Mercruiser 3.0 out of 3 year storage-- cranks no start

[juels98]

Good morning boaters!

Looking for some help here. I have a 1993 Regal Valanti 17.6. It has a 3.0 Mercruiser 4 cyl engine. I had it winterized (fogged and antifriezed) by the marina and put in to storage 3 seasons ago. Bought a new house, moved.....didn't have time to use the boat. Now, 3 years later, I figure I get back to it. I changed the plugs, changed the lower unit impeller/lube. Changed the fuel filter. I pulled the dipstick and the oil in the pan looked clean-- not even burned. (Yes, I'll change the oil, but figured I need it warmed up anyway before I do). I added a little oil to the engine so the top is not dry. I changed the fuel filter. I cranked the engine-- No Run (turns but does not start).

I know there's an argument on fuel age that goes both ways, so I figure I'll see how the boat runs and decide if I need to remove the gas or not-- besides, the marina added stable to it. However, in my case, when I take off the flame arrester and look in the carb after a few attempts to start, I still don't see nor smell fuel. In fact, even when I changed the fuel filter, it was bone dry. I know I have spark as I put in the spark tester on one of the plugs and I saw the spark. I also changed the cap/rotor and spark plug wires.

Am I wrong about thinking that the carb should show/smell like fuel if fuel is coming? My next though was to put a cap of fresh gas into the carb to see if it runs for a few sec to prove it's a fuel issue. I don't know much about boat engines-- just tinker with cars. Wanna make sure I don't blow my self up I have the cover fully removed from the engine bay-- so there's plenty of air and no smell of gas (unfortunately in my case ) whatsoever.

Please help! Anything in the carb need to be checked/cleaned to get fuel going?

Thank you,

Julian

 

[tlewis1]

The system just may need to be primed with fuel if it sat for that long. If you changed the fuel water separator then it should have been full of fuel when you installed a new one, just pop it off and fill with a jerry can. two things to do at the carb is you can disconnect the throttle lever and manually advance the throttle while looking down the carb and see if fuel is coming out of the carb. Or you can loosen the fuel supply hose going into the carb and crank the motor over quick to see if fuel is going up the line.

 

[ThomW]

Even when you get it running, three year old gas is going to be iffy at best. Even if they put stabil in the first year, I am sure they didn't add more the next two years and that gas may be on its way out. Either way,

Have you check the fuel pump? They have a small filter in the bottom ( or top depending on model of pump) that might be gummed up. See if there is gas in the fuel pump bowl. If you pump the throttle, you should see gas squirting into carb, if not, then pull gas line to carb and see if gas is trying to enter carb. If gas isn't making to the carb, it's probably a pump issue.
With those fuel pumps, the diaphragm can stick/dry up if the sit idle too long. Try removing the fuel pump (just two bolts that hold it on) and try pumping the arm by hand to see if it is stuck and or if you can get some movement back in the pump. Then reinstall and see if you are getting gas to the carb.

You can pour a little gas in the carb to see if it starts, but I would recommend placing the flame arrester back over it before trying to start. I have seen flaming gas shoot out of a carb and catch carpets on fire....haha...never good. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[Bt Doctur]

fill the fuel sep, and prime the carb.

 

[achris]

I know there's an argument on fuel age that goes both ways...

Nope, no argument. That fuel is DEAD. Run your engine on it and your engine will be too. Petrol losses its ability to resist knocking (which is what the octane number represents) as it ages. When you run an engine on fuel that self ignites in the chamber, the pistons get damaged, or you could bend a connecting rod. There is no argument about this, it happens. Fuel at 12 months old becomes borderline. At 3 years, yeah, it's weed killer.

Chris. ....

 

[jackd1023]

make sure "run/stop" switch is turned to run, change fuel

 

[juels98]

so, it took me a few weeks to get back to looking at the boat. I decided to siphon the old gas first. I opened the gas cap and didn't smell any gas. Originally, when I tried starting the boat a few weeks ago, the gas gauge showed 1/4th tank. Anyway, so didn't smell any gas. I stuck my hose down the tank and tried to siphon by pumping the bulb thing. Got no gas. I pulled the hose out. It was dry and didn't smell like gas. So, I figured no gas and the gauge is bad

I poured some fresh gas down the carb and the engine ran for 3 seconds. I did that a few times, and each time it ran.

So, I went and got about 4 gallons of fresh 93 octane and put that in the tank. Tried cranking a few times, but the engine never ran. No gas in the carb either.

