Starting a boat after two years of storage

[judson79]

Hey guys, I?ve have inherited a 1993 Bayliner Capri with a Mercruiser 4.3Liter Alpha One engine. This boat sat in storage and has not be cranked in about two years

I put a new battery on it and the engine did try to turn over. If I held the key in the crank position, it did turn over once, the batter also started to smoke.

Any suggestions on where to start? Thanks.

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Starting a boat after two years of storage

Things I would do BEFORE turning the key:

Take out old battery

Disconnect and clean all starter wires to insure good connectivity

Pull the carb and drain OLD gas

Change fuel filter AND water separator if it has one

Change the oil and oil filter

Pull the spark plugs and make sure they are clean ,in good shape and properly gapped, spray some light oil in each cylinder and re-install

Pull the distributor cap and make sure the rotor button and contacts are clean and in good condition

Check points for cleanliness and good condition

Connect to portable gas tank with FRESH gas and seafoam additive

Install NEW battery with clean,tight connections

Hook up the muffs and turn on the faucet

Turn the key

This is just MY opinion of the things that should be addressed on a motor that has been sitting for so long.

 

[Dshow]

Re: Starting a boat after two years of storage

If performing the above procedure, with the plugs out and after spraying oil in each cylinder, you might want to crank it a few times to prime the oil pump and lube the bearings.

Now, I would start with checking all the electrical connections and making sure you had good fuel/carb clean.

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Starting a boat after two years of storage

Also add these:
Check drive oil level
Replace impeller(water pump kit)
grease all fittings

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Starting a boat after two years of storage

And tighten the wing nuts with pliers. Hand tightened batt connections are NEVER acceptable! 'nutcase

 

[Bart Sr.]

Re: Starting a boat after two years of storage

Also add these:
Check drive oil level
Replace impeller(water pump kit)
grease all fittings

Yes add those.

I don't usually respond to these type of questions but this season there have been so many posts about starting units that have been sitting for years.They are having problems because these things need to be done to greatly increase the chances that you will not be stranded because "it ran in the driveway".

Just thinking out loud.

 

[joncrisler]

Re: Starting a boat after two years of storage

To the above I would do the following-
1- spray some fogging oil in the cylinders, it will help lube the rings.
2- once you get it running, watch very carefully for overheating- most likely the rubber raw water impeller will need to be replaced as it takes a set, and may break off some vanes.
3- for running in the driveway, I might consider using 5w-30 motoroil just to get it running. Once its ready for the water I would go with a heavier oil. The lighter oil will let it crank a bit easier and flow faster to the more remote areas.

 

[crazy charlie]

Re: Starting a boat after two years of storage

Fogging oil in the carb,A little fresh oil in the valve cover fill,pull plugs and spray fogging oil in the cylinders.With plugs out,hand crank the motor many times and refog the same places before putting plugs back in and cranking with battery.Charlie

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Starting a boat after two years of storage

And, before trying to crank it with power, use a wrench on the crank bolt with the spark plugs out. It should turn easily enough, with no "hard spots"