| Weak tell‑tale or overheat alarm |
Inspect intake screens, tell‑tale hose for blockage, thermostat operation, and impeller condition. |
Water pump kit, thermostat, intake screen, gaskets |
| Poor acceleration or power loss |
Check prop damage or mismatch, fuel quality, fuel filter restriction, spark plug condition, throttle linkage. |
Propeller, fuel filter, spark plugs, fuel pump, air intake components |
| Hard starting / rough idle |
Prime bulb firmness, choke/EFI enrichment function, vacuum leaks, plug gap/condition, stale fuel. |
Spark plugs, fuel filter, injector service/cleaner (EFI), carb kit (carb models) |
| Gearcase noise or metal in gear oil |
Verify gear oil level/condition, drain plug seals, prop‑shaft fishing line, shift cable adjustment. |
Lower unit seal kit, bearings, gear lube, drain plug seals |
| Battery not charging (electric‑start models) |
Test battery state, inspect rectifier/regulator connections and grounds, measure charging voltage at idle and fast idle. |
Rectifier/regulator, wiring/terminals, battery |