Marine Boat Engine

I have never had any issues in the past, but recently I had a situation where the engine stalled out upon engaging the engine. This happened 3 straight times before I decided to let the engine run a while before then engaging it. It worked fine after that, but wasn't certain what the cause was at that point. Should I be concerned?

You didn't tell us what type of Merc you have so it's not an easy answer to give. You could have had dirt in the carb that choked it out until it blew thru, a fuel pump that is beginning to go bad, dirt in your fuel tank that got picked up, a clogged gas/water separator, etc.

If it happens again it is recommended that you have a mechanic look at it quickly. The reason could be a simple fix or much more detailed and expensive.

Good luck.

2009-06-16 05:01:08 by Jason

How to test an engine while on a cherry picker....ghetto but hey it worked! My ebay special fired right up, be in the water in no time :)

I've never really been a boat owner, other than some '60's fiberglass derelict at one time, with no title. Anyway, looking at a friend's boat that could have either a Force or Mercruiser engine. Which is better, has less problems, etc.? Probably late '80's or very early '90's engine. I don't know much about the Force, I'd never heard of it before yesterday, I've heard of many other brands, but that one is new to me. Ease of repair, parts locating, etc. advice sought for both Force or Mercruiser in Bayliner Capri.

Force engine company was taken over by Merc years ago. They do not have a good reputation on the water, and I don't believe that they are still produced making it tougher to get parts etc. Merc on the other hand has been around a long time and will be around much longer. They make a good engine and parts are available all over. Go with Merc.

2007-08-30 16:45:12 by gremlingts

Price: $24.99 $15.99

Tinned copper contacts
Fuse block
Use with ATO or ATC fuses

The problem im having is when I start the engine I have to push the throttle foward to give it more gas to run, after it runs for a while I pull the throttle back and it stalls.. Its like the carb is not getting any gas to the carb.It wont hit at all ..

Clean the carb, when an engine will run but not idle it is mostly a carb issue, it gets fuel otherwise it would die while reving up. A stuck or leak float can couse the carb to over flood and so making the mix to rich, or a leaking powervalve (if you have one) in the primary metering block also make the engine run to rich at idle or the idle screws setting is way of.
Can you have the engine to idle with the throttle (not all the way back)?
Try the fast idle screw first, thats the one that stops the throttle link on the carb, turn it clockwise to increase idle rpm.

Frank

2008-06-02 08:05:15 by John d cose

Standard motor flushers for in season and post season maintenance
Dual Flow

I intend to rebuild a in line six cylinder diesel with mechanical fuel injection. Rather than paying that ridicules price for a new one. And its intended for marine purpose. But the only difference I know is that the exhaust manifold has water running threw it so the boat/engine doesn't burn up.

Is their any thing else that takes to make a marine engine ?
It is intended that the engine will be inhaling both fresh and salt water. From time to time.

marine grade starter may be needed, but as a diesel I'm not sure, check with the coast guard, sparks from starter in a gasoline engine in bilge BAD. obviously you wont be needing marine grade ignition sys. and I'd replace all exterior nut's and bolts with stainless steel to save myself some headaches down the road,

2009-01-13 12:21:23 by Shade tree

I am putting my boat and car up for storage for the next 8 months. I can buy ethanol free gas for my 5 liter boat engine, but I can only buy E-10 gas at the pump for my car. I have heard E-10 will not affect an auto engine, deteriorating rubber gasket or seal components, but I hear it eats at the seals and gaskets in a marine engine. What is the truth?

Hi Jim

My answer will be between Mark and Jim.
My son takes a lot of these trips, and as such after 5 years of it, we have gotten a pretty good routine.
A. put a little gas stabilizer in the tank and drive it around before parking, same for the boat. When you park the car and the boat, pull the batteries on both or at least one terminal. The car is probably more important than the boat, the alarm system will discharge the battery and keep it that way which will kill the car battery in 6 months or less. I can't say for the boat, but I would disconnect it anyway, and don't forget the trolling battery.
As far as tires, I have not seen a problem and my son's truck has been sitting in the pasture for the bulk of the 5 years except when he is home on vacation, and I drive that one once a month or every couple of months, his car is in a storage shed and as such, never gets driven between visits. The car has the terminal pulled, the pickup does not, and if I don't drive the pickup every so often the battery dies. If I leave it to much longer than that, I wind up buying him a new battery.
Do not set your brakes, they can and will rust to the drums or disks, and are very difficult to get loose. Park is ok on an automatic or in gear in a manual.
When you get back and start the vehicle, let it idle for about 10 minutes, DO NOT accelerate until this period is over, oil needs to get recirculated in the engine as it has all ran off, if you give it the gas, you can pit the shafts, journals and cause the valves to seize. Also on an automatic transmission will need time to get fluid and pressure to the disks and bearings. In a manual, let the clutch out in neutral so lubricant can get worked around. Do not go on the freeway until you have a couple miles in city driving to get the bearings lubed.
Now for the boat, if it is efi your pretty much ahead of the game, if not, add a can of Sea Foam to the tank at the mix value given, it will help clean out any varnish that may have formed. Although if you put in a stabilizer it should limit that.
For the most part, 8 months is not that long of a storage period if you follow what I said, my son's have been put up as long as a year without harm, all 3 vehicles still run like new. A lot of that has to do with how we bring them up when he comes home.

As far as the E10, I do not think it will be an issue, as we get that stuff here also. On my boat, I make my last fill of the season just before the gas changes, and that will usually last me until spring when the gas changes back or nearly. Both of my sons cars are fairly new, and as such are made to work with ethanol. Methanol was the one that affected warranty. I have a new Merc outboard, 2008 and do not think there would be a problem with it, my sons is a 2007 and I do not see that there is applicable difference between them.

Good luck on your trip and hope you make it home safe.

2009-04-19 05:55:37 by Jim Z