2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

[farmerbeck]

Hello

When I take my boat out, I have problems for the first 5 min or so with the acceleration, I can't get it up past 1/2 throttle without it stalling out, the engine dosn't die, but it loses all power, but after it has warmed up (about 5 min) it seems to run fine. Is that normal? Also, if I have been pulling a skier or run it full throttle for a while, if I don't let it run at a low speed for 3 or 4 min, the engine sputters and backfires for several seconds before it shuts off? Any ideas?

 

[Fishermark]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

Hello

When I take my boat out, I have problems for the first 5 min or so with the acceleration, I can't get it up past 1/2 throttle without it stalling out, the engine dosn't die, but it loses all power, but after it has warmed up (about 5 min) it seems to run fine. Is that normal?

First - welcome aboard!

It sounds like the choke may be sticking or need some adjustment.

Also, if I have been pulling a skier or run it full throttle for a while, if I don't let it run at a low speed for 3 or 4 min, the engine sputters and backfires for several seconds before it shuts off? Any ideas?

That's exactly what Mercrusier recommends doing before shutting down. Let it idle awhile and cool down before shutting off, or it will diesel. That you definitely want to avoid as it can suck water back into the engine.

 

[Don S]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

The dieseling is probably due to either to high an idle speed, or lean fuel mixture. The engine shouldn't idle more than 750 in neutral, or it will diesel.
The newer engines are adjusted lean for EPA reasons.and it causes problems when too lean.
Does your engine have a choke, or do you have the TKS system?

 

[farmerbeck]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

That's what I figured, my first boat and I didn't get a manual with it...I talked to a dealership mechanic about the acceleration issue, and he said something about a timing cable is probably stretched...any idea what that means?

 

[Don S]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

he said something about a timing cable is probably stretched...any idea what that means?

It means you need to find a different mechanic.

 

[farmerbeck]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

how much does a complete tune up usually cost? if I am selling the boat should I get the tune up first, or tell the seller the problem and sell as is? What does rebuilding the carb cost?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

if I am selling the boat should I get the tune up first, or tell the seller the problem and sell as is?

Ayuh,...

Would You pay Top Dollar for a car that runs like $h!t,..??
I wouldn't,....

Having work done on your boat depends on your local markets,...
Just don't go back to the guy that said your cable is out of adjustment...

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

This is how to run a carbed motor. That is stone cold.

First Put it in neutral and advance the throttle by pumping it 3 times. And leave it 1/3 the way down in neutral.

Start motor, if it doesn't start after 10 seconds, repeat step 1, wait a minute before you try cranking it again, do this 3 times and stop, if it doesn't start something else is wrong.

When it does start let it warm up 5 minutes, then you will hear it run better.

Choke should be off, take off slow and then when you get to where you want to go throttle back easy let it run for 4 minutes in neutral.

Then shut off the motor.

If it starts to diesel quick turn the key back to run do not engage the starter.

Let it run some more in nuetral if the motor keeps dieseling then you have a problem.

Try the above and let us know how it works out.

 

[Don S]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

He doesn't have problems starting it chief, and he already knows he has a problem with it shutting off. He want's to know WHAT is wrong and how to fix it.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

Read the original post again. He's taking off without letting it warm up stopping on a dime and shutting it right off.

 

[farmerbeck]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

I have never heard this term dieseling before. Let me get a little more detailed. When I take my boat to the lake, I run the blower for 4 or 5 min, I pump the throttle 3 times, and it usually starts right up....then before I let anyone in the boat, I will trive out past the no wake zone, and start to open her up (slowly). Usually I have no problems, but everyonce in a while I would notice that as I was accelerating, the boat would lose power and I would pull the throttle back quickly, then ride around slowly for a few min and try again and the boat would run fine the rest of the day, as far as acceleration goes. Then I started to notice that after running it "hard" or pullin a skier for a while, if I don't drive around for several min (5 or 6 probably) at a slow speed, the engine will start to "diesel" when I kill the motor...I never turn it off on a dime, but could my problem be that I just need to "cool" the motor off longer? If I drive around slowly it always shuts off fine. Is my problem just that I am not warming the engine up long enough for the first problem, and not cooling it off long enough for the second problem? Thank you so much for your help! I have the boat on Craigslist for sale and I just want to make sure I let the person who buys it know if there is a problem or not.

 

[Don S]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

dieseling aka, run-on is when you shut the engine off and it pops and sputters and sometimes kicks over backwards. Which is exactly what you described was happening.
I previously ask if you had a choke or the TKS system which is a bit different. But, need to know what you have to help you troubleshoot the problem. You also haven't mentioned what your idle rpms are. That is one of the biggest problem with the 3.0L engines, espcially the newer models.

 

[farmerbeck]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

Unless it would not be a noticable change, I am pretty sure that the previous owner did not install a tks system, I use the choke to start it up. But like I said, I'm new to boats so i could be doing something wrong. As far as the idle rpm is concerned, I don't know exactly what it runs at, I havent had it out in almost 6 months, but it dosn't sound like it is ideling at a fast rpm. I am going to try and take it out this week, what should it be running at? I will test it out, and post for you. Any hints as far as some sort of diagnostic I can do when I take it out?

 

[Don S]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

Unless it would not be a noticable change, I am pretty sure that the previous owner did not install a tks system, I use the choke to start it up.

The TKS system is something that would have come on the engine OEM. Not some aftermarket add on.
Pull the flame arrestor off and see if you have a choke plate on the carb or not. You could use the 3 pumps and away we go, with a TKS system and not know the difference. The TKS system has sensors, wiring, and electronics that could cause your problem.

 

[lkempf]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

Try running a higher octane gas.

 

[beck4288]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

Hey guys, took boat in and they adjusted the idle runs good now. They did say that the core plugs have a small leak, or atleast it looked like they did. Water wasnt dripping out of them when they ran it, but there were some water spots....any idea how much it cost to get this fixed. they told me some people call these greese plugs instead of core plugs. They also told me that it depends on if they have to take the motor out to fix them or not for how much it cost. Wanted to know if you had any ideas. Thanks

 

[180shabah]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

As pointed out on your other thread - you need a new mechanic. You may or may not have a leak that may or may not require engine r/r, your timing cable (no such thing) is stretched and your fluffer-nutter went flat. It all adds up to find a new mechanic or learn to do the work yourself before you spends thousands fixing things that ain't broke.

If you choose the latter, go to the top of this forum and click on the adults only "sticky". Lotsa good information there on testing fuel systems, tune-ups, links to service manuals etc.

 

[180shabah]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

Try running a higher octane gas.

This won't fix the problem, it will only mask the symptom for a little while, maybe.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

180 is right on that one.

 

[Maclin]

Re: 2003 3.0 Mericruser shut off problems

they told me some people call these greese plugs instead of core plugs.

I have heard them called
Core plugs,
Casting plugs,
Soft plugs,
Freeze plugs.


but I have never heard them called grease plugs.

If anyone else here has heard them referred to as grease plugs then I apologize to your shop guys ahead of time for this next remark.....I hope you are just hearing or remembering them wrong, if not then I recommend not going back there.