91 Merc 3.0LX I/O fuel filters?

[DriftingAway]

Hey whats up everyone? Just bought my first bought 91 Chaparral 1800 SL w/ Merc 3.0LX i/o with alpha 1 outdrive. The guy ran the boat for close to an hour for me. I checked to make sure it was cold before he started it. Idled beautifully shifted fine revved fine no problems. Really clean engine and outdrive. Next day i took it out warmed it up and before i even made it out the harbor it died at barely cruising speed. So i spent hours drifting around getting it started idling and revving fine and it would die 30 seconds after i would start moving again. I pulled it out of the water and was told by 2 people that I need to change my fuel filters. The guy drained the tank and refilled it the day before I bought it. Does this sound like a fuel filter problem? Or did i just spend my money on a huge headache? Any and all input advice questions or comments are extremely welcomed. Thanks everyone in advance!!!!

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 91 Merc 3.0LX I/O fuel filters?

Grab the Exedrin bottle. . . How fast did the boat go when the guy you bought it from ran it for you?

I think changing the fuel filter would be a good start. . . that will determine if you bought yourself a headache.

BTW - Welcome to iBoats. Lots of information here.

 

[DriftingAway]

Re: 91 Merc 3.0LX I/O fuel filters?

Haha thanks tpenfield but i prefer advil! I ordered 2 filters from west marine that will be in on tuesday. The 1 on the bottom of the fuel pump and the one in the line running into the carb. The guy ran it for me with ears on land. I spent well over an hour inspecting every inch of that boat. Probably the cleanest engine i have seen on a boat older than 15 years. Im really trying not to freak out and feel ripped off. The guy swears up and down there is nothing wrong with the engine and i believe him. Maybe when he drained the tank it washed all the crud at the bottom into the filters? Anyway thanks for the reply and the welcome. Hopefully tuesday i can get the filters done and try again on thursday to see if it will go.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: 91 Merc 3.0LX I/O fuel filters?

The problem sounds fuel related to me, let us know what the old filters look like when you replace them, clogged or clear. Since the boat was only run on the trailer and not under load, you didn't get a good idea of how it was running. You should also add a water separating fuel filter to keep water out of the fuel pump and carb.

Check out the stickies at the top of this forum for troubleshooting guides.

 

[avi8or3117]

Re: 91 Merc 3.0LX I/O fuel filters?

Hello. Im not trying to hijack this thread, but this sounds very very similar to whats going on with me and my boat. The boat ran fine on the trailer, but today when I was out on the water it died on me. We idled out of the no wake zone and then went to give it gas and it just died. I gave it gas for about 20-30 seconds and then it just gave out. I would not start so we let it sit for about 20 minutes and then it started. Ran for about 2 minutes then died again. Is this a fuel issue?? Fuel filter? Carb?

Also where are the trouble shooting guides?? What are stickies?
Thanks and im sorry if this is jumping into your thread, but I thought we might have the same issue's going on.

Any help out there for me and DriftingAway??
Thank You

 

[tpenfield]

Re: 91 Merc 3.0LX I/O fuel filters?

Hello. Im not trying to hijack this thread, but this sounds very very similar to whats going on with me and my boat. The boat ran fine on the trailer, but today when I was out on the water it died on me. We idled out of the no wake zone and then went to give it gas and it just died. I gave it gas for about 20-30 seconds and then it just gave out. I would not start so we let it sit for about 20 minutes and then it started. Ran for about 2 minutes then died again. Is this a fuel issue?? Fuel filter? Carb?

Also where are the trouble shooting guides?? What are stickies?
Thanks and im sorry if this is jumping into your thread, but I thought we might have the same issue's going on.

Any help out there for me and DriftingAway??
Thank You

Avi8 - It is probably best that you start your own thread. That way the particulars of your boat/engine and its history can be addressed more clearly.

 

[avi8or3117]

Re: 91 Merc 3.0LX I/O fuel filters?

ok... wont happen again.

SORRY!! I just thought that a fuel problem is a fuel problem, regardless of engine size. I was looking for general info and troubleshooting tips that could help both of us out.

GOODLUCK

 

[fat fanny]

Re: 91 Merc 3.0LX I/O fuel filters?

As stated above change the fuel filter in the fuel pump bowl blow out all the lines back to the tank (disconnected of course), Pull the siphon tube up out of the tank and cleean the pick up screen and then check and clean the vent tube from any debri after that get it runnin and make sure you have 2 strong streams comming from the venturi of the looking down the throat of the air horn without the flame arrestor in place it's best to disconnect the throttle cable when doing this if there isn't 2 strong streams then you most likely have a carb re-build in your future. It would also be a good time while you have the lines off to test the fuel pump vacuum with it off the block hold one finger over the inlet after pressing down on the diaphram actuator lever to see if it holds vacuum. besides that educate yourself up in the stickies and or a OEM service manual it's the best way to learn. Good luck!

