Starts dies then won't start

[05StingRay]

Hey all, looking for any help as I am beyond frustrated. I have a Mercruiser 4.3L MPI, 0W063741. We had started having issues with the boat dying when my wife would go in to gear first thing off the boat. Then I started noticing that the motor felt like it was missing, felt like it was trying to pull a barge. So I went ahead and changed plugs, wires, cap and rotor to get me started. Get that done and now it will start after sitting but sounds rough then will die after 5-10 seconds. Then it won't start again, just cranks. Looking for any help as we don't have any mechanics nearby with diagnostic tools. Appreciate any help!!

 

[dubs283]

have you inspected the fuel delivery system, pump, fuel pressure, filters, etc...?

dying going into and out of gear is also indicative of a worn/misadjusted lower shift cable (alpha)

 

[05StingRay]

The fuel system was our gut feeling but didn't want to go crazy without having a scanner to help point us in the right direction. Fuel filter was changed first thing this year and then again when we did the ignition parts. I did get an appointment with our marina mechanic so hopefully he can get it squared away for me.

 

[gm280]

You could do a few tests yourself to give you an idea what is going on. You can pressure test the fuel rail(s) and see if they are pumping up correctly and holding. If the fuel pressure is low, you found your first problem. The filter doesn't offer much in the way of verifying the fuel pump is doing it's job. The correct fuel pressure in the rail does verify the pump and actual fuel delivery. JMHO

 

[05StingRay]

I finally got a mechanic to look at the boat and he got it going. Told me it was a half quart low on oil and that it needed the fuel injectors cleaned. Just wanting to see if the oil level would have caused a no start/run issue or if the injectors were the culprit. Thanks all

 

[Furbird]

A half quart low is not going to cause the oil sending unit to not send signal to the pump. 2 quarts maybe, but not a half.