have fuel and fire but wont start

[jrfuchs14]

have a 87 230 mercruiser 5.0 4bbl . left me dead in water last weekend it was slow turning over even when jumping ,high amp draw on starter so replaced with new high tork one . crank but will not start . whats next ? please help!!!

 

[45Auto]

Re: have fuel and fire but wont start

You need fuel, air, compression, then spark at about the right time for an engine to run. You're missing one of those.

It's probably getting air, don't see too many totally clogged spark arresters.

Do a quick check and see if it's getting fuel.

Do a quick check and see if it's getting spark.

You'll probably find you're missing one of the above. Let us know which one it is and we can go from there.

 

[jrfuchs14]

Re: have fuel and fire but wont start

carb is getting fuel checked spark from coil guess i need to check from distributor out . was running great then stopped for a sec and it died

 

[Bondo]

Re: have fuel and fire but wont start

carb is getting fuel checked spark from coil guess i need to check from distributor out .

Ayuh,... It's At the sparkplugs that Counts...For both Fuel,+ Fire....

 

[jrfuchs14]

Re: have fuel and fire but wont start

fire at plugs wants to start but just wont

 

[maxxman04]

Re: have fuel and fire but wont start

fire at plugs still doesn't mean GOOD fire at plugs. also, make sure there's fire at all plugs. points style ignition or electronic? points, check them. electronic, check, or have checked, the ignition module, pickup coil, ignition coil. you need the proper amount of spark at plugs. a quick visual tho, determine color of spark. orangish color, not good. bluish/purplish, good.

 

[maxxman04]

Re: have fuel and fire but wont start

also, check all vacuum hoses, carb mounting gasket, for wear, cracks. make sure gas is going thru carb, down intake, not just getting into carb. check timing as well.

 

[Wet Wonder]

Re: have fuel and fire but wont start

Check the battery first, make sure it has enough voltage. If the voltage is a little low, it'll crank but won't start. Slow cranking on a jump is not unusual if there is a problem with your battery, whether it's not being properly charged or it is shot.

 

[maxxman04]

Re: have fuel and fire but wont start

and it's usually the simple things that solve. good call on the battery.