Mercury 3.0 I/0 Bayliner 1990 runs then dies.

[chowda633]

Just bought my first boat! Actually traded a quad for it lol. Here is the situation at this point.

Its the inline 4. Carb was "tuned" last year according to last owner. Drove it once about 6 hours ran perfect he said. They winterized it by pulling the coolant lines off and that's it. It sat for 5-7 months. Everything worked he said.

I got working on it today. Using the "ears" filled it up with a mix of 87 and 93. Oil looks clean. Switched the spark plugs. Cap looks new, wires are ok. Fired her up and she runs for about 10 seconds then shuts off. Started it using a bit of starter fluid in the carb but it is getting fuel I can see it dripping in.

narrowed it down to a dirty carb? I don't know anything about carbs I am a fuel injected guy. When I pulled the old plugs after trying to run it a bunch of times the plugs where fuel SOAKED pretty badly. They needed a change too. Friend mentioned the float might be sticking.

Any ideas help or info would be greatly appreciated! I don't have a clue about boats its my first one.

 

[NHGuy]

Re: Mercury 3.0 I/0 Bayliner 1990 runs then dies.

If you don't have spark it could be the shift cutout switch. This will shut down the ignition system. Read the shifter adjustment sticky at the top of the forum. Might be that.

 

[chowda633]

Re: Mercury 3.0 I/0 Bayliner 1990 runs then dies.

Great article there I don't this this is it because it runs for varying amounts of time 2-15 seconds. It sometimes has a hard time starting up. And backfires through the carb also.

 

[tek4boats]

Re: Mercury 3.0 I/0 Bayliner 1990 runs then dies.

We usually keep giving it puffs of starter fliud just to see if it will stay running (be careful). If the starting fluid can keep it running, the problem is not enough fuel is getting into the cylinder (maybe a stuck float like your friend suggested). If the starting fluid can't keep it running, it might be too much fuel getting into the cylinder (also, maybe a stuck float).

You might try a liberal amount of carb cleaner sprayed into the carb throat and into the fuel line connection point. The carb should be removed and cleaned however. It isn't very difficult, just be careful with the small parts.

Hope this helps.

 

[chowda633]

Re: Mercury 3.0 I/0 Bayliner 1990 runs then dies.

Thank you tek, UPDATE: Just received a call from my buddy who cleaned it tonight he found a ton of dirt in it, couple of screws loose, bowl had grime in it and one of the holes was completely blocked. He tried to blow through it no air would go through. Cleaned up and ready to test out in the am!

Is there a inline fuel filter or a fuel filter I can replace? Also it does have a water/fuel separator setup in it.

 

[vipzach]

Re: Mercury 3.0 I/0 Bayliner 1990 runs then dies.

Without a good soaking, it may not be enough to get it running right.

Depending on your boat, there is a filter below the fuel pump and one in the inlet of the carb.

 

[chowda633]

Re: Mercury 3.0 I/0 Bayliner 1990 runs then dies.

vip what what needs a good soaking?

Ok I will look for the filter in the am. Would a local marine shop carry fuel filters?

 

[vipzach]

Re: Mercury 3.0 I/0 Bayliner 1990 runs then dies.

vip what what needs a good soaking?

Ok I will look for the filter in the am. Would a local marine shop carry fuel filters?

The entire carb. After it is completely stripped down. I am in the process of rebuilding my carb and was told that soaking it for 1.5 hours wasn't good enough, it had to be over night. It was the only way to get all of the junk loosened up.

The filter in the carb is just a plastic screen. You should be able to just clean it out. The other, I'm not sure about.

 

[chowda633]

Re: Mercury 3.0 I/0 Bayliner 1990 runs then dies.

ahhh yes that's funny you mentioned that I actually read your thread about it! "Supposedly" it was done just last year so maybe the build up was not bad just full of dirt?

The boat was stored outside for the 5-7 months with no cover. TONS of leaves and other crap all in the boat.

Thank you for the info I will ask him if he soaked it over night tonight.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Mercury 3.0 I/0 Bayliner 1990 runs then dies.

There's a filter int he carb and there should also be one on the fuel pump, both of which should be easily bought at the local marine shop/store. Unless that boat had a water separating fuel filter added on, it probably doesn't have one. It's a good idea to add one, with all the ethanol in fuel these days, the bonus is keeping keeping trash from plugging up your other filters.

 

[dubs283]

Re: Mercury 3.0 I/0 Bayliner 1990 runs then dies.

The boat was stored outside for the 5-7 months with no cover. TONS of leaves and other crap all in the boat.

yep, and probably a bunch of rain water in/near the carb and engine

could be time for a whole new carb

and depending on what you are using for a soak solution, some of them are pretty "hot" and will pit the carb if left in for too long - a three hour soak is MAX for me