Ok so I just bought a used boat and motor. I was able to get her out for the first time today with my buddy. It took 4 ever but my buddy and I was finally able to figure out how your suppose to start her. Were used to the old 9.9 and hadn't had much experienced with a 87 60hp merc. While in the process I chocked and killed the engine several times. However I finally figured out the correct procedure and after some idling around decided to take her on plane. We set off and I pushed the motor throttle up. We got up and let out a big wahoo were on plane!!! Then about 7 or 8 seconds later the engine started bogging down and finally died. Well we checked the ball and discovered our gas intake was hooked to the tank that was empty. So we connected it to the one that was full. Still we had the same problem on the other tank. We pressured the ball and un tighted the cap on the gas tank that provides air pressure. We didn't unscrew it and it's a metal tank that I'm not to familiar with honestly. Well I remembered he said he didn't take it out all to often and it must have sat all winter. He told me he did use stabil though. So we docked and got a few gallons of fresh gas and oil in the dry tank. We moved the gas intake back to the tank with the fresh gas and the problem continued.

So I gave the guy I bought it from a call to see if he's had any problems like this. I didn't expect yeah right before you bought it type of answer but was hoping he'd have some info being I'm a complete newb at this. He called his boat mechanic who he had work on some eletronics or something for him last year. He called me back and said it sounds like the Carburetor could be gummed up some. So now I'm trying to do some reseach, and I see many people using Seafoam and many people breaking down there carburetor with kits and cleaning them. The second option seems very daunting to me since I"m a total newb at this again. I thought I'd come on here post the problem and see what people have to say. BTW couldn't it also be a dirty fuel filter?????

Edit. I'm going to take her out again on Saturday morning. I just messed with the gas tanks and unscrewed the valve releas air hole or what ever it's called on the gas tank. I noticed a fairly loud his when I did so as well. I'm wondering if they weren't open enough now.

I think what you described as "the valve release air hole or what ever it's called on the gas tank" will take care of your problem. If that was closed, then your tank was causing a vacuum and won't let the fuel to the engine. Let us know if that doesn't work.

Yep that's what it is, My first boat had a plastic tank on it with a vent and it did the same thing, it get on plane then die. I looked at the tank and it was all crushed in. Opened the vent the whole way, ran like a champ after that.

Don't worry Simp, you'll learn. It takes one or two times out out on the water.

Yep that's what it is, My first boat had a plastic tank on it with a vent and it did the same thing, it get on plane then die. I looked at the tank and it was all crushed in. Opened the vent the whole way, ran like a champ after that.

Don't worry Simp, you'll learn. It takes one or two times out out on the water.

I hear ya Simplejoe that's why I'm not afraid to admit I'm a newb at this point. You should have seen my friend and me when we got our first 9.9 john boat and trying to trailer the first time ;D. Now were both pro's with it and can put it on a trailer in a hurricane . I'm going to run out to the lake in a hour or so to see what happens. I'll post my results.

If that does not fix the problem it is probably trash in the system. Start with the easy things first. clean fuel, clean tanks, fuel pump, install an inline fuel filter and change it out after you run the engine a time or two. No need to go into the carbs unless you have to. If it comes to the carbs, have it done professionally. you will have heck adjusting everything if it is as you say and you have no experience with engines.

Change the water pump impeller and thermostats soon if it has not been serviced in the last year or two.

good luck

I just got back from the launch ramp. I was about to put in and went to unscrew the gas valve on the gas tank. After doing that I went to priming the ball and I don't know if I didn't notice this yesterday or if it didn't happened but the ball wouldn't tighten up. There were a couple times it come close but it would just release the pressure. This happened on both gas tanks.

I just got back from the launch ramp. I was about to put in and went to unscrew the gas valve on the gas tank. After doing that I went to priming the ball and I don't know if I didn't notice this yesterday or if it didn't happened but the ball wouldn't tighten up. There were a couple times it come close but it would just release the pressure. This happened on both gas tanks.

Change them both. Should be a pretty cheap and easy fix.

Are you saying to replace the ball and hose plus the gas tanks or just both the gas tanks?

Simp, if they are old metal tanks I would strongly suggest that you replace them.  Metal tanks are notorious for rusting at the top of the tank where condensation takes place and then dropping the rust flakes into the fuel.

