Diagnosis please, fuel level effecting crank up.

[JeremiahBone]

I have a 1991 Larson Hampton 220. Mercruiser Alpha One 5.0. When I initlaly had a problem keeping my rig started I used carb cleaner and filled with new gas and it ran like a champ.

Today I went to crank or up and it refused to start. It usually starts with just the turn of the key. If that doesn't work I will hit the throttle a bit and get it going. Today it wouldn't not start with any method. I decided to fill 5 gallons of gas and it started after a few tugs on the throttle. Ran great but I wasn't completely empty to start with.

Please help.

 

[ondarvr]

If there's a hole in the pick up tube in the tank it may suck air before the tank is empty, I'm not saying that's what it is, but it's possible.

 

[JeremiahBone]

If there's a hole in the pick up tube in the tank it may suck air before the tank is empty, I'm not saying that's what it is, but it's possible.

Any way to run a test on the pick up tube?

 

[ondarvr]

Any way to run a test on the pick up tube?

​Pull it out and inspect it.