Mercruiser 888 wont start?

New to Iboats so hello

I just bought a 1974 Cobalt 18' with a Mercruiser 888 engine. I cant get it started, I bought a new starter, new carb and it has a brand new solinoid. I think i most likely need a new fuel pump BUT when i try to start it, it trys to turn over but not quite but i think the main reason is because of no fuel to the carb. I took the fuel pump apart and cleaned it all out to no avail, the problem i am having is the is no gas going up to the carb the tube that brings it there is bone dry, I put about 5 gallons of gas in the tank, Should i put more? But when i take the rubber tube off and put gas into a glass the it pulls it up no problem, is there possibly a problem with the tank or possibly just not enough fuel?

Sorry i know thats not the best desciption

Thanks guys in advance

Re: Mercruiser 888 wont start?

I took the fuel pump apart and cleaned it all out to no avail, the problem i am having is the is no gas going up to the carb the tube that brings it there is bone dry

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when i take the rubber tube off and put gas into a glass the it pulls it up no problem,

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sounds like ya did the proper test to me. using a remote fuel tank (glass jar filled with fuel). at this point i would assume a restriction prior to the fuel pump. crap in the fuel tank maybe, anti siphon valve is so equipped. maybe a air leak in the fuel line. anything prior to the fuel pump is suspect. this could be a good read for you. http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=283269

Re: Mercruiser 888 wont start?

Can we assume you have checked for spark and it will jump a 3/8 to 1/2" gap with a bright blue spark?

Re: Mercruiser 888 wont start?

If there is no gas getting to it then its not going into the carb it wouldnt start anyway so i think getting gasoline to it would be best first right? I just bought a primer bulb so ill see a little later if that helps get the gas flowin

Re: Mercruiser 888 wont start?

so i think getting gasoline to it would be best first right?

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while this is true i'd think. i also agree w/Don S. imho. ya gotta be sure electric is right and proper first before assuming fuel issues. ya gotta have fire (the bright blue spark that jumps 3/8-1/2'' Don S is talking about), at the right time for it to work too.
as for the primer bulb. i wouldn't think that's gonna do ya. i/o's don't have primer bulbs. the way i'm reading this is. you were successful in starting on a glass full of fuel being sucked out of the glass by the fuel pump. ya put the in (going into the fuel pump) hose into the glass and it sucked the fuel out of the glass. to me that indicates some kind of restriction or air leak prior to the fuel pump. i'm not the pro though, just joe boater. Don S is a marine tech. his opinion is way out there ahead of mine....

Re: Mercruiser 888 wont start?

1974cobalt said:

the problem i am having is the is no gas going up to the carb the tube that brings it there is bone dry,

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Which "tube" is bone dry?

There should be a clear plastic tube that goes to the carb. It is supposed to be dry. If there is gas in there, you have a problem with the pump. The main fuel line will probably be a metal line - although it could be a rubber line. But not a "tube."

Re: Mercruiser 888 wont start?

Its the metal line sorry for the confusion

Re: Mercruiser 888 wont start?

Ayuh,... Forget about the tank, 'n plumb a line from a gascan to the fuelpump, 'n see if it'll pump...

If it don't, replace it...

Re: Mercruiser 888 wont start?

I have a 1973 19 ft Searay with 302/888 outdrive, good combination when the world is right. LOL. I have had that same problem and through the process of elimination I found a cracked fuel line at the tank fitting. So you just might want to check the fuel line all the way to the tank.

Re: Mercruiser 888 wont start?

SO i put a hand pump on the fuel line and with the pressure from that it is working great now so now i just need to do the timing and other things to get it started i think, but im pretty sure one of the main problems was it was not getting any fuel so thats good

Re: Mercruiser 888 wont start?

1974cobalt said:

SO i put a hand pump on the fuel line and with the pressure from that it is working great now

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Do you mean a primer bulb like you see on an outboard? If so, you definitely have problems. You do not need a primer bulb and it is dangerous to keep one in use.

Re: Mercruiser 888 wont start?

Ooops, Why would a primer bulb be a problem?

Re: Mercruiser 888 wont start?

Two things:

1. It is a safety issue. When dealing with enclosed spaces, there are some very specific rules as to what kind of fuel lines and hoses you can use. You need to use type A-1 rubber hose whenver you have a rubber line in an enclosed space. (There are some exceptions - but that is the basic and easy to remember rule). A primer bulb doesn't meet the criteria for fire and leakage rules.

2. You don't need one on an I/O. If you do, then you have other problems that you need to find and fix. Did you try bypassing the fuel tank completely like Bond-o suggested? An easy way to do that is to get an portable plastic outboard fuel tank and try it. Don't use it as a permanent fix - it is for diagnostic purposes only.