 

[DriftingAway]

Re: 91 Merc 3.0LX I/O fuel filters?

Fisherdan tomorrow i should be getting the filters but i also just ordered a moeller water separator, blower motor, and hoses. When i was running the other day the blower was screaming so its cheap enough to just be safe and replace it. Pretty much all the blower and vent hoses are effed up also so yet again better to be safe and replace. So im going to wait and replace the filters that are in there now and add the separator at the same time probably friday. Thanks for your post. Ok fatfanny I can handle a lot with a wrench and consider myself pretty mechanically inclined. My plan was pull the filter off the bottom of the fuel pump where it is replace it. Pull the inline filter out of where its going into the carb replace it. And before hooking the fuel line back to the fuel pump, install the water separator. Im not sure where my fuel tank is exactly. the fill is on the front left just pass the windshield. The line comes in the engine compartment from the center of the boat. If it was internal issues such as tank issues I wasnt going to mess with it. Do you think my plan seems reasonable? Or do you think i would be wasting my time without blowing out the lines? Here is a couple pics of whats going on. You can see the fuel pump and that i can get to the filter. And the grey hose is the fuel coming in. See a good spot for the separator? Thanks for the help guys.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: 91 Merc 3.0LX I/O fuel filters?

Get a pic of the filler neck and where it enters the hull both sides the vent most likely is part of the filler neck this could be part of your issues (plugged vent) from what I see you must have a belly tank look around on the deck and see if you have an access panel to your sending unit if not the tank could be tucked away under and or behind a jump seat in the rear of the hull.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: 91 Merc 3.0LX I/O fuel filters?

do you think i would be wasting my time without blowing out the lines?

If the fuel tank has an anti-siphon valve on it (I'm not sure when the year they started) blowing into the fuel line won't do anything as it will only seat the anti-siphon valve, it won't blow the screen clear. It's worth a shot, but the anti-siphon valve might not allow it (if there is an anti-siphon valve). Also, even if the screen is clogged and you are able to blow it clear, it will plug up again,,, probably at the worst possible time.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: 91 Merc 3.0LX I/O fuel filters?

Allow myself to repeat myself. "remove the lines and blow them out, pull the draw tube up out of the tank and remove any debri from the anti siphon tube and valve". And while the tube is out you can suck out the remaining fuel and see some of the contents of the tank. You may find nothin but it's a good practice from time to time to ensure your getting a good draw from the tank plus it eliminate one of the variables to your trouble shooting and it's free. One other thing to remember is to do what you can without spending any $$$ 1st! this hobby can get real exspensive real fast if you don't use your head.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: 91 Merc 3.0LX I/O fuel filters?

Just to repeat myself remove all the fuel lines blow them out, remove the tanks draw tube blow it out, remove the vent line blow it out, clean out any debri from the anti siphon valve and make sure it's not stuck (the vavle is usually part of the fitting on top of the draw tube to the tank. While the tube is out suck out any remaining fuel and check for any debri and when that complete re-assemble and that part of the one of the variables is complete and didn't cost a thing remember do the things that don't cost anything 1st (troubleshooting) If you don't use your head in this hobby it will get expensive real quick! Good Luck!!!!

 

[DriftingAway]

Re: 91 Merc 3.0LX I/O fuel filters?

I hear you fanny. Im all for doing it right and keeping it cheap. Here is a pic of the only point I can access my tank. My tank is about 3/4 full. The 2 hoses are what Im assuming is the fill and vent hoses. They run out the side and towards the front completely under the interior to the fill cap in front of the windshield. I could probably get my hand in there to loosen the clamps and pull the hoses off but what then? I dont see anyway of pulling them out of from where they run forward. And the hose from the tank to the carb is also inaccessible without me cutting up the floor. I still havent done the filters and whatnot cause the rain and crappy weather. And my outdrive stopped going down. Ahhh boating is the life........

 

[oldjeep]

Re: 91 Merc 3.0LX I/O fuel filters?

And my outdrive stopped going down.

My guess would be that your problems relate to a grounding issue.

Edit - scratch that since he started a new thread describing why the drive doesn't go up and down. Not electrical.

 

[DriftingAway]

Re: 91 Merc 3.0LX I/O fuel filters?

haha. thanks oldjeep!!!

 

[fat fanny]

Re: 91 Merc 3.0LX I/O fuel filters?

From what i can see from the pic's the anti siphon and pic up tube are gonna be b---h to get to but never the less the vent could also be apart of your filler cap start investigating get the name and model# off your tank and gogle it for some manufacture info (works for me) also removing the lines aren't necessary just disconnect them and blow thru them. After that change the filters odds are after that if shes still actin up you have a carb job in your near future. Good Luck