1997 175 Merc Offshore question

[Ben Heiser]

All:
New to boat ownership...had a great Saturday outing trolling for Striper off of Chesapeake Beach with my 208 and some buddies with a bit more experience.

After I got home, was finished flushing the saltwater out of the motor I noticed when trimmed up it had a bit of movement relative to its mount. After reviewing, it just seemed like spline wear on the bottom mount at the bottom of the splined steering shaft.

It is the original motor for the 1997 208, it’s got some wear but great compression. In looking at the parts book and how the shaft is mounted on the top of the tube I think it’s not a big deal. Maybe change mount during the water pump change end of season?

btw: carbed Mercs are cold blooded...but ran 8 hours straight after.
Thanks

Ben

 

[Joez]

I have run a slightly older 175, and a little bit of movement there seems a bit normal. Unless it's excessive, of course. Mine has had the same little bit of movement for the last 9 years I have owned it.

And yes, the carbed merc can be cold blooded. How long are you pushing the key in before starting it, and are you leaving it pushed in while cranking? I put mine in yesterday in 50 degree weather. At that point I hold the key in for 20ish seconds before cranking, and keep it pushed until it fires up. Usually only cranks for a few seconds before firing off.

 

[Ben Heiser]

I hold for about 8 seconds and use 1/2 throttle to start. I just didn’t have enough throttle...

it’s not a lot. The splines are still engaged but you can tell it’s a 23 year old outboard. I think I’ll just keep an eye on it. Always good to hear someone else notices it as well.

 

[Joez]

I'd try holding it down a little longer. I used to do the same, 5-10 seconds and quite a bit of throttle. Holding it in 20+, and keeping it engaged while cranking I don't even touch the throttle until it starts to fire, then just bump the idle to about 1000rpms. As it warms up it will climb to 1200, and is good to go. It's the Luke warm restarts that still get me sometimes.

And congrats on the new to you Grady. I grew up fishing out of a 205 Gulfstream, and bought my Seafarer 9 years ago. Starting the carbed Merc was a learning curve after so many years of starting an I/O, and Evinrude V4's before that. More time with that key pushed in was the trick.

 

[SmokyMtnGrady]

I am curious. Did Grady offer this boat or any other in this era with different motor options? I had a 98 192 with a Johnson Ocean Pro motor. My brother had an 88 190 with a factory rigged Evinrude.

I don't miss owning a carbed two stoke outboard at all. Starting that Johnson after she warmed up was a pain. Cold start and it would fire right up. Run that motor for 15-20 minutes or longer and shut it down then try to start it, forget it. Lol.

 

[Joez]

Yes, you could have them factory rigged with just about whatever flavor you wanted into the late 90's. OMC, Mercury or Yamaha I believe, I not sure about Suzuki.

 

[Ben Heiser]

Looks like my movement is just the splines in the lower yoke. All bushings are tight and the only movement is relative to yoke and shaft. Looks like a huge job to replace...and movement is minimal and maybe I am anal

May plan: keep and eye on it and lube it and see how it does. Sounds like Joez yours has been the same for awhile. Mine lives on a trailer so can keep clean and greased.