2005 Stingray with 4.3 Mercruiser out of long storage

[jbourne210]

Just found this forum, and damn, there's a ton of good information here!

So, I'm picking up a 2005 Stringray 195 LR from my brother in law that's been in storage for about 3 years. Hasn't been run or even started during that time. He's been traveling for work, and doesn't have time for it. I've been assured that the boat was winterized prior to storage, and that it ran perfectly prior to storage. Fuel injected, with about 60 hours on motor. All factory serviced. Things I'll be looking into prior to startup:
1. Replace plugs (spray fogging/engine oil into cylinders, and let sit for a day or so?)
2. Engine oil and filter, replace
3. Lower unit oil, replace
4. Drain old fuel, replace
5. Impeller, replace
6. Serpentine Belt, inspect and replace
7. Clean fuel rail/injectors Any recommendations here?
8. Attempt to charge battery, replace if necessary.

Once complete, I'm planning on running it up to the local boat shop, and having them read any codes off the engine (unless I can do it myself, still looking into that)

Any other items I should look into? Or recommendations on how to clean fuel system? I don't know that the system is varnished/gummed up yet, just want to be proactive.

Thanks in advance for any help!

 

[kmarine]

I like to add fuel injection cleaner about $25% into the new fuel filter. I recommend a brand new battery because of the computer in an efi engine. if the old battery tests good use it as a spare. I use startron myself. get a couple of spare fuel filters and be prepared to change them. wait on new plugs until after a few tanks of new gas. I like to blend the old filtered gas with new fuel in my truck for disposal I use a water separating fuel filter first, You are on target with oil replacement and impeller.

 

[Rick Stephens]

↑ Fully agree with kmarine. Skip the plug change - 60 hours is nothin. I bet on inspection the belt is still 100%. Nothing wrong with a squirt of engine oil into each plug hole. Drain the fuel is priority one. Get it all out, don't try and treat it in place or you'll end up working on your injection for the next 2 years. Get a new battery, serious pain in the butt walking back when it runs out of juice.

I like your questions on cleaning the fuel system. I don't know enough about your injection system to know where you can connect to ports and pump cleaner through. If it's like my 2006 8.1L you can attach a cleaning kit with a tank and draw the system direct off a bottle of fuel injector cleaner. Not sure if that is necessary, but sure would be nice to get the old fuel out of the injector lines while getting them clean. I would probably start by pulling the fuel filter and pouring contents into a glass jar to inspect. Then move on to cleaning the whole system if necessary.

Enjoy. Stingray's a nice barge.

 

[Bondo]

Once complete,

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,.... Rather than worryin' 'bout codes,... At that point, I'd slap the muffs on it, 'n give it a try,.....

I'd probably jumper the slave solenoid to roll the motor over 30 seconds or so, without ignition or fuel,....
Then hit the key, 'n Light her off,...
Hopefully, it'll start, 'n sit there purrin' for ya,....

With any luck, whoever winterized it, doped up the fuel system, 'n ya won't need to tear it apart, 'n clean it,...

 

[jbourne210]

'Preciate all the comments. Been damn busy with work, and haven't been on for a while. Here's an update:

Finally got some time to go pick her up. Wow, she looked bad. Tons of lichen (those little algae blooms) everywhere, the covers and floors were covered with black algae, but the vinyl looked surprisingly in good shape. The engine however, looked pristine. No rust, corrosion, nothing. Renegotiated the deal, and brought her home. The wife and I got busy working on the appearance, then I left her on that while I went to work on the mechanical. As mentioned previously, I opened up all the cylinders, and sprayed a bit of oil in there, just in case. Drained the lower unit, replaced the impeller, and filled it back up again. The oil out of the lower looked brand new. Same for the engine oil. Perfect. Stunned, because I found out the boat has actually been sitting for 5.5 years. Only issue in the engine compartment is the blower duct work was tore up by rodents or whatever. Drained the fuel tank, added some Mercury cleaner stuff to the tank, and put 10 gallons in her. Replaced the battery, and I figured, what the hell. Hooked up the ears, turned the water on for a bit, and turned the key. She fired right up, and just sat there. Idling perfectly at 600 rpm. I about pissed myself, she ran so nice. Couldn't be more pleased with it. Took her up to 140 degrees, just enough to get her warm enough for an oil change. Changed the oil out, and tried to get the fuel/water separator out. No dice. Felt I was going to destroy the mount if I kept at it. So I'll be conquering that tomorrow.

