Multiple Issues or Multiple Signs of the Same Issue?

[Begester]

I’ve noticed a few issues recently with my 1989 SeaRay 220DA (5.7L w/ Mercruiser Alpha 1) and I’m wondering if they’re related…

1. At cruising speed (~3200rpm), there is an occasional spike of about 100-200 rpms, sometimes it will stay “up” and sometimes it will come back. I’m still on the first tank of fuel for the season, which was last years gas + fuel stabilizer, so I’m not completely ruling out bad gas.
2. Its often very difficult to steer at low rpm…not that it wonders, but that the steering wheel is difficult to turn. The problem goes away when I’m about ~1500 rpm and I never have a problem while I’m cruising or on plane. The power steering fluid level is normal and there’s nothing leaking. If this was the only
3. About 20% of the time, I turn the key and I hear only a click in the engine bay…presumably near the starter. I initially thought it was the neutral switch, but the issue doesn’t require any jiggling of the throttle to correct. I simply turn the key again and it starts right up.

Are these all signs of a similar problem or are they indicative of 2-3 separate issues? Any insight is greatly appreciated…I’m hoping to get a little bit of education before I start throwing time/parts/$$$ at it.

 

[alldodge]

I’ve noticed a few issues recently with my 1989 SeaRay 220DA (5.7L w/ Mercruiser Alpha 1) and I’m wondering if they’re related…

1. At cruising speed (~3200rpm), there is an occasional spike of about 100-200 rpms, sometimes it will stay “up” and sometimes it will come back. I’m still on the first tank of fuel for the season, which was last years gas + fuel stabilizer, so I’m not completely ruling out bad gas.
2. Its often very difficult to steer at low rpm…not that it wonders, but that the steering wheel is difficult to turn. The problem goes away when I’m about ~1500 rpm and I never have a problem while I’m cruising or on plane. The power steering fluid level is normal and there’s nothing leaking. If this was the only
3. About 20% of the time, I turn the key and I hear only a click in the engine bay…presumably near the starter. I initially thought it was the neutral switch, but the issue doesn’t require any jiggling of the throttle to correct. I simply turn the key again and it starts right up.

Are these all signs of a similar problem or are they indicative of 2-3 separate issues? Any insight is greatly appreciated…I’m hoping to get a little bit of education before I start throwing time/parts/$$$ at it.

I don't see any of them as being related.
1. There could be some curd in the carb, maybe the filter or pump. Carb would be my first guess buy give it some time and some more fuel before I would get into anything just yet.
2. Could be you power steering pump is on the way out. Check to see if the steering ram slot is straight up and down where the cable connects to the ram. Check that the cable nut is tight. If all checks out, suggest checking the pressure of the pump, but that pressure is up there.
3. First thought is bad connections or slave solenoid is going out. Clean connections and slave