Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha One

[darktalonz]

I have just purchased a 1990 Raven boat with the Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha One engine/drive in it. The boat has been stored inside and has all of 12 hours on it and has sat for the last 16 years without being started. Long story short we did get the engine to start after putting in some fuel, priming the lines, and smacking the starter with a hammer. This is my first boat and I?m by no means an expert but it seems to be running a little rough. What should be done maintenance wise besides the usual change the spark plugs/all oils/fuel filter/air filter?

Any and all suggestions are welcome
Thank you
D

 

[CheapboatKev]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha One

Welcome aboard..

The first item I would go after is the impeller in the lower unit of the outdrive.
Sitting that long will deteriate the rubber..You can risk pieces of the impeller blades busting off, getting clogged in your water passages and basically over heat & toast your engine..


It's a fairly straightforward repair that doesnt involve in special tools and will give you a chance to grease up your spline and inspect the upper end

 

[atistang]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha One

You should probably rebuild the carb. If there was any gas left in it then your jets are probably gummed up. You might also look at the points to see if they need cleaned

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha One

In addition to the impeller/lowerunit gear oil change, I'd run a few bottles of fuel system cleaner through it to clean out the carb. Those carbs are pretty robust, shouldn't need to rebuild it. Cap and rotor while you are at it, and I'd think about replacing the starter if you had to smack it with a hammer.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha One

Long story short we did get the engine to start after putting in some fuel, priming the lines, and smacking the starter with a hammer.



This is my first boat ....D

Since this is your first boat, you may not know that you ALWAYS need to have water running to the outdrive via muffs whenever you crank or start the engine. Otherwise you will ruin the impeller.

As mentioned above, you need to replace it anyway due to the age. Hopefully you didn't run it without water....

 

[Simoniz]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha One

Since this is your first boat, you may not know that you ALWAYS need to have water running to the outdrive via muffs whenever you crank or start the engine. Otherwise you will ruin the impeller.

As mentioned above, you need to replace it anyway due to the age. Hopefully you didn't run it without water....

Doesn't matter.

If the boats been sitting for 16 years, the impellor blades will be so brittle and have taken a permanent set that Im surprised its pumping any water at all.

While I had the spanners out, Id give the three bellows on the outdrive a close looking at as well. I cant imagine they will not be perished after 16 years.

 

[Eric 3.7LX Alpha 1]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha One

Probably be a good idea to replace the bellows and lower shift cable.

I know car tires can't go 16 years without cracking sidewalls, surely the bellows must too.

also pull the drive off and inspect/grease the ujoints and gimbal bearing.

 

[darktalonz]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha One

Since this is your first boat, you may not know that you ALWAYS need to have water running to the outdrive via muffs whenever you crank or start the engine. Otherwise you will ruin the impeller.

As mentioned above, you need to replace it anyway due to the age. Hopefully you didn't run it without water....

I Know, and yes I did have the muffs on and water running through engine.

Thank you
d

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0L Alpha One

D as all the guys said above there are allot of items that sound like they should be good but due to the time in storage not being used it's like leaving something in the fridge forever it has to be replaced and or thrown away. Chsnge all the fluids, pulgs and wires, cap and rotor (points if not electronic) impellar for sure and if your not willing to pull the outdrive keep a close eye on al the bellows could be deteriated?, lube everything, clean and lube all electrical connections, check and clean the vent to you gas tank for sure (home for insects) But I would imagine most of all besides the impeller the carb will have to be rebuilt old gas has probably turned to crud in the orafices and jets for sure!!!!! Good luck and post back. Your in the right place for help.