3.0 liter Mercury LX that has sat in a garage for 2 years

[jrt77]

Looking at a verry clean 1997 19 foot Maxum. The boat has been sitting in an 83 year old man's garage (winterized) since 2/09.

He, and dealer (dealer is selling on consignment) swear that it is in tip-top shape.
Has 157 hours on it.

I am going on a sea trial Saturday. Is there anything that I should be especially concerned with since it has sat for so long?

Any help appreciated....this would be my first boat.

I would obviously plan on changing all fluids, changing impeller, bellows, belts, Ujoints, Gimbal Bearing.... But I am worried about the piston rings, seals, etc since it has sat this long.

What say you?

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0 liter Mercury LX that has sat in a garage for 2 years

But I am worried about the piston rings, seals, etc since it has sat this long.

2 years is not that big a problem. Other than the items you list for replacement, I would be more worried about the gas than anything else. Water from E fuels and seperation would be my concern.

 

[jrt77]

Re: 3.0 liter Mercury LX that has sat in a garage for 2 years

2 years is not that big a problem. Other than the items you list for replacement, I would be more worried about the gas than anything else. Water from E fuels and seperation would be my concern.

So, what would I do to remedy this if that is a problem? I was told that sta-bil was added at Time of storage. Thanks for the reply

 

[legoman67]

Re: 3.0 liter Mercury LX that has sat in a garage for 2 years

i wouldn't even be worried about the following unless its been otherwise found that they are indeed bad:

bellows, Ujoints, Gimbal Bearing


2 years is hardly any time for a block of steel, properly winterized and covered they can sit for 10+ years, with only minor action required to get them going again

 

[jrt77]

Re: 3.0 liter Mercury LX that has sat in a garage for 2 years

Very good and encouraging to hear. The gas issue has me a bit worried and I'd like to know what to look/listen for....to know if there is a problem.

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0 liter Mercury LX that has sat in a garage for 2 years

I would be getting a sample of fuel or water off the bottom of the tank if it was my boat.
Raise the bow of the boat up so the back of the gas tank is lower than the front. (NOTE: you can't do this with a full tank. 3/4 or less and check it)
I remove the fuel inlet fitting from the tank, then with a rigid small dia tube, and an electric fuel pump, I suck some gas out of the bottom of the tank and look at it.

 

[jrt77]

Re: 3.0 liter Mercury LX that has sat in a garage for 2 years

So lets say I do that and there is water...would sucking all that gas out, replacing with a no ethanol gas and some sta-bil fix that problem?

 

[Bondo]

Re: 3.0 liter Mercury LX that has sat in a garage for 2 years

So lets say I do that and there is water...would sucking all that gas out, replacing with a no ethanol gas and some sta-bil fix that problem?

Ayuh,... Just suckin' the water out from under the gas will probably be enough....

 

[Don S]

Re: 3.0 liter Mercury LX that has sat in a garage for 2 years

replacing with a no ethanol gas

Non E gas is getting harder and harder to find, and running on E fuels is not the problem. But storing for 2 years CAN be.
If you do find water, I would just remove the water, top off with new fuel and run it. But, like most 3.0L engines they DO NOT come with a water seperating fuel filter. and really should have one installed to prevent water getting into the fuel pump and carb.

Your delema is the sea trial. The fuel sample and filet would be done after the seatrial, and you may end up with a stalled engine if there is much water build up in the tank. Once on the water, the water could fill the carb and stall out.

 

[proshadetree]

Re: 3.0 liter Mercury LX that has sat in a garage for 2 years

I have also found that if that fuel stinks it will build up a varnish in the engine. I had a 5.0 ford that stuck the valves after the first run. Machinist said it was a sticky goo that did it. I can only assume it came from the burning of the old fuel.