Last rites for Mariner 2 HP 2 stroke?

eddystone

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This weekend it refused to start after working OK last weekend and pours fuel from behind the control panel. (BTW it's not easy to row against the ebb tide on the Itchen where it bends round entrance to Shamrock Quay!) However, miraculously when I put it in a drum of water onshore it runs sort of OK after rechecking in the handbook for correct procedure for starting a flooded engine, contradicting my theories about the jet being blocked. However, it then stopped outputting any cooling water. cleared it out with a pin, tried to remove plastic housing over water outlet but screw corroded on. Then had a go at removing leg to access impeller. screws come out but leg totally corroded on. Someone suggested immersing in boiling water to dissolve the corrosion? I think maybe this engine is nearing the end?
 
Certainly the corrosion of components together and subsequent damage when separating plus screws corroded in will spell the end of the engine. On the other hand if it had been stripped often and refitted with grease and corrosion stopper guk then it could go for ever. good luck olewill
 
This weekend it refused to start after working OK last weekend and pours fuel from behind the control panel. (BTW it's not easy to row against the ebb tide on the Itchen where it bends round entrance to Shamrock Quay!) However, miraculously when I put it in a drum of water onshore it runs sort of OK after rechecking in the handbook for correct procedure for starting a flooded engine, contradicting my theories about the jet being blocked. However, it then stopped outputting any cooling water. cleared it out with a pin, tried to remove plastic housing over water outlet but screw corroded on. Then had a go at removing leg to access impeller. screws come out but leg totally corroded on. Someone suggested immersing in boiling water to dissolve the corrosion? I think maybe this engine is nearing the end?

Take it to a marine outboard engineer for their view.

Mine was the same, quite expensive, but lovely since. Mine had issues with corrosion - had not been serviced in a while, and flooding - needle/jet replaced.

Lighter/smaller than modern ones, so you might regret losing it.
 
I had the same cooling issue and subsequent problems last week. Mine is in the corner of the garage and even my foulest glares fail to shame it into working.

Am now looking for an air cooled outboard. Any suggestions anyone?
 
It will almost certainly be the float valve in the carb sticking. Either remove, clean and refit; buy a new float valve; hit with small metal item (honest, it's worked for me!). Occasionally a foul glare will get it started but only when you have decided enoughs enough and rowed most of the way. (And probably knocked it about enough for the valve to un-stick).

My Yamaha version of the same sometimes shows no water out of the tell tale - I decided 2 years ago to ignore it and run it into the ground- it shows no signs of giving out so I reckon it's only the tell tale that's blocked.

You can pick these engines up for less than a £100... Is it worth dismantling?


NB - hoping to get an air cooled Honda 4 stroke sometime soon
 
Take it to a marine outboard engineer for their view.

Mine was the same, quite expensive, but lovely since. Mine had issues with corrosion - had not been serviced in a while, and flooding - needle/jet replaced.

Lighter/smaller than modern ones, so you might regret losing it.

+1

Hard to replace a last generation two-stroke outboard. So maybe worth some investment in refurbishment.

I adore my 25 horsepower two-stroke Mariner, which has been utterly bulletproof for years, requiring almost no maintenance even (plugs and gear leg oil change every two years). Looks scruffy, and the steering gear regularly rusts solid, but always runs, weighs significantly less than the new four-stroke stuff, torquey, strong, etc.
 
Take it to a marine outboard engineer for their view.

Mine was the same, quite expensive, but lovely since. Mine had issues with corrosion - had not been serviced in a while, and flooding - needle/jet replaced.

Lighter/smaller than modern ones, so you might regret losing it.
i
Well it was a marine engineer who told me the leg was corroded on and he wouldn't risk trying to bash it off. I don't think mine had an anode fitted for years so the legs is quite badly corroded and the wing nut to adjust the angle is completely seized; in fact everything below the head that should undo doesn't. While appreciating the 2 stroke virtues of light weight and easy handling, the lack of neutral is a bit of a b****r. Thinking of s/h Suzuki 2.5 which is only 3 kg heavier; also seen a slightly larger 3.3 mariner 2 stroke which does have gears and weighs same as Suzuki. Then maybe try to get the mariner working when time permits.
Only air-cooled engine I know is Honda 2.3hp; I had one once - very irritating noise and seems to be troublesome if not used for a long time - has the distinction of getting me my only negative feedback on ebay for that reason.
 
My Yamaha version of the same sometimes shows no water out of the tell tale - I decided 2 years ago to ignore it and run it into the ground- it shows no signs of giving out so I reckon it's only the tell tale that's blocked.

You can pick these engines up for less than a £100... Is it worth dismantling?

You will be amazed at the price these engines fetch in good running order. A dealer near the Hamble sold a 1981 Yamaha version last month for close to £400 !!
 
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