1988 3.0 Mercruiser Will Not Start

[jr1017]

Hello, 1988 Glastron 3.0L 130 HP. It will not start. I tried starter fluid and pouring some gas down into the carb, it will start up until the fuel has burned off and then stall. Gas is old, but has a can of sea foam in it. Both fuel filters are out right now, put fuel filter cup back in empty and took it off to see if fuel is getting there. The cup was about 1/2 full. Topped off the cup as best I could and put it back on. No difference. Took the fuel line off that runs into the carb from the fuel pump and cranked over engine. Even put some fuel down the carb so the engine would run for a bit. Shouldn't there be fuel coming out of the line when attempting to start? Does this mean I have a bad fuel pump. Doesn't look to me like it is electrical, but a manual fuel pump. Why else would fuel not be getting to the carb?

 

[Anchor Management 1]

Re: 1988 3.0 Mercruiser Will Not Start

Check ball stuck,or fuel pump.

 

[cooter2506]

Re: 1988 3.0 Mercruiser Will Not Start

Run it off an auxillary tank. if it runs then it is fuel tank problem. blocked pick up filter or line, Bad antisiphon valve, or a clogged fuel vent. If it doesnt run then probably a bad fuel pump.

 

[jr1017]

Re: 1988 3.0 Mercruiser Will Not Start

Thanks for the input. I don't know what "check ball stuck" means. I don't think it's the pick up filter or line because the fuel filter cup was put back in empty and it was at least 1/2 full when I took it back off. I guess it could be partially blocked or plugged and restricting. Clogged fuel vent should not be an issue as the boat sat in the sun today in driveway and there was alot of fuel all over the back of the boat coming out the fuel vent. I have never seen it like that when I got home. I had to open the fuel tank cap about 3 times today and it was quite a lot of air that would come out. I don't have another fuel tank I could try running it off of. Who knows, this might be one to take to the mechanic on but for now will sleep on it and see where I go tomorrow on it.

 

[jr1017]

Re: 1988 3.0 Mercruiser Will Not Start

Hey all, just a quickie update for anyone that cares...I decided that the fuel system is just something that I didn't want to mess with, so I took it to my mechanic (whom I have always just used in the past for some "free" advice). He said just what you guys had been saying, the fuel pump was bad. He replaced and could get it running but he had to keep it running at a very high idle. Next he checked the carb, pretty gummed up, so he took it off and cleaned it. He said everything had to be replaced except a needle and valve? Maybe it was a point. New gaskets, accel pump, etc. I must say, the wife did a flip over the $507 bill, but she runs like a dream. Guess now I've paid the mechanic back for all that "free" advice now. Like everyone says, you have to pay to play, someday I'll learn how to do all that stuff on my own. As for my first time out on the water this past weekend....PRICELESS!!!

Thanks for all your help guys, past and present posts

I'm sure I'll be back for more advice as sure as I am that my cheese comes from happy cows...