Question for Rusty ETC need feedback please...

[KJ]

Hey all, I purchased a saltwater center console with a 97 merc mariner 225 and I have the following dilema. The guys on the Merc boards won't respond so, from the great advice I received in this forum I was wondering if any of you could help me out.
I recently purchased a saltwater center console with a 97 Mariner 225 offshore motor that has had a new power head put on and only has about 6 hours on it. We were coming out of the harbor at headway speed, all is good, after about 5 minutes at headway speed I opened her up to plane off. We got out on plane very fast and then the engine stopped like someone disconnected the fuel line. I tried to start it and would turn over fine but it was like it was starving for fuel. I tried choking it and the ball was firm. As time passed it would fire up for a brief second and quit. It seemed the longer I waited the longer it would run. About an hour after I got home I hooked the hose up to it and it started and ran perfectly for about 3 minutes then I turned it off. I am baffled. Could it be over heating? Fuel problem? I did not hear any warning beeps as well. I thank you in advance! Please help

[RUSTY63]

When it dies, check the ignition to see if the motor has lost spark, you may have a bad stator.

[KJ]

Thanks Rusty!
Question... would I check it with a test light or could you spare some time to explain how to test it? Besides the starter would there be any other problems you might think it is? Also I was told not to go over 5000 rpms during the break in time. Would a bad starter get better as it cools down? Boy do I wish I had my Johnson on the back of this...
I really really appreciate your help. My maiden voyage ended up being towed back to the dock.

[RUSTY63]

The starter would not cause the motor to die.

When the motor has the problem pull the spark plugs out and slip them back into the wires, lay them against the head and have someone crank the motor (Do Not Touch the plugs) if you see a nice blue spark in the gap of the plugs you do not have a ignition problem.

[KJ]

Rusty,
Just for sh*ts and giggles, if it was not the stator, what would you think the problem could be?
Again, I really appeciate your help!

[RUSTY63]

Im guessing here because I dont work on merc's, switch box maybe?

I dont know what system is on that motor.

[ChampioNman]

Stator, Trigger, Switch box? Der Flunkenbalben under the scramosis circut? Like Rusty says this is the BOMB boards , Sorry Kurt couldn't resist just kidding. I don't have a clue either. I have a 135 Merc laying on the floor of the shop that a customer wants me to look at for him, welp I've been looking at it for a month and its still there ! CM

[ProcraftMike]

I would also check for fuel restrictions, such as a kinked line or a restriction at the filter. From what you have posted, it sounds like it is dying when you are requiring more fuel, which is a classic fuel filter restriction problem.

But, what do I know, I own a Johnson .