HELP WITH MERCRUISER ENGINE

[BoatBabe81]

Hi all, I just got the decking and upholstery done in the boat....UNFORTUNATELY my husband took it on the lake today and had to be towed back in.<br /><br />He said that it ran good for about 500 feet and he had it going about 25-30 mph. Then he estimated that the engine overheater( because of a water pump something not working) and he heard a bunch of popping. He then tried to start it again and the boat started but didn't go very fast. I hope he hasnt blown the engine but can u all help at all?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Dunaruna]

Re: HELP WITH MERCRUISER ENGINE

Hi BoatBabe81, welcome to i-boats!!<br /><br />Let's start with some details. Year, type of motor. Fresh or raw cooled, as much info as possible. Any recent mechanical work done on the engine or outdrive? Maybe include a brief history.<br /><br />Aldo

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: HELP WITH MERCRUISER ENGINE

Sounds like water in your gas, check your water separator. Engine model and year would be real helpful. Pull the spark plugs and look for water in your cylinders, you might have a bad ehaust manifold.

 

[BoatBabe81]

Re: HELP WITH MERCRUISER ENGINE

I dont have many details at all. I know it is a 1990 Mercruiser Engine 130 HP. We just got the boat and my husband drained all the old gas and refilled the tank. The boat had not been in the water since summer of 2004. Boat didnt run because of electrical problems with coils and such and we had that fixed. It ran fine with the hose hooked up to it. Not really sure what to look for and neither does my husband. Thanks for your input.

 

[BoatBabe81]

Re: HELP WITH MERCRUISER ENGINE

Would it be easier just to take it to someone to have it checked out instead of trying to do it myself? (And dont say yes just because Im a girl)

 

[vipzach]

Re: HELP WITH MERCRUISER ENGINE

Did the motor overheat? How does the oil look now? Outdrive oil? Have you checked for moisture in the gas still, maybe all it wasn't pumped out.<br /> And yes, it would be easier to take it to someone, but what fun would that be?

 

[jeff13601]

Re: HELP WITH MERCRUISER ENGINE

You should probably first do a compression test.

 

[vipzach]

Re: HELP WITH MERCRUISER ENGINE

Try pulling the plugs also, and see if they are wet.

 

[BoatBabe81]

Re: HELP WITH MERCRUISER ENGINE

Oil looks fine, but where is the exhaust manifold and could it make the engine overheat? Also, where is the water separater. Any information you can give me could be helpful, even a diagram. Thanks.

 

[jeff13601]

Re: HELP WITH MERCRUISER ENGINE

If you have a west marine or merc dealer nearby you should get a manual. It usually pays itself off pretty quick

 

[Don S]

Re: HELP WITH MERCRUISER ENGINE

Here is the online Mercruiser manual for the 3.0L 135hp 4 cylinder engine.<br />It has all the information to locate and repair your engine problems.<br /><br /> Merc Service Manual #13 <br /><br />Plus, here is one for the outdrive for a 1990 Alpha I drive. It includes information on the raw water pump.<br /><br /> Merc Service Manual #6

 

[HSBarker81]

Re: HELP WITH MERCRUISER ENGINE

Why is it that i can list a problem like this and get barely any help, but a girl of my age can list one and everyone jumps to help out????

 

[olbuddyjack]

Re: HELP WITH MERCRUISER ENGINE

Well Duh!, You cant figure that out?<br />Women need us more than you! <br />

....UNFORTUNATELY my husband took it on the lake today and had to be towed back in.<br />

Was that you?

 

[austin123]

Re: HELP WITH MERCRUISER ENGINE

Originally posted by BoatBabe81:<br /> and he heard a bunch of popping. He then tried to start it again and the boat started but didn't go very fast. Thanks

I lost an engine freeze plug a few weeks ago and had no cooling water going back out of the exhaust. This caused the rubber exhaust clamps to overheat and make a 'popping noise' as the rubber melted. Do your clamps look like they got hot? Did the motor actually overheat? If it did you may have a bad raw water pump in the outdrive. Did you make sure you ran water into the foot at all times when you were running it out of the water? Just in case you don't know, it only takes a few seconds to destroy the pump impellor if it is run dry.<br />Let us know what you find.

 

[vipzach]

Re: HELP WITH MERCRUISER ENGINE

Originally posted by BoatBabe81:<br /> Oil looks fine, but where is the exhaust manifold and could it make the engine overheat? Also, where is the water separater. Any information you can give me could be helpful, even a diagram. Thanks.

The manifold is on the prot side of the boat(opposite the drivers side). The intake and exhaust are one manifold. The engine could over heat if there is blockage in there. The water seperator will look like an oil filter, usually inline before the fuel pump.

 

[BoatBabe81]

Re: HELP WITH MERCRUISER ENGINE

Okie dokie people. Let's see! Just wanted to let everyone know that I told my husband that I wanted a manual and some tools to work on the engine and he looked at me like I was insane.<br /><br />Took it to a place to get it fixed. Still not sure what was wrong with it but they think it is the water pump. Oh and to answer your question, Brit Man, the water was on the entire time the boat was running out of the water. My husband would die and extrememly slow and painful death if that were not the case. <br /><br />After I get it fixed, I'll let u all know, and I plan on working on it MYSELF from now on. Thanks for all your help.

 

[Olli K]

Re: HELP WITH MERCRUISER ENGINE

offtopic:<br />Don S <br />Is there merc manual about 3.7 -87<br /><br />Thanx Don, You dont know how much help you have already given to me. Olli