Mercruiser 3.0 Base Timing Help!!!!

[krazymatt]

I have a 2002 Mercruiser Alpha One, 3.0L 4 cyl. and I'm trying to set the timing but on all the manuals I have it doesn't say anything, and my dealer gives me the runaround when I call him. The distributor has two white wires coming out with female bullet connectors. I know this is where you do it, but I'm not sure if you just straight jump it or if you need some sort of special tool. I want to make sure because I can't afford to fry something. Can someone help me please??? Thanks in advance....

 

[Laddies]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 Base Timing Help!!!!

With a jumper installed in the 2 wires just set the timiing at 1 deg BTDC

 

[krazymatt]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 Base Timing Help!!!!

I tried the jumper wire and it doesn't retard the timing like when you disconnect the vacuum advance on an old chevy or something. Must be something additional to this procedure. Anyone else???

 

[newport dave]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 Base Timing Help!!!!

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 Base Timing Help!!!!

basically after jumping the two white wires the white/green wire has to be taken to a 12V+ source to lock base timing. the book says to do it at the interupter.. in the above diagram the lead NOT labeled A will be taken to 12V +.

 

[krazymatt]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 Base Timing Help!!!!

Thanks a bunch guys! This helps me a whole lot. <br />I'm not totally clear on 3. where it says to join the engine harness wires together.? Which are the engine harness wires on the shift interupt?<br />So basically it would be the same as running a wire to the + side of the battery, and connect it to the jumper?

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 Base Timing Help!!!!

Locate the shift interrupt switch, follow the wires to the connectors. Unplug the switch and plug the wires that are on the harness side together. Won't do a thing to plug the wires together that are on the switch.

 

[clindsey]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 Base Timing Help!!!!

Just bought a 1988 Classic 17' w/ 3.0L mercruiser. Had boat out this week end everything ran great until Sunday. After pulling skiers and knee boarders for about an hour or so I stopped to allow a new skier into the water. When I went to start up it wouldn't. tried several times and then tried with the throttle all the way down. engine finally started but the smell of raw gas was very strong. This happened several times. Also when I went to shut off the engine it would diesel or try to keep running. After these problems occurred about 6 times everything went back to normal. Engine shut down with no addtional running and fired back up with out having to give throttle. Worked fine for a while and then stared acting up again. Is this timing related or carburator? Any help would be greatly appreciated. This is my first boat, please help.