89 Mercruiser 4.3L - off season maintenance

[v1_0]

Hello,

I bought the used boat (1989 21' Galaxy with a 4.3L Mercruiser, Alpha drive) just a few weeks ago. I have no maintenance records from the previous owner, so I don't know what was done.

There also doesn't seem to be an hour gage in any obvious spot, so I can't say how many hours were put on the motor.

I checked a few things: oil levels, etc., replaced the starter (previous post in this forum), battery, adjusted the reverse shift (another post), and put it on the water. It runs well but has a few quirks (yup - there is a post with that too) which I will need to take care of.

What I'd like to know is a general list of things - above and beyond the normal 'check these items at 100 hrs, these every season, etc.' that are likely to fail.

So far I am gearing up to do the following:

• All the recommended standard maintenance checks and services.
• Clean and/or Rebuild the Carb
• Replace the impeller (known issue)
• Tune up (replace wires, cap, rotor)
• Install water seperating feul filter (doesn't have one :0)
• Align engine.

I'd like to keep costs low, but I'd like less to be stuck in the middle of a lake or river - so if there's a high probability (based on engine, age, etc) that something will fail soon, I'd consider replacing it.

Thanks,
-V

 

[180shabah]

Re: 89 Mercruiser 4.3L - off season maintenance

I would add two more things to the inspect/replace list

Drive bellows
Exhaust manifolds/elbows

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 89 Mercruiser 4.3L - off season maintenance

You should also check for rust on the oil pan and timing cover. Especially if the boat was used in salt water. Check hoses for wear and softness, check spark plugs for color. Check the belts for wear. Change the oil and filter if ithe oil does not look new. Use an approved oil (either straight SAE-30 or Quicksilver 25-40). Replace the fuel filter on the top of the fuel pump, and the one in the carb fuel inlet. Now add the seperator. Pull the fuel pickup in the tank and clean the anti-siphion valve and filter. How old is the residual gasoline? You might want to add some fuel stabilizer, althought it may be a bit too late.

 

[v1_0]

Re: 89 Mercruiser 4.3L - off season maintenance

"You should also check for rust on the oil pan and timing cover"

Well, the flywheel cover was rusted out in a couple of places and needs replacement. I'll check the oil pan & timing cover.

I'll replace the bellows - might as well do the lower shift cable, and anything else that goes that way.

Being that I'm in VA, looks like I can get out on the water a few more times - perhaps until mid-Oct - so I'll start putting stabil in the tank, don't think it's too late.

What is the 'Anti-Siphon' valve? I'm guessing, by the name, it's to keep gas from going into the carb when the engine isn't running. (Either that, or it's to keep people from stealing your gas out of the tank...) Is it at the bottom of the fuel pickup? (Looks to be from your post). How would I get at the pickup?

Thanks,
-V

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 89 Mercruiser 4.3L - off season maintenance

The antisiphon valve keeps fuel from running into the bilge via siphon action, if the fuel line leaks. It is located on the fuel pickup in the gas tank, sometimes inside the elbow. You normally need to remove the fuel line and unscrew the fuel pickup tube to get to it. it may be between the fuel line and the elbow as well.

 

[Bondo]

Re: 89 Mercruiser 4.3L - off season maintenance

What I'd like to know is a general list of things - above and beyond the normal 'check these items at 100 hrs, these every season, etc.' that are likely to fail.

Ayuh,..........

Between This Thread,+ This Thread,..........

Just about Anything that Needs Looking at is mentioned.........
That's just in the 1st post of the thread mind you................

 

[v1_0]

Re: 89 Mercruiser 4.3L - off season maintenance

Bond-o,

To rephrase my question... With cars it used to be that you could almost count on replacing things at about 70K - starter, alternator, that sort of thing. Things have certainly gotten better...


It is my understanding that fuel pumps, alternaters, etc -each are built in batches using a similar manufacturing process, parts, etc. It follows that each item in the batch will fail at a similar point. I understand that in reality there are enough differences so that the ocasional "200K" car with no major work occurs, as well as the rare "it blew up at the end of the factory" type car. However, the bulk of the items should fail at about the same "point", bearing in mind "point" is a combination of time and use.

So, to get to the point (question): Based on your experience with other Mercruiser 4.3L engines... What things should I expect to fail soon based on the age of the engine? (That are not checked/replaced during the standard PMCS that occur during winterization...)

Thanks,
-V