I guess I have a mechanical pump. There's a rubber hose coming in to it and a metal line coming out going to the carb. I pulled the rubber hose off and while playing with it, noticed gas came out of it. However, since the hose plugs in to the pump from the bottom, the gas didn't leak when I pulled off the hose, it only leaked when I moved the hose around around meaning either the pressure didn't hold the gas and it went back in to the hose, or, there wasn't enough pressure yet to bring the gas to the pump. I think the hose sits above the gas tank too.

So, here's my question. I assume that since there's gas in that hose, the pump is working. I have not looked at the fuel filter in the pump since I replaced the filter to verify if there's gas. The reason is there's a small clear fuel line coming off the carb going to the pump. I believe it's like an overflow. Am I correct? I only put a few cap fulls of gas in to the carb each time. It by no means was the carb full or holding gas. So, if I take apart the fuel filter and it has gas-- can I assume it's not because of the overflow?

One reason I hesitate to pull the pump is I read somewhere that there's a right and a wrong way to put it back and I don't want to be wrong So, before I go there-- any other way to check if the pump working? Other than that-- it's definitely a gas issue Finally, I cranked about 10-15 seconds each time maybe 4 or 5 time total during the day-- that should have been enough to build pressure--shouldn't it?

Thank you!

Julian

 

[RaceCarRich]

Confirm gas to carb. Take metal line off and stick into a Gatorade bottle or something. Crank and observe. If no gas, suspect filter in pump or pump itself. If gas, suspect clogged carb.

The clear line is an overflow and should be empty.

Either way, put fresh gas in tank. Stabile does not preserve for 3 years.

 

[juels98]

Alright, I'm back-- I move like a sloth

Latest update:
I got some time to tinker with the boat (fall season). I added more gas to the tank to be sure that's not the problem-- up to 5 gallons now. Tried cranking-- turns but doesn't start.

I tried to take the metal fuel line off the carb and it seemed to have been stuck or cross-threaded, anyway, ended up braking the fuel line. (Thought it was a $10 part, but no! It's $40 ) I did see the inline fuel-line filter which had blueish dust in it, but the line was dry-- no gas. Removed the other end of the fuel line from the fuel pump. Put a clear hose in its place and cranked the engine. Engine turned, but no gas came up the line.

At this point, I suspect it's the fuel pump, so I ordered a new one which is due to arrive any day now (along with the freakin' $40 fuel line :facepalm: ) Hate to be the one to throw parts at it-- but seems like a logical next step-- hopefully that will get it going.

Julian

 

[achris]

Fuel at the inlet, no fuel at the outlet. Sounds like a fuel pump failure to me.

And before anyone starts suggesting timing gears or a camshaft problem, Julian put petrol in the carb and the engine fired and run briefly. So the engine is fine.

Chris. ...

 

[Bondo]

I got some time to tinker with the boat (fall season). I added more gas to the tank to be sure that's not the problem-- up to 5 gallons now. Tried cranking-- turns but doesn't start.

Ayuh,.... The tank itself could be full of crap,... 'n 3 year old gas Is crap,...

I'd hook up a remote tank directly to the fuel pump, 'n try it,....

 

[juels98]

Quick update(somewhat):
I replaced the fuel pump. The new pump had both inlet and outlet on the same side where the old one had each on different side. Also, the new pump had a gasket and nipples or whatever they're called that had to be screwed in to the pump in a separate bag. My old pump had the input nipple that accepted a rubber hose with a tie where as the one that came with the pump accepted a screw-on line. Anyway, I transferred the old nipples to new pump and hooked it up. Turned over the engine and it started right up. After a minute or so the white smoke from the exhaust was gone and the engine seemed to run smoother.

Few new questions

1. I did replace the impeller earlier this season due to a suggestion because the boat sat for 3 years. But I noticed that when I now started the boat, when it was at 3k or so RPM, the propeller would spin. Is that normal? I wasn't in gear.

2. After running on muffs for about 3-5 minutes, I noticed the coolant temp climb. What's the normal coolant (water) temp for running on muffs? I was close to 200F then I shut it off.

3. Any special test to do to check for fuel leaks (to make sure I did it all right?)

Thank you,

Julian

 

[hoowahfun]

1. I did replace the impeller earlier this season due to a suggestion because the boat sat for 3 years. But I noticed that when I now started the boat, when it was at 3k or so RPM, the propeller would spin. Is that normal? I wasn't in gear.

2. After running on muffs for about 3-5 minutes, I noticed the coolant temp climb. What's the normal coolant (water) temp for running on muffs? I was close to 200F then I shut it off.

1) Running at 3k on muffs is a no-no. As for the prop, I'm not sure. Could be from over revving it.
2) The coolant temp is probably related to over revving it on muffs. Your engine was probably starved for water and overheated.