Serpentine belts

[lmholmes11]

Do you guys relieve the tension on your accessory belts/serpentine belt for the winter? Also, how often should I pull the carburetor to clean/inspect? The previous owner of my 92' rinker captiva 206 said there's some kind of inline screen (brass maybe) that clogged on him one summer and caused it to run rough and I don't want this to happen to me. Thanks everyone!

 

[Don S]

Re: Serpentine belts

If you keep new fuel in the boat, and change the water separating fuel filter yearly, there is no reason or need to rebuild the carb unless you have problems.

What engine and carb are you talking about. There is a screen in the inlet fitting of some carbs, but it doesn't get clogged up unless the water/fuel separator is plugged up and starts bypassing debris.

 

[lmholmes11]

Re: Serpentine belts

Thanks for the reply. I actually don't know if I have a fuel filter. I have been trying to find one but haven't had any luck.

 

[Don S]

Re: Serpentine belts

Post the Mercruiser serial number for the engine, then we can tell you where the filter is.

 

[Mischief Managed]

Re: Serpentine belts

I do not relieve the tension on the belt on my engine (or any other belt driven thing I own) unless I need to do so for maintenance or the belt operates as a clutch (like on my lawn tractor and snow blower). What does doing that accomplish?

 

[lmholmes11]

Re: Serpentine belts

The engine is a 4.3LX /v6. With the thunderbolt ignition. Not sure if that helps with fuel filter location. Also there is a little black box on the left side of the engine that has a red button on it. What's that for? I think it says re-set by it so it must be some kind of breaker?

 

[lmholmes11]

Re: Serpentine belts

Picture

 

[Don S]

Re: Serpentine belts

That is not a serial number. The serial number is on a tag just above the starter on the back of the engine where the flywheel cover attaches. The number will have a 0 then a letter, followed by 6 numbers.
4.3LX doesn't really mean anything and serpentine belts weren't used on boats in 92.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Serpentine belts

The engine is a 4.3LX /v6. With the thunderbolt ignition. Not sure if that helps with fuel filter location. Also there is a little black box on the left side of the engine that has a red button on it. What's that for? I think it says re-set by it so it must be some kind of breaker?

Ayuh,... I'm guessin' it's a 4.3l with a 4bbl. carb, might be a Quadra-jet, or more likely the Merc/ Weber...

There oughta be a canister fuel filter, forward starboard corner, down low....
The Quadra-jet might have the little filter, In it's inlet fittin'...

'n it oughta have V-belts, not a Serpentine...

 

[lmholmes11]

Re: Serpentine belts

Don S, I realize that is not a serial number, just thought that the engine info would help. My boat is shrink wrapped in the barn and don't want to get into it.

Sorry, meant to call it the "accessory" belt, not serpentine belt.

Thanks Bond O, I'll look for the canister in the spring. I'd still be interested in finding out what that red button /black box is.

 

[Don S]

Re: Serpentine belts

I'd still be interested in finding out what that red button /black box is.

It's the main engine circuit breaker for power, also provides power to your ignition switch. You should find the slave solenoid in there too.

Do you have an electric fuel pump or a mechanical one.

 

[lmholmes11]

Re: Serpentine belts

Ok thanks Don

If I remember right it's electronic. I've never had to do anything with it, that's why I can't remember

 

[Don S]

Re: Serpentine belts

Ok thanks Don

If I remember right it's electronic. I've never had to do anything with it, that's why I can't remember

That's why we need a serial number. You don't know what you have, but you want answers to what you have and we can't see it to know either.
In 1992, Mercruiser did a mid year change of fuel system, from mechanical to electric. This also changed the type carb, fuel filter, and electrical system. Also, you are giving the year (92) which is probably the year of the boat, and the engine could well be a year older or newer than the boat. Boats also have been known to get repowered, since you started this thread with a title called serpentine belts and they weren't used in 92, your boat may have had a much newer engine installed at some point.
So without being able to actually see what you have or have a serial number, everything is just a guess as to which model you may have.

 

[lmholmes11]

Re: Serpentine belts

Hello again, I'm back with my engine and drive serial numbers.

Engine: OD600204
Drive:OD637086

Thanks guys

 

[Don S]

Re: Serpentine belts

Hello again, I'm back with my engine and drive serial numbers.

Engine: OD600204
Drive:OD637086

Thanks guys

4.3LX, 4bbl carb, Power steering, with Alpha I Gen II drive.

 

[lmholmes11]

Re: Serpentine belts

What's the location of the fuel filter? Thanks Don

 

[Don S]

Re: Serpentine belts

Your fuel filter is inside the fuel pump. It is NOT a water separating fuel filter. They became standard on later models.

I would strongly suggest you get a water separating fuel filter kit and install it between the tank and the fuel pump.

Go to the link below, type in your serial number of your engine, then go to the fuel pump and fuel filter page of the parts catalog to see the filter you have now.
https://webapps.brunswick.com/literature/literatureSearch.do