Mercury 2.5 PBO 421 p54

[Trevor_swfyc]

GOING WITH THE FLOW

I had problems with the water cooling flow with this engine even though I always run the engine in a large plastic dustbin after use. I overcame the problem in the end by drilling out the outlet and fitting a larger dia plastic pipe.
The article referred to the option of buying a flushing kit and flushing from a hose connected to a tap, so that the engine can be run in situ. As the engine does not have a gear box the prop runs when the engine starts. So my genuine concern would be that the exposed prop could cause injury during flushing any comments?

I prefer to use the dustbin as the water cleans the bin and the water can be used afterwards to water the lawn.

Keep Safe!
Trevor

 

[graham]

If you clamp the motor securely to a workbench or similar or cut the top off a 44 gallon drum and run the motor in it the prop wont be a problem.
If worried why not remove the prop first?

On most small engines you pull out a stainless split pin undo the nut (usually hand tight) and pull off the prop making sure you dont loose the shear pin which sits in a hole through the driveshaft behind the propellor.

 

[longjohnsilver]

I agree with graham. Had the same engine a few years back, always had problems with the water tell tale. Also vibrated more than other small outboards, glad to get rid of it, although it never actually went wrong.

 

[bryantee]

agree ,take the prop off and hold a bucket up over the drive head ,tie said bucket to the pulpit rail and start engine. no need to take engine off the rail clamp keep topping up the water or redirect out flow back to bucket with flexible pipe.Have same mercury and have to clean out the water pipe regularily.

 

[vyv_cox]

Mercury 2.5 - worst boating buy

I've posted on this engine several times over the years, mine is an absolute disaster. I bought it in a hurry, when my previous one was stolen a week before a summer cruise. Within a few weeks the coating system began to fail, the stickers began to lift off the tank cover and the starting was erratic. Since then the threads on the fuel tank have failed and a lot more paint came off. It takes dozens of pulls to start it. The coolant water tell-tale frequently stops altogether. This engine has had very little use, sits on the pushpit for half the year and in the garage for the rest, but looks and sounds as if it has had a long life of abuse. I nominate it as my worst boating buy.

 

[Trevor_swfyc]

Re: Mercury 2.5 - worst boating buy

Mine is the same, threads soon went on the petrol tank plastic-plastic requires thicker and chunkier thread. I can understand tortoise and hare for speed but the choke markings ? replaced mine with on and off as part of the starting problems were trying to start with the choke off. Cannot say if this is the worsed buy but I think if I had spent more I would have got a better engine. I like the look of the Yamaha "Malta" more features like starting out of gear + + +.
Easy in hind sight Ho Hum.

Many Thanks.
Trevor