1996 Wellcraft 1950SS eclipse 4.3 mercruiser engine help

[jjk1026]

I have a 1996 Wellcraft 1950SS eclipse with a 4.3 Mercruiser engine. I just bought it last week and it hasnt been ran since 2009 because the fella i bought it from was in the military and moved away. He says when he left the motor was running. Im afraid to fire it right up without changing out the gas, spark plugs, engine oil, gear oil, fuel filter. I was wondering what else should i look into replacing before i fire it up. Thank yall for the help.

 

[Oshkosh1]

Re: 1996 Wellcraft 1950SS eclipse 4.3 mercruiser engine help

Drain the tank, put new gas in it...
Check the plugs...no need replacing if they're good
Change the fluids(engine/drive)and filters...Cheap and peace of mind.
Pull the lower unit and change the impeller...then YOU know when it was done.
Give it a good "once over"...get an idea how it was cared for, clean it up so that if anything leaks you'll be able to tell. Take a variety of sockets/screwdrivers etc...check coolant hose clamps/fuel line/filter clamps etc...

 

[Bondo]

Re: 1996 Wellcraft 1950SS eclipse 4.3 mercruiser engine help

I have a 1996 Wellcraft 1950SS eclipse with a 4.3 Mercruiser engine. I just bought it last week and it hasnt been ran since 2009 because the fella i bought it from was in the military and moved away. He says when he left the motor was running. Im afraid to fire it right up without changing out the gas, spark plugs, engine oil, gear oil, fuel filter. I was wondering what else should i look into replacing before i fire it up. Thank yall for the help.

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Don't go Crazy,.... Be methodical...

Take the fuel filter off, dump it into a bowl, 'n inspect it's contents...
Install the new 1, 'n plumb in a 5 gallon can of fresh gas, with a piece of 3/8" gas line to the fuel filer...
Forget about the gas tank for awhile...

Check the motor's oil,... Right Level,..?? Too High, might be water under it... pump some out...
To low,..?? fill it to the mark...

Pull the drain plug on the drive, 'n look for Water....
If ya get Oil, make sure it's topped off, Full....

Charge the battery up, 'n spin it over 15 seconds a couple times, 'n see if she'll light....

Once ya know it Runs, 'n ain't got a cracked block,...
Then go through the fuel system, 'n tune up the motor....

Check out the Adults Only section at the top of the I/O forums for Lotsa Great info on yer motor, 'n drive...