Need some input

[21xdc95bullet]

Friend of mine has a 209 with a 225 mercury racing engine (2002) model. He’s running a 25 trophy and is only getting 4800 rpms... says he has to raise the plate all the way up to take off and lower all the way down to drive down the lake? He said he also has 200 pound of weight in the front because the boat won’t break over coming out of the hole. Thoughts?

[21xdc95bullet]

Tonight his top speed was 48 and that was solo

[low slung cruiser]

His motor is sick / broke

[yupitsme]

If it don't have a window in the side of the block - I'd start with fuel related issues: ethanol damage fuel lines/plugged filter.... Bad pulse pump... or a coil or two.

[nsteiden86]

I wouldnt run that motor again until you go through it thoroughly. I ran a 1999 225 EFI with a 25 fury and was in the hard limiter at 78mph gps

[lakeforkfisherman]

Yep. Unless he’s a mechanic, start with the cheap and obvious culprit- fuel delivery. Lines, bulb, filters. Check plugs.

[GamblerSam]

If he’s lucky......fuel system or fouled plugs. After checking all that and no joy, I would check the compression. Otherwise I agree with Low Slung Cruiser. I fear a tired Mercury Pro Max. Good news is he can take to JSRE and for a few paychecks have a “beaut”!

[21xdc95bullet]

Plugs, bulb and filters are new

[Gamblerman65]

Has it ran like that since he bought it or did it just start? Inner hull full of water?

[21xdc95bullet]

Since he bought it. He said it ran good twice in the year he’s owned it

[rclark1]

Fuel pump diaphragm

[Merc Doc]

I honestly think he has lost spark on i or 2 cylinders. That is a cdm ignition and they are known from that vintage for problems. Check spark

[maxx power]

Put it on a scale. 50 bucks says there's water logged foam, along with possible spark issues. How low is it sitting in the water?