Won't start after storage

[jedimaster]

Ok, 3.0 mercruiser 4 cyl, 140hp 1988

Won;t start, turns over with compresion getting fuel, has good blue/white spark on all plugs, won't start.

I pulled the carb off and cleaned it, seems to be working fine, gas seems ok, as treated with stabil,
I tried pouring fresh gas down the carb and still won't fire, also tried shooting with ethyr and it wouldn't fire.

Any ideas on where to start?

Spark good, compresion good, gas good
only thing I can think of is the timing,but would the timing get thrown off from storing the boat?

I am digging through my garage looking for my timing gun, but I cam in for a beer break, and figured I would post incase I am missing something.

 

[jedimaster]

Re: Won't start after storage

I am thinking maybe it got some water in the tank, Going to go get some fresh gas. any other ideas?

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Won't start after storage

When was the last complete tune up?? What were the compression readings?? I would start by verifying the compression, and doing a complete tune up. For instance your plugs can appear OK (i.e. jump a spark) outside the engine, but not fire under the pressure of compression.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Won't start after storage

Ayuh,...... I'm with LT here,......

Fogged Sparkplugs Might spark outside the motor, But Not under Compression.......

If it was a Fuel Delivery Issue,....... She'd have Lit when you dumped Gas down the carb.....
Btw,....... Get Rid of the Ether......
It's Not a Good Thing on Gas motors, where as Gas will do the Same Thing.....

 

[jedimaster]

Re: Won't start after storage

Even if there is water in the tank and I pour gas down the carb it should still fire right?
I have hooked up a fresh gas can to the fuel and still the same thing,
It has new wires, cap and rotor but same plugs from last year, maybe I should try new plugs then?

 

[Bondo]

Re: Won't start after storage

maybe I should try new plugs then?

Ayuh...................

 

[jedimaster]

Re: Won't start after storage

Tested timing is set at 4 Degrees BDTC
I think its supposed to be 6
Would that make much of a difference 2 derees?

Also tested the Compresion not so good news.
1 and 4 are 110 and 120

Number 2 and 3 are at 28 and 36.

So now what? Rings, Valves, I heard someims spraying WD-40 down the cylinder chamber can sometimes help. Any ideas on what happened over winter storage?
It was fogged and filled with antifreeze, and stabil was run through it. It ran perfectly fine right when I stored it.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Won't start after storage

Sounds like it could be a head gasket, (adjacent cylinders) but there's only one way to find out.
Something went south, and I doubt there is a fix in a can for you problem.

 

[jedimaster]

Re: Won't start after storage

I dunno, I am not too convinced on rings or valves. I am thinking head gasket, or ughh even worse cracked block.
Seem a it coincidental that two cylinders beside eachother are low. Usually with rings or valves it'll only be one cylinder.
I guess I better pull the head and check the heaqd gasket. This is not good. I doubt very much that I will be able to find a head gasket today. Supposed to go fishing tomorow. My fault for not getting the boat out sooner I guess.

 

[jedimaster]

Re: Won't start after storage

As a precaution does anyone know the part nuber for
Rings,
Valves,
and Head gasket?
Are they interchangable between any car engines?

 

[ziggy]

Re: Won't start after storage

bummer about yer numbers man. either take it apart to find out whats wrong, or do a air leak test or cyl. leakdown test to try and diagnois what's wrong prior to tear down would be next i'd think......might as well wait for the part numbers to find out what ones to reasearch first..

 

[MainstreetUSA1]

Re: Won't start after storage

Jedimaster,
You can get part numbers and pricing here:

http://www.mercurypartsexpress.com/PartsExpress/HomePage/homepage.asp

​

 

[jedimaster]

Re: Won't start after storage

Anyone ever see a grown man jump up in the air and screamm woooohoooo its a blown head gasket.
Pulled the head and it had a piece about an inch long missing between 2 and 3.
Head gasket is on its way, My dad is picking it up for me and gonna bring it over.

With a bit of luck and no broken bolts I should have it all put back together for tomorow's perch derby.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Won't start after storage

Make sure you check the head and block for signs of erosion in the area of the blown gasket. Good luck.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Won't start after storage

Hopefully he is bringing you a MARINE head gasket.
Do not use automotive!
Happy for ya its an easy fix!!

 

[jedimaster]

Re: Won't start after storage

Block, head valves and oil all look good.
Every hear of a head gasket blowing like that over storage?

Yep they are bringing a marine.

Whats the torque settings and pattern?

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Won't start after storage

I'm sure some of the Merc guys can tell ya the torque settings for the head.
If this is a repeating problem it would be a good idea to have a machine shop check the head.It may need shaved a little..

 

[Don S]

Re: Won't start after storage

Blowing a head gasket is not something that is going to happen sitting in storage. I may have happend during winterization if it was fogged real heavy, dieseled or something. Hard to say.
Merc had problems with head gaskets on newer models with the EST electronic ignition. All they did to cure the problem was change the initial timing. So when you put yours back together, make sure you time it BY The Book and get it right. Also make sure the timing advance is working properly, and you have the proper spark plugs in it.

 

[jedimaster]

Re: Won't start after storage

Whats the by the book method? Plugs are good. It has a points ignitions. Never happened before that I know of. Will keep an eye on it.

 

[Don S]

Re: Won't start after storage

Sorry bout that, forgot my picture.