Novice boat owner needs help: 1989 Mercruiser 3.0 won’t start

[Reacher558]

Hi Everyone,
I just bought my first boat ever today, a 1989 Raven bowrider with a 3.0 Mercruiser onboard outboard engine. I knew getting into this boat that it wasn’t started in a year and was told that it needed a new engine coil and that the distributor was replaced last year.
I replaced the battery and engine coil today. When I try to start the motor, it cranks but won’t turn over. A friend told me to check the spark and I don’t see a spark coming from the spark plug wire when I disconnected it and held it close to metal.
I started reading several posts on this site and became a little overwhelmed since I have very little experience with working on engines.

I would greatly appreciate any advice for next steps to troubleshoot and diagnose this issue.

Some other info:
-The oil looks really clean when I checked the dipstick
-I put about two gallons of gas in
-i sprayed some starter fluid in the carb before attempting to start the engine
-As stated earlier, I have never owned a boat and know very little about operating a boat (I am actively researching and learning)
-The solenoid sparked to a socket wrench I got too close to it so it is getting power
-I only have basic tools (no volt testing gear) but I can pick up any tools needed to diagnose this issue


Thanks for reading!

 

[Rick Stephens]

You will need a voltmeter. One guarantee with boats, you will not do them on the cheap. Only thing more expensive than a boat is an airplane. Well, had a racecar once that cost more.

If you are going to maintain and fix your boat yourself, you will end up needing some tools. No way around it. It's either that or pay someone a lot to do the jobs. You will need to get the correct Mercruiser manual, for now you can use the online version at boatinfo.no You need to do all the maintenance before you dunk the boat and find out it isn't ready for the wet. And this is the right place to ask questions on how to do it yourself. That's all this forum is about.

You will need to change the oil and filters, not just look at it. Need to drain the outdrive oil and pull the drive off the boat and do the scheduled maintenance on it. Grease the u-joints, inspect the bellows, gimbal bearing and impeller. Note - never try to start a mercruiser sterndrive with the drive installed without water muffs hooked up supplying cooling water. The water pump impeller in the drive will not last even a few moments dry. You need to check the alignment while the drive is off - another tool needed, the alignment bar. You can get off ebay.

Need to check that you are getting power to the coil. Hence the voltmeter.


Welcome to the forum.

RIck

 

[alldodge]

it cranks but won’t turn over.

Does this mean, the motor will turn over (and crank) but it won't start?

 

[Reacher558]

Rick,
Thanks for the response and advice! I am picking up a colt meter today and found the manual last night online. Also, thanks for the tip about the muffs, I used them yesterday when trying to start the engine. I am researching now how to change the oil and filter. I will follow up with the other items you mentioned.

Alldodge,
The engine tries to start but doesn’t turn over. When I turn the key, the belt and everything moves and tries to start, but it never turns over. (Not sure if I am explaining that well)

any ideas on where I should start with the voltmeter?

Thanks!

 

[alldodge]

Around here cranking and turning over mean the same thing (motor is rotating by the starter). Does not Start or Run means the same

Motor turns over but does not start

Motor serial numbers are best to supply

Being a 1989 and your discussion of replacing the coil would probably mean you have TB4 ignition. Its hardly ever the coil, the coil hardly ever fails

Use the troubleshooting flow chart for the TBV to test your ignition system. TB4 and TBV use same method

 

[Reacher558]

Thanks, Dodge! I was able to narrow it down a little. The coil is getting 12v at the positive and the cable leading to the distributor is getting 12v. When I tested the cables coming out of the distributor they are not reading any current when the key is turned.
based on the flow chart you sent, it looks like I am going to replace the ignition sensor in the distributor and see if that works.
I am working on finding that part now.

one more unrelated question: The lower engine (where the propeller is located) is not moving when I hit the trim lever. I can hear a motor humming and hear clicking, but it is not moving. It looks like the reservoir under the pump is empty. Where do you think I should start to diagnose the issue with the trim not working?

 

[Reacher558]

The motor serial number is 0C512445

 

[tpenfield]

fill the trim reservoir and see if you can get the trim to work. Check the manual for the correct fluid . . .most are 30w oil.

Aren't boats fun

 

[alldodge]

The lower engine (where the propeller is located

Thats the outdrive

 

[Reacher558]

Thanks, Ted! I will fill that up and try it out. Boats are so much fun :laugh:

Dodge, thanks for the correct terminology!

Also, I am having trouble finding the right part for the replacement ignition sensor as stated in the flow chart. Everyone that I find says it is for a V6 or V8 and mine is a 4 cyl. Can anyone point me in the right direction for this part? Would this one i linked below work?

 

[alldodge]

Lets full STOP
Just checked your serial number and its for the drive, thats ok.
Then look at 1989 3.0 and it has only 2 ignition systems listed, points and DDIS.

Don't think you have DDIS because your comments would be different.
How many wires are going to the distributor?
Please remove the distributor cap and post a pic of distributor.

 

[Rick Stephens]

Lets full STOP
Just checked your serial number and its for the drive, thats ok.
Then look at 1989 3.0 and it has only 2 ignition systems listed, points and DDIS.

Don't think you have DDIS because your comments would be different.
How many wires are going to the distributor?
Please remove the distributor cap and post a pic of distributor.

Long ways from buying parts! Listen to AD, he knows. Figure out what is wrong before buying anything. You are a long ways from getting basic maintenance looked at, let alone done. So slow down and get it right.

 

[Reacher558]

Ok, thanks guys. Here are the pics requested. Please let me know if it helps to get any other pics or info to diagnose.

 

[Reacher558]

Also, the serial number on the engine is 0C501153

 

[alldodge]

Thanks
This clears things up, you have points. Sorry but I was side tracked and didn't look deep because didn't know what the serial number was, and just guessing. The serial number posted is also an outdive number from 1983-1990

Take your points and condenser to the local NAPA or auto store and ask for a new set, and you want both

Or order
34235T points
8M6001218 Condensor

Assuming you don't know how to set points
Mark distributor location with block (scribe or scratch)

Loosen distributor and will need .022 feeler gauge. Loosen screw holding points just a bit, then rotate dist until the points open their widest on top of the dist lobe. Adjust gap so feeler gauge just goes in and there is a very lsight drag coming back out.

Turn dist back to scribe location and tighten bolt.

Try starting, if it runs you will then need to set timing to 4* BTDC

 

[Reacher558]

Thanks, Dodge! I am going to get started on removing the points and condensor now as prescribed and try to find a replacement set in town at a couple of Auto parts stores.

And yes, i don't know how to set points, but I will follow your instructions. Can I ask for clarification on the 4* BTDC?

 

[alldodge]

You will need a timing light (see if you can rent from auto store)
Connect light to number 1 plug wire (first plug)
Connect +/- to battery terminals

On front pulley look for a notch or marking on timing chain cover and pulley. Mark the pulley and timing cover for 4 degrees before top dead center

See manual
http://boatinfo.no/lib/mercruiser/manuals/mercruiser8.html#/132

 

[Reacher558]

OK, got it. I was able to find the point and condenser after going to a couple of stores in town. I will see if i can rent a timing light tomorrow. Thanks for the link to the manual!

 

[alldodge]

Try to get it started first. No need for the light unless it starts and runs. You can adjust the distributor by hand slightly turning if it does wont to keep running after installing points

 

[Reacher558]

Ok, gotcha. I will work on getting the points and condenser now then to see if it will start. Thanks