Long story short, I'm damned please thus far. I'll be posting some before/after shots (or video) soon. Oh, and I don't know how accurate it is, but the digital readout says 42 hours on her. Don't know how accurate that is???

Thanks again!

PS - Found 4 baby squirrels in one of the compartments. Wife and neighborhood kids went bananas until we found a shelter that takes those little guys.

 

[Rick Stephens]

That's GREAT!

Post your pictures. Can't wait to see em.

Rick

 

[jbourne210]

I'll be posting something soon Rick! lol Update:
Changed the oil. Used the remote drain hose (not sure if that's what it;s called) Anyway, damn, you better not be in a hurry, because that takes forever! Well, I was being a bit impatient, so it probably seemed longer. I'll probably use a pump next time.

Also, got that stubborn fuel/water separator out. Ended up wrapping a length of chain around it, shoving a screwdriver through two of the links, twisting, and applying a constant strong pressure. Took a while, but she came off!

So, while my better half works on the cosmetics, I continue to tinker, evaluate, and replace.

Thinking I might put her in the lake tomorrow, and putz around the marina, just to make sure she's sound.

Still have quite a bit of oxidation to get through, and a fair amount of detailing, but it's been fun thus far. The wife is making a little video, documenting some of our progress. I'll post soon!

Cheers!

 

[jbourne210]

Here's another update:
So, the polishing/renewing of the exterior continues. When I'm not tinkering with the drive system, I grab my better half, and we polish. And polish, and polish. lol Anyway that's coming around nicely. Still have quite a bit to do, but it's getting there!
Took her out to the lake the other day, and while it was a success (IE, we didn't break down or sink), it was a blustery, wave filled type of day. The motor ran flawlessly, and I took her up on plane a few times. I felt a bit of vibration through the throttle, and decided to take a closer look at the prop. Decided it was time to have that one refurbished (for back up), and pick up a new one. Took her out again this morning, and put her through her paces. The conditions, while not perfect, were a damn site better than the first outing with her (haven't figure out her name yet...). The vibration was gone. A few other things noted:
1. She died a few times when shifting out of gear. I think this is actually operator error. I'm shifting in and out of gear too slowly. With the engine interrupt (not sure of the right verbiage) in place, I could be doing this to myself by moving the gear shift/throttle too slowly.
2. Porpoising is evidently an issue with the Stingray. Of course, I didn't even think about it, but I had the anchor, my tool chest, and all of the gear stowed near the stern. If I came out of full down trim in the slightest, she would porpoise. I'll be moving things around, and giving it another go. If that doesn't achieve the desired results, I'll look into trim tabs.

Other than that, I couldn't be happier! She's like a Cadillac in how quiet, and how smooth the power comes on. I'm loving this refurbish!

Oh, and while I don't have any pics per se, I'll attach a link to a video that my wife put together showing some of our progress!

Thanks again for all y'alls help, and happy boating!

Here's the vid!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf59VtgPqWo

 

[Rick Stephens]

Yeah Baby! That is AWESOME!! (ain't buffing fun he he)

Most likely the reason for the engine dying is the lower shift cable is sticking. The shift interrupt that kills the ignition to allow the gears to unload kicks in too long and kills your motor. Lots and lots of stuff written in the Adults Only section and all over the forums. Replacing the lower cable is usually the fix.

Congrats. How much fun is THAT. Wow.

Rick

 

[Lou C]

Looks great!
Sounded great out in the water!

 

[89retta]

Looks and runs good. As for a name how about Squirrely

 

[jbourne210]

Thanks for the compliments y'all! It's been a blast putting this girl back together again. Still have some good elbow grease burning buffing to do, but we're getting there! And love the idea of Squirley! Going to have to let my wife see that!

@ Rick - Yeah, I was thinking along those lines as well. Going to need to get in there and take a look see. It hasn't been a big deal in the water, but I'd rather fix it on land then on the water.