I would also recommend replacing the metal tank with a plastic tank. However if you decide to keep it check the intake tube inside the tank, and make sure it is still attached. I had one fall off before and my fuel bulb would not prime. Hope that helps.

Thanks for all the great suggestions guys. I plan on buying a 12 gal plastic tank instead of the two metal 6 gal tanks. I've never ran a motor around 60 HP and have no idea how much gas you can burn yet. One thing is for sure though I don't want to have to bother with switching the hose to another tank in the middle of a run. I figure I also new to buy a new bulb and line that will fit the new plastic tank as well right?? So if the problem was the bulb line this would solve the problem. Then if it doesn't I'll know to go down the line to the next thing. I'm looking forward to my pops getting back from his cruise Tuesday night. He used to work at a Marina and has worked on motors a fair amount if I remember correctly. So hopefully we can get this baby hammered out. I like to call this stuff "the new boat problems". I can remember when I my buddy got his boat and motor. He thought the prop looked dinged up so the first thing he did was buy a prop off ebay for it and put it right on. He never used the old prop either. So we went out and found the engine was spinning out at around 70% power. We went on with this problem for almost a entire summer. Then finally we put the old prop on and boom problem solved.  ;D

My first outboard was an 18hp Johnson. It hadn't been used for several years. It ran great for a few minutes and then would bog down and die. After a few minutes it would run fine... I replaced the filter, fuel pump diaphragm, and cleaned the carb; same thing. Finally someone suggested the bulb in the fuel hose. When I replaced the hose and bulb I cut open the bulb, and it was full of granulated rubber from sitting with gas in it. It ran great with a new hose assembly. If there is any doubt replace it. As has been suggested, replacing the metal tanks will save you grief. Good luck.

BTW everyone that's ever used a small boat much has forgotten to open the tank vent a time or two.

Also, sounds like it could be water. My 90 Johnson on my 95 F/S sucked water out of the tank. It did the same thing. If you dump most of the old gas off you can get a light in the tank and see the water in the fuel. It will look like a large bubble sitting on the bottom of the tank, as fuel and water dont mix. Dump all the old gas, change the plugs, Fresh gas in the tank. After that, try starting it a few times, (believe me it'll take a few times) You'll need a good battery but it'll start finally and run like hell for a few. You can also spray some carb cleaner in the intakes while you try to start it, that'll help. :-/

Simp One suggestion, if your getting a new tank buy the biggest one you can fit. I don't know if you take long runs or not but if you do that 12 gallons with a 60 won't do a all day run. I run the rivers here alot and some days I burn threw almost 20 gallons in a day with my old 110 and I don't even want to talk about the 200, it loves gas. ;D

Like K_Mac said it might be just your primer ball filled with junk. It's a cheap repair most Wally worlds carry what you need to get the job done.

Thanks again for the suggestion Simplejoe. My daily fishing I probably won't be making long runs but I do have tourney's at KY Lake and we have our trip to Pickwick. So I'd like to be able to buy a gas tank that will fit my needs the best I can. Does anybody know a place online that sells plastic gas tanks bigger then 12 gal though? I'll have to have measurements for the gas tank before I buy and I'll also have to measure my space to see if they fit.

Overton's has them... They may be a little pricey though.

http://search.overtons.com/?Ns=p_image_sort|1||p_purchased|1&Ne=1000&N=2199&cname=Fuel-Systems

On my last project, I changed out the metal one for this one. 

http://www.discountmarinesupplies.com/product.cgi?group=71408&product=82215

A word of advice, buy the mercury o.e.m. bulb and hose set, they are a lot better quality than the atwood one's at "chinamart" I speak from experience! > junebugman

A word of advice, buy the mercury o.e.m. bulb and hose set, they are a lot better quality than the atwood one's at "chinamart" I speak from experience! > junebugman

X2

A word of advice, buy the mercury o.e.m. bulb and hose set, they are a lot better quality than the atwood one's at "chinamart" I speak from experience! > junebugman

X2

X3, that's the best advice you have received on this thread. The aftermarket products tend to seperate internally and dump small pieces into the fuel system. they don't like the new fuels that are out there now. Been more than a few motors ruined due to these aftermarket parts.

Jack