1988 200 hp Mercury Outboard, s/n OB 332898. We had an oil line we had to replace a few years ago and when putting the bolt/fitting in that the oil runs thru, I stripped the threads on the oil pump. I used JB weld on it and it has held up for however many years it has been, thank God above. Yesterday, when messing with the motor trying to get it start (and I did not succeed in that), I noticed the bolt/fitting/line turning when the choke was hitting it.
I looked online just to get an idea and saw an oil pump for $277 new. That's alot of money for a boat that gets used 5-6 times a year (although I would like to go a little more this year). So, should I try the JB weld again, which seems somewhat risky, replace the pump, or just do away with the oil injection like I have read a few times and just mix the oil in the gas like we used to do when we had portable tanks in our previous boats? If switch to mixing, does anyone know approximate cost on the kit to terminate the oil injection system, and is difficult to install?
Also, think I am going to try to replace the fuel filter to see if I can get this thing started, the one on there looks like a canister instead of the kind you would see on a riding lawn mower. Is it safe to just use an in-line filter from an auto parts or lawn and garden store, or should I search out the identical Mercury part? I was hoping my dad, son and I could go fishing Friday, but right now it is not looking good, unless we just use the trolling motor.
Thanks