Alpha 3.0 bogs on acceleration

crunchyfrogs

Recruit
Joined
Apr 23, 2004
Messages
4
Hello;<br /><br />I'll try to be as short and sweet as possible. I just purchased from a very good friend a 89 Rinker with a Alpha 3.0 in it. The boat has always been stored in a garage, was winterized last fall, but John (my good bud) left the gas tank full. So the gas is a good six to eight months old. He did treat it with SeaFoam. We took it out for the first time yesterday for about an hour. When I was in the boat and driving I did not notice anything bad, it ran just fine. Then John took the boat for a spin when I was backing the trailer down. After, he said he noticed some "hesatation" when applying the throttle. I said that I had not noticed that at all.<br />So today, I took my wife and kids down to a lake to take them out in our new boat. For about the first ten minutes we just putted around, then I slowly applied throttle till we were up to about 30mph. I drove like that for a few minutes then went back to putting around. Then I tried stompin' on it, like you would to pull a skier up. The motor died. She started right back up. When I tried hitting it hard again, it died again. And again, the engine started right back up with no problem. And it does run very smooth. Next time I tried a nice smooth, slow acceleration and I was able to get up to full throttle and the engine ran nice and smooth. But, if I came off the throttle hard, the engine would die. The next time I tried working the throttle to wide open, as soon as I sensed the engine might die, I backed off a bit, then gave it more, backed off, gave it more. When I finally did get to WOT, it ran like CRAP! Sounded like it was missing really bad, like a few cylinders would fire and then a few wouldn't then a few would then not. The next time I did the nice, slow smooth acceleration, and she came up to full throttle and ran just fine. But, everytime I tried to really get on it, like I'll need to do to pull a skier, it completely died. Another thing is that after everytime it would die, she would start right back up again on the first crank. Everytime, first crank, very easy to start. Now another thing is, though this might be not so useful, is that I think the boat smelled real gassy when this would happen. I say it might not be useful in that my sense of smell is shot, and, it was somewhat breezy that day. So I think, I might have smelled gas - I could be wrong. My friend Johnny said it has never acted that way before, and I believe his word is better then gold. The only thing that I have been able to check so far is the fuel filter in the carb, which looked as if it were brand new, no gunk, no sand, no particulates or sludge of any kind. This may be worthless info, but this motor looks like it's right out of the box. Not one drop of oil, no dirt, spankin' clean.<br />Now I haven't owned a boat for a good number of years and my boats were always outboards, this is my first inboard. And I'm fairly good with working on engines. (In my younger days I built two mud trucks from the ground up.) I also would like the next time I take my kids out, it runs real well. Does anyone have a few good starting points to go after? I would like to check as much as possible before heading down to the water again.<br />A few other things: it is time for an oil\oil filter change, it should have new sparks put in. I have not had time to check the condition of the rotor and cap, spark wires.<br /><br />Any help is going to be greatly welcomed. Not only by me, but my bud Johnny is pretty bummed out about what's happened.
 

rodbolt

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
20,066
Re: Alpha 3.0 bogs on acceleration

hello<br /> welcome to the mer-carb. you will lean all about them. there is also a filter in the fuel pump that clogs cause its such a beast to change no one will change it. also the accelerator pump circuits like to cog on this carb. sounds like its time for a fuel system tune up. also if this engine has points try a new set, points condenser cap and rotor. what a way to spend a saturday :) :) .<br /> good luck and keep posting
 

crunchyfrogs

Recruit
Joined
Apr 23, 2004
Messages
4
Re: Alpha 3.0 bogs on acceleration

My next stop is going to be the filter in the pump, and to check the rotor and points.
 

crunchyfrogs

Recruit
Joined
Apr 23, 2004
Messages
4
Re: Alpha 3.0 bogs on acceleration

Another one is a good manual for this one, I was looking at getting the Clymer, or the shop manual from Mercury. Any better suggestions?
 

rodbolt

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 1, 2003
Messages
20,066
Re: Alpha 3.0 bogs on acceleration

hello<br /> I prefer the merc manual although the clymer and the seloc are written more for the DIY'fer.<br /> however I do it daily and have for quite some time. its not uncommon to have accelerator circuit failures after extended sittintg. good luck and have fun :)
 

dhammann

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 25, 2002
Messages
299
Re: Alpha 3.0 bogs on acceleration

Mercruiser has a service bulletin on this problem with '89s. It tells of float interence with the airhorn...check it out!!
 

dhammann

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Mar 25, 2002
Messages
299
Re: Alpha 3.0 bogs on acceleration

spelling correction..Interference
 
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