1988 Doral Bowrider 3.0L

Colinb93rs

Cadet
Joined
May 27, 2019
Messages
9
Hey all

New (to me) boat owner and just getting used to using a boat again.

First inboard I have owned and I have been having a bit of trouble with the engine.

So it starts and seems to run fine, however the 3 times we have been out, after about 30 mins or so it quits and is very hard to start. With full choke it will fire up but might stall if I bring it to an idle, but will if I put it in gear.

I have cleaned the intake of all the carbon. Replaced the paper fuel filter, cleaned the filter on the side of the carb. Replaced the wires and plugs. Also replaced the coil as it was causing issues before. Put new gas in and when I fired it up with the muffs on last night it fired up kinda rough but smoothed out. And seemed to idle ok (750), put it in gear and seemed to run ok.

So any idea what would cause it to quit after 30 or so, I don't want to speculate on anything at this point as its mostly new to me. I think I have covered the basics so any advice at all is appreciated!

Also I bought the Haynes repair manual for this boat however I have been waiting over a month and wondering if their going to be able to stock it at all. So if you know where I can get a either a repair manual for the boat or engine, that would be awesome!

Thanks again
 

harringtondav

Commander
Joined
May 26, 2018
Messages
2,473
Boatinfo.com has your OEM Merc manual for viewing. My first guess is a carb kit and cleaning would help. Thinking your mixture is a bit rich due to incorrect float height or a dirty air bleed. Engines like a rich mixture when cold, not so much when warmed up. If you have gasoline in the clear tube between the fuel pump and carb, the pump diaphragm is bad, and likely flooding the engine.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
Staff member
Joined
Jul 23, 2011
Messages
50,753
welcome aboard

look at the factory manual.

the haynes manual will have mis-information in it. they make good knee pads or toilet paper, however are horrible manuals.

you need your carb rebuilt.

also with your 32 year old boat, you need to do some maintenance as most likely the Prior Owner did nothing.

pull the drive, inspect the gimbal bearing, check the alignment, check the u-joints, replace the bellows. replace the raw water pump and change the gear lube

inspect the inside of the tank for crud

service the ignition, change the engine oil and filter.

and inspect the boat for damage/rot.
 

Colinb93rs

Cadet
Joined
May 27, 2019
Messages
9
thanks scott, so the previous owner did take it in to the local marina and did have it "serviced". I do think it is the carb as well but as I have no experience then it will probably be a service shop job. However just to eliminate, I am going to drain the tank as well as there is still some old fuel, and when I cleaned the screen attached to the carb it was full of crud but again its a 30 year old boat.So try those things before I pull the outdrive off....as its going to be at least a couple weeks before it gets into the shop as they are stupid busy right now!
 

ryds-steve

Cadet
Joined
Jan 16, 2010
Messages
17
Hi, check your fuel tank breather is not blocked, if air cannot enter as fuel is used then it will eventually pull a vacuum and cut off the fuel supply to the engine,
Steve.
 
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