Mercrusier 4.3-1993 coil

[nola mike]

I'm pretty sure i have spark or at least most of the time , since it starts back up. just now and then it wont.

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Well, you know you have spark when it runs. It's when it doesn't that we're concerned. Next time it isn't starting is when you want to use your spark tester. Gas shooting into the carb is from the accelerator pump--that should allow it to start (at least briefly), but doesn't tell you if you have a fuel delivery/quality problem once running. If it's running initially, your timing is at least good enough to run. Running with no load on muffs doesn't test anything. What did you find when you changed the water/fuel separator? That initial 1/2 tank might have had enough crud/water in it to gum up your carb...

 

[kulle]

Bondo, I was hoping he was doing this:

This is exactly what I am doing.

 

[kulle]

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Well, you know you have spark when it runs. It's when it doesn't that we're concerned. Next time it isn't starting is when you want to use your spark tester. Gas shooting into the carb is from the accelerator pump--that should allow it to start (at least briefly), but doesn't tell you if you have a fuel delivery/quality problem once running. If it's running initially, your timing is at least good enough to run. Running with no load on muffs doesn't test anything. What did you find when you changed the water/fuel separator? That initial 1/2 tank might have had enough crud/water in it to gum up your carb...

The separator was changed when the mechanic had it initially. He said he did a fuel test and said there was a small amount of water, but nothing he thought to be concerned. He ended up replacing the oil presser switch, which I was going to, but ended up paying a mechanic to hopefully fix it so i wouldnt be doing this all season. But @ $95/hr i'm not rockafeller, so I am doing what I can myself..like most here.