Mercruiser 3.0 Alpha One TKS - Fuel Pump issue?

[eddie_firstboat]

Hi, I am totally a new boater from Toronto, Canada, with no prior knowledge of boating nor mechanical systems. I am looking for helpful advices/comments on my boat problem (Please excuse my lack of knowledge.)

A few weeks ago I just bought this used 2014 Bayliner 175 with Mercruiser 3.0 Alpha One TKS engine on it. I suspected it has a fuel pump issue with following symptoms after my last use:

• #1 – Difficulty Starting (Longer cranking, engine starts and stall right after. Only second start works)
• #2 – Rough running at idle and low speed
• #3 – Hesitant acceleration
• #4 – Reduced power, could not reach top speed (~ 45 mph)
• #5 – Poor performance when climbing rough water
• #6 - The ignition start buzzing sound is week, or there is no buzzing sound at all

I also noticed the fuel sight tube was not connected to the flame arrestor (picture attached). The boat is parked at a slip on a lake and I am planning to have it checked by a mechanic soon.

Thank you very much
Eddie

 

[Scott Danforth]

Hi, I am totally a new boater from Toronto, Canada, with no prior knowledge of boating nor mechanical systems. I am looking for helpful advices/comments on my boat problem (Please excuse my lack of knowledge.)

A few weeks ago I just bought this used 2014 Bayliner 175 with Mercruiser 3.0 Alpha One TKS engine on it. I suspected it has a fuel pump issue with following symptoms after my last use:

• #1 – Difficulty Starting (Longer cranking, engine starts and stall right after. Only second start works)
• #2 – Rough Running at Idle and Low Speed
• #3 – Hesitant Acceleration
• #4 – Reduced Power, Could not reach top speed (~ 45 mph)
• #5 – Poor Performance When Climbing a Hill
• #6 - The ignition Start buzzing sound is week, or there is no buzzing sound at all

I also noticed the fuel sight tube was not connected to the flame arrestor (picture attached). The boat is parked at a slip on a lake and I am planning to have it checked by a mechanic soon.

Thank you very much
Eddie

welcome aboard.

the symptoms you list are not fuel pump issues. they are, however dirty carb and fuel system issues. if this boat sat a lot, the fuel in the tank and the carb could be bad. additionally, hard to start and hesitant acceleration are classic signs of debris in the carb

the ignition buzzer issue is probably a bad connection somewhere.

 

[eddie_firstboat]

Hi Scott,
Thanks a lot! Yes, the boat was not used often accordingly to previous seller. The first step I should take from here is to clean the carburetor?
Eddie

 

[Scott Danforth]

Hi Scott,
Thanks a lot! Yes, the boat was not used often accordingly to previous seller. The first step I should take from here is to clean the carburetor?
Eddie

the steps I would personally do:

• replace the engine belt
  remove the drive and do a full PM on the drive, including inspecting the u-joints, gimbal bearing, bellows, and alignment while replacing the raw water pump, and then change fuid
• drain the fuel tank and inspect its contents. if the fuel went bad, it has to be disposed of
• fill tank with fresh clean fuel
• pull the carb off the motor and have torn down and rebuilt. this will clean any of the passages and take care of any issues
• new cap/rotor/wires/plugs
• compression test on the motor. a new/good motor will have 150psi in each cylinder. make sure all the cylinders are between 125 and 150 psi, however more importantly, all within a few PSI of each other.
• change engine oil and filter
• reconnect the tattle-tail hose (yellow hose in your picture)
• service the trailer bearings and brakes

basically, with any new-to-you used boat, you must assume the prior owner did nothing with respect to maintenance.

 

[eddie_firstboat]

Noted Scott. Thanks.