First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

[laynesanders81]

I have a 95 Maxum w/3.0l Mercruiser. Got my trim fixed and all the oils changed. Decided to see if would start, and it won't. This is my first boat, so I would love some suggestions on things I need to check, because it won't start. :mad-new:

 

[Starcraft5834]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

BOAT= Break Out Another Thousand. take it to a marine shop if your mechanically inclinded, buy a service manual for your engine...

 

[bspeth]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

its fuel or spark.

 

[thumpar]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

Don't use the Seloc unless you need a cushion for your knees. Get the factory manual in the adults only sticky. How long did you try to start it? On my carbed 2.5l it would take forever but learned a trick. I would put a little fuel down the carb. Just a little fuel was enough running time to get the fuel system flowing. It is an easy thing to try.

 

[Bondo]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

I have a 95 Maxum w/3.0l Mercruiser. Got my trim fixed and all the oils changed. Decided to see if would start, and it won't. This is my first boat, so I would love some suggestions on things I need to check, because it won't start. :mad-new:

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... What Does it do,..??

Crank over, 'n Not fire off, or it just does Nothin',..??

What did you Check,..??

 

[dingdongs]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

assume the lanyard switch is in the run position at the shifter/throttle

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

Don't use the Seloc unless you need a cushion for your knees.

That seems to be the goto phrase from some on this site.
Seloc and other manuals are fine. In fact the ones I have are a direct photocopy of the factory manual with better pictures. I don't know how that makes them bad. I have never heard Bondo or any other knowledgeable person on here knocking them.
Dont be afraid to use Seloc and Clymer manuals, no matter what you read on here about them.

 

[Speakrdude]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

Great little engine. Should be a simple troubleshoot. I am very familiar with that year/model. Probably an 3.0LX.

 

[Maclin]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

I guess learn some basic terminology and then as Bond-o suggested describe what you do before hitting the key, during and after, and describe what the engine does do and noises it makes.

 

[laynesanders81]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

The lanyard switch is in the run position. That was the first thing I checked. The motor is turning over, just not firing. I did pump the throttle several times. Could it be that I just flooded it? It never did fire though. It is not making any unusual noise. Just the sound of a motor turning over, but not firing.

 

[thumpar]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

When you pumped the throttle did you have someone look in the carb so see if fuel was actually going in?

 

[180shabah]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

If there is no gas in the carb, pumping throttle does nothing...

 

[laynesanders81]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

I looked after I pumped the throttle, and it looked dry. BUT, I know next to nothing about carbs, so I am learning as I go. Gonna try pouring a little gas in the carb after I get off of work this afternoon, and maybe that will work.

 

[Speakrdude]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

Go to Harbor Freight and buy a spark indicator. $4.00.
Plugs in-line with a spark plug wire.
Unplug the center coil wire from the distributor and plug this in line.
This will tell you yes/no spark.
If yes, move on to the fuel/carb.

 

[thumpar]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

Or you could just pull a plug and place it on the block to test for spark at the actual plug. I would try the gas trick first. It is easy. Mine would always not start after sitting unless I either cranked on it for 30 minutes or put gas in the carb which fired it right up.

 

[laynesanders81]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

UPDATE!!!! Ok, I poured gas in the carb, and it fired right up. Had to do that a few times. Now I can get it to crank without pouring gas in the carb, but it will only run for 15 to 30 seconds before it dies. It will start right back up, but it keeps dying. Any suggestions on what the problem could be?

 

[laynesanders81]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

oh yeah, and if I give it any throttle, it dies immediately.

 

[Bondo]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

oh yeah, and if I give it any throttle, it dies immediately.

Ayuh,.... The Fuel system is fubared,... Start at the gas tank, 'n work yer way to the Carb,...

 

[saltybutwet]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

it sounds like a fuel issue for sure, now you have to troubleshoot the fuel system, as Bondo said. I would also check the needle/seat in the carb, it could be stuck closed, not allowing fuel flow into the bowl

 

[laynesanders81]

Re: First Start of Spring... DIDN'T START!!!!!!

So, we are talking about the lines, the fuel pump, the carb? The whole works?