15 HP 1999 Merc

[Kingfisher]

We recently bought a 1999 15 HP 2 cycle, long shaft Merc outboard tiller from an estate. The people said it had been run only 10 hours, and from its appearance it looks like new. I notice while trolling the water discharges a nice even flow, however when I speed up in reverse the water flow cuts down to less then half. There is not a nice even flow going forward either but not down as much as reverse. Does anyone know if this is a problem, and what it may be. Thanks

[Surface Tension]

I don't see it as a problem now but it could become a huge one shortly.
Send the 15 bucks for a new impeller and another 25 for a manual. Then hit the lake without any worries.

[Kingfisher]

Just got the outboard back from the Merc dealer. The problem was some "pliers" mechanic had been working on it and had installed the wrong lower gasket, so with the increased pressure from revving the engine it would not allow the water to circulate. When you buy used you never know what to expect. We came out OK as we bought it right.