Help - question Mercury 40hp Motor

Last night we were crusing along wide open on Lake Winnebago and all of a sudden the motor just completely lost power and quit running. It's a 1992 Mec 40hp which I could get restarted, but it would not stay running and sounded funny. Lucky we were not real far from the landing, so we had to limp back to the landing with the trolling motor. I am baffeled, what would cause the motor to just lose power??? Is the motor shot???

Thanks for any help or suggestions on what to do.

Well, the split oil line was the problem. After the fix, my 40 runs like a champ!

Well, the split oil line was the problem. After the fix, my 40 runs like a champ!

If you guys are having Mercury or Mariner problems get in touch with The Boat Doc in Lomira. Great guy - took care of my 92 Mariner this spring.

I have a 1992 Mercury 40 hp Classic 4-cyl. I had the same thing happen to me on the Illinois River. I had noticed 2 cycle oil leaking out from the cowl and thought to myself I should find the source of the leak. I found the leak alright... the hose from the oil pump to the fuel line split open on me. I didn't know what was wrong at the time but I couldn't run past 1/2 throttle without the motor cutting out. I got back to the launch with my trolling motor. Later that day I found the leak/split hose. I replaced the hose with Goodyear fuel line and it runs much better. The motor sounded like it dropped one or two cylinders and on the flush ears at home idled very rough. After the hose fix it idles much better. Haven't had a chance to get it out and test it for sure yet. Let us know what you find out!

Found out that Ethanol destroyed the seals, motors pretty much toast. They said Mercury does not make the old type seals anymore. Lbc, did the same thing happen to you? We either have to buy a new boat/motor or just a new motor - YIKES they aren't cheap!

dont run premium in your motor... we were told by the so called mercury expert not too run anything but regular gas in your outboard motors... he said premium gas supposidly will collect more water in your gas....

It is most likely a fuel problem (bulb, filter, carb). Unclesmallie is correct. Ethanol slowly dissolves the plastic components in your motor (carb). That is what happened to my Yamaha.

Thanks everyone, and feel free to give me some more thoughts and opinions on what went wrong. Took it to Mr. Outboard yesterday and they are going to check it over on Monday. Hope it's not something serious that's going to cost me an arm and a leg.

I don't think the motor overheated, because we left the lauch just 5 minutes before it happened.

Will report back, Jigee

You may have overheated the motor. Run a compression check and a diagnostics.