seals??

Any help on these 2 items is greatly appreciated  

I have a similar problem as the first with my 91 Merc 40hp. I am going the same route as you, so I would say you are going the right direction. Start the cheapest and the easiest and start eliminating things.

On the helm, you can order the parts for about $10 and do that yourself. Should be able to just pull the steering wheel and gain access to the helm. There should be three screws holding a washer in the center of it. Take the three screws out, pick the seals out, put the new ones in and put it back together.

Is it sucking the primer bulb in so it's collapsed? If so, you have a restriction between it and the tank. The antisiphon valve at the tank, (the fitting the fuel line connects to) could be causing a problem. If not, I would do the stuff your doing but I would also get a fuel pump overhaul kit. My first guess would be the fuel pump needs to be rebuilt. They have some regular carbon steel parts in them and moisture gives them hell. Done seen that too many times.

I would try to find the problem before I started just throwing money at it. Start with the primer blub and work from there.

On the helm, you can order the parts for about $10 and do that yourself. Should be able to just pull the steering wheel and gain access to the helm. There should be three screws holding a washer in the center of it. Take the three screws out, pick the seals out, put the new ones in and put it back together.

Is it sucking the primer bulb in so it's collapsed? If so, you have a restriction between it and the tank. The antisiphon valve at the tank, (the fitting the fuel line connects to) could be causing a problem. If not, I would do the stuff your doing but I would also get a fuel pump overhaul kit. My first guess would be the fuel pump needs to be rebuilt. They have some regular carbon steel parts in them and moisture gives them hell. Done seen that too many times.

the primer bulb does not collapse and i was thinking the fuel pump may be a problem im just crossing my fingers that it may be simple. Is the fuel pump hard to rebuild? Is it something i would have to take to a shop?

Thanks for the help.

btw the helm control was pretty simple to take apart, now to find the parts!!

If you have any mechanical since, you should have no problem with the fuel pump.

I like that comment about finding the problem before throwing money at it.  First you would put a primer bulb on it!!!!!  That's throwing money at it.

99% chance their is nothing wrong with the bulb.  Doubt there is anything wrong with the lines unless they are hard and brittle.  Filter needs to be replaced a couple of times a year if run much with this crap we're getting for gas so that's not throwing money at it.  I would say it's about a 80% probability it's the fuel pump.  Dirty carbs/sticking float can cause similar symthoms but do the pump first.

I had the EXACT same problem on my 99 90hp Merc.  It ended up being the high flow jets in the carbs were gummed up.  Idling and up to about 2500rpm it was perfect but would not do anything more.  It would just not build the rpms.  You may want to have a shop check it out.

Sounds like the fuel pump diaphragm to me.

If you have any mechanical since, you should have no problem with the fuel pump.

I like that comment about finding the problem before throwing money at it. First you would put a primer bulb on it!!!!! That's throwing money at it.

99% chance their is nothing wrong with the bulb. Doubt there is anything wrong with the lines unless they are hard and brittle. Filter needs to be replaced a couple of times a year if run much with this crap we're getting for gas so that's not throwing money at it. I would say it's about a 80% probability it's the fuel pump. Dirty carbs/sticking float can cause similar symthoms but do the pump first.

Not if you check it out before you buy one. Easy to check the bulb and fuel line without purchasing anything. Not one word of my post recommended that he go buy one. While we are at it you might want to take advantage of the spell check button as well as the correct usage of several words that are spelled correctly , but not used correctly. (Example: since in your first line).

Exscuze me, Since I can't spell and only have 45 years outboard experience I should've known better than try to offer any suggestions anyway.

Ya'll have a good day.  I'll leave it to the experts.

Suggestions are great. It was the jerk, uncalled for remark you had to deliver that was out of line.