Mercrusier 3.0 has been sitting inside for 6 years!

Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
8
ENGINE: 1993 Mercrusier 3.0 Alpha One. SN- O=0F137569

I got this boat for free it has been in the family it still is in perfect shape the only problem is it has been sitting for the last 6 years or so. Im kinda new to the boating thing but handy with engines. Im not sure what else I need to do or should do for that matter. I have already taken the engine out and rebuilt it (I have the means didnt cost me anything) Now that i have the engine back in the boat im not sure what to look for? What fluids do i change besides the oil? What are some good steps to take from here before i go in the water? Testing the blower, seals, any rubber gaskets, pumps, ect..? im not to sure im kinda lost at this point.
 

TyeeMan

Master Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Feb 27, 2006
Messages
849
Re: Mercrusier 3.O has been sitting inside for 6 years!

Re: Mercrusier 3.O has been sitting inside for 6 years!

Being that you had the engine out and now in, did you do an engine alignment? Aside from that, change your lower unit oil, you might even change your tilt/trim oil, did you check your bellows for cracks? How bout the water pump impeller, now that you have a fresh motor I'd hate to see you smoke the motor cuz you didn't do an easy water pump job.
 
Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
8
Re: Mercrusier 3.O has been sitting inside for 6 years!

Re: Mercrusier 3.O has been sitting inside for 6 years!

Being that you had the engine out and now in, did you do an engine alignment? Aside from that, change your lower unit oil, you might even change your tilt/trim oil, did you check your bellows for cracks? How bout the water pump impeller, now that you have a fresh motor I'd hate to see you smoke the motor cuz you didn't do an easy water pump job.

I had planned on changeing the water impeller, How do i tell if its bad? I have not changed all the fluids yet but I will be doing that this weekend. And as far as the bellows go can i pull that off and check it out or is that like a gasket and when you pull it off you need to change it?
 

Fishermark

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Messages
5,627
Re: Mercrusier 3.O has been sitting inside for 6 years!

Re: Mercrusier 3.O has been sitting inside for 6 years!

I had planned on changeing the water impeller, How do i tell if its bad?

By knowing it has sat unused for six years. ;) Definitely bad and needs to be replaced.

Did you pull the outdrive off when you pulled and replaced the engine?
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Mercrusier 3.O has been sitting inside for 6 years!

Re: Mercrusier 3.O has been sitting inside for 6 years!

I had planned on changeing the water impeller, How do i tell if its bad?
It's 6 years old at least, it's bad............ replace it.

View attachment A1G2 Impeller Replace.pdf

Here is the service manual for your drive, you are going to need it. http://www.4shared.com/office/L17_ufPa/06__Drives_R-A1_83-90.html?

After 6+ years, a new ujoint bellows and shift cable bellows is a must have as well.

As asked before, did you check the alignment and grease the splines on the coupler?

You will also need to drain the fuel tank and clean it. Also install a water separating fuel filter and install it, or you will be getting all kinds of stuff from the tank into your fuel system on the engine. Did you rebuild the carb?

As far as the rest of the systems on the boat, run the boat on muffs, check the shifting and steering to make sure they work. If the engine dies when you shift you may need a new lower shift cable.

Turn on all your switchs and see if things work. Does the bilge pump run? Does the blower run, do the lights work? Check all systems and make sure they work.
 
Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
8
Re: Mercrusier 3.O has been sitting inside for 6 years!

Re: Mercrusier 3.O has been sitting inside for 6 years!

Hahaha thanks guys. I am out of town now this weekend I will be trying to finish the boat I will make sure i replace that. And yes the carb was rebuilt. I did not pull the drive should I?
 

Don S

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Aug 31, 2004
Messages
62,321
Re: Mercrusier 3.O has been sitting inside for 6 years!

Re: Mercrusier 3.O has been sitting inside for 6 years!

I did not pull the drive should I?

Absolutely. The engine should have never been installed with the drive on the boat.
 
Joined
Jun 14, 2012
Messages
8
Re: Mercrusier 3.O has been sitting inside for 6 years!

Re: Mercrusier 3.O has been sitting inside for 6 years!

Oh dang! I guess i got lucky. I am not sure what fluids I need could any one provide a list? And where the go? I know I need 10w30 and quicksilver gear lube but im not sure about any other fluids such as that of the tilt/trim or the drive ect..
 

Fishermark

Vice Admiral
Joined
Oct 19, 2003
Messages
5,627
Re: Mercrusier 3.O has been sitting inside for 6 years!

Re: Mercrusier 3.O has been sitting inside for 6 years!

Oh dang! I guess i got lucky.

It isn't terribly difficult nor lucky that the engine can be installed with the outdrive in place. If there is room, it will pull out and can be put back in fairly easily. BUT...

You need to pull the outdrive to align the engine - or at least check the alignment. Pulling the outdrive isn't hard - all of five minutes if you take your time. As mentioned above, a lot of maintenance items can be checked and done with the outdrive off.


I know I need 10w30 and quicksilver gear lube but im not sure about any other fluids such as that of the tilt/trim or the drive ect..

And what do you need the 10W30 for? The engine? You might want to do a search of "oil threads" and you will see a host of opinions as to what oil to use. Here's the latest (I think) from Mercruiser:

2009-10-03_042324_engineoilrecommendation.jpg
 
Top