Mercuiser 3.0l Won't stay runining.

[Aquatron]

Ok, just started to bring back a 1994 Mercuiser 3.0L. I tried to start it for the first time yesterday and it took a while to get it to start. I got it to run for only about 5 seconds each time. So I took off the distributor cap and took some 400 grit sand paper to the points but that didn?t seem to help. I know I need to do a complete tune up and I will, my question I know if the points are corroded BAD they will make it hard to start or not start at all. My question will bad points allow it to start and run for about 5 seconds and then shut down? When I do get it started I give it more gas and that doesn?t seem to help at all. A little info on the boat it has been sitting and has not been run since maybe march of 2011 thats as far as I know. I do know I am getting gas because I can see it squirting in the carb, when I move the throttle. I suspect I have some bad gas? Thoughts????

 

[LilRedNeckGirl]

Re: Mercuiser 3.0l Won't stay runining.

don the tune up, including cap & wires, drain all the gas and start with fresh, change all the fuel system filters, Then try the start up. Only then will you know if its going to start and stay running.... to many variables on a new project with "Bad corrosian" on points. That same condition likely exists on all your electrical parts. You suspect bad gas, yet you try to run it? change it out, clean the tank, replace filters, check the fuel pump, then fire it up.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Mercuiser 3.0l Won't stay runining.

^^^ Yup, I would start with fresh fuel. Even if you don't drain the tank for testing, run the engine off an outboard tank, outboard tank plumbed into the fuel pump. March 2011 isn't that long, (isn't that great either) but I would rule out bad fuel since you suspect it. Who knows, maybe there's a bunch of water or separated ethanol in the tank right now.......

 

[Aquatron]

Re: Mercuiser 3.0l Won't stay runining.

Sounds good still one more question, it does crank over and start once in a while but it shuts down real quick. I was wondering if the points were bad would it even start? The other question if the cutoff switch (not the neutral safety switch the lanyard) is not hooked up will the motor turn over or will it act like you are trying to start it while it?s in gear and do nothing? The reason I ask I have had a wiring mess on my hands they had the ignition switch wired up wrong they had the purple wire on the Batt terminal and it was getting power all the time, gages worked with switch in the off position. I moved the purple wire over to the (I) position and I checked for continuity between (B) and (I) and all seemed good. I also cked for power and of course that was good, when I turned the ignition switch to on all gages worked. The only position I did not ck was the (S) position and I think that might be part of the issue. The question I have is maybe they wired the ignition switch up that way because they were trying to go around a wiring problem. The only thing that makes me think it?s a fuel problem is I can get it to occasionally start it just won?t stay running. Just wondering if anyone can shed some light on wiring issues or fuel issues, I have a long way to go before I put it in the water. I do understand the importance of doing a good tune up and that is coming this weekend.

 

[Aquatron]

Re: Mercuiser 3.0l Won't stay runining.

FIXED!!!! found a wiring problem with ignition wires. I still plan on doing a tune up and filter changes. Thanks for the help.