1997 Sugar Sand Mirage - Mercury 120xr Sport Jet - NOT STAYING RUNNING

[pierce701]

So I recently purchased a 1997 sugar sand with the mercury 120xr Sport Jet motor in it and it will not stay running.

I have replaced the spark plugs and starter motor. The fly wheel turns freely when plugs are out (was an issue before I read somewhere to do that). Now it starts for only just a second (usually only on a little bit of starter fluid) and will not stay running. I feel like it is a fuel issue possibly. I'm not sure where the fuel pump is (if it has one) or the fuel filter (if it has one). I have read that maybe installing a primer bulb may help.

if someone could give me any advice on how to get it to stay running that would be great, thank you! (I have attached photos of the motor).

 

[tdonoughue]

Warning: What I know about a Sugar Sands OR a 120xr one could fit in a thimble...

You bought it recently. Has it ever run? Did you do a sea trial of it and it ran, or has it never properly run?

If that tank in the photo and the interwebs are correct, this is a 2-stroke engine. One thing I have heard about 2-strokes is that they can get to this point, then you clean the carb and they are good to go for another 4-5 years. Not even sure if you can see the crud that accumulates from the outside... But perhaps someone with a 2-stroke can weigh in and confirm/refute.

 

[zipper]

Nice clean motor. How old is the gasoline? As asked above, have you seen it run before? Have you tried adding Seafoam and new gas? Can you get to the carburetors and drain the bowl? Sounds like plugged jets or a stuck needle valve. A squeeze bulb will help reprime after cleaning. Is there a water separator ? I run non ethanol gas in my 1985 2-stroke 115 Yamaha and had a water issue last Summer. Draind the carbs, de-watered the inboard fuel tank, had 2 quarts of water in it, changed the water separator canister, added new fuel with Seafoam and it runs great now after a failure to launch at the ramp.