Starting an engine after 3 years of sitting

[Slickboy93]

1989 4.3L Cobra in an 1989 Four Winns 180 Horizon.

Bought this boat a few weeks ago... It has not been run or on the water in 3 years. The previous owner claims it was winterized properly before it was put away. I have done the following:

Changed the Oil
Changed the Filter
New Spark Plugs
New Fuel/Water Separator
New Battery
Fixed all electrical problems (I think).

I have not spent a lot of time working on the engine since I solved the electrical problems (with the help of iboats forums or course). The engine cranks, but the few times I tried, it did not start. I have the Seloc manual and can go through the motions to get it going - I hope.

I am looking for advice from you all on what else I should do/look out for/expect when trying to start this after 3 years of sitting. Any advice you can give would be appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[lucky7's]

Re: Starting an engine after 3 years of sitting

Gas is bad for sure. Drain tank and put new fuel in there.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Starting an engine after 3 years of sitting

Did you check the outdrive at all?

Hows the oil look?

Any shavings on the magnets?

Did you do a compression check?

Did you clean the fuel filter,by the carb, in the fuel pump if it has one.

Check the anti-syphon valve

Check the fuel pickup screen.

Do you have spark?

If it was my boat, I would first run it on a external tank. Pump the old gas out.

Careful when pumping the old gas out think about what your doing.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Starting an engine after 3 years of sitting

Gas is bad for sure. Drain tank and put new fuel in there.

Whatever else MAY be the problem, you can bet that the statement above is true.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: Starting an engine after 3 years of sitting

This has been talked about before.

1) squirt some oil or ATF fluid in each cylinder. Let soak overnight.
2) Get the tool that you can run the oil pump through the distributor hole and get full oil pressure.
3) Turn engine over by hand.
4) Crank the engine with the starter.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Starting an engine after 3 years of sitting

After you do the above mentioned, and are ready to fire the engine for the first time I'd prime the carb by dumping a little gas down it. Just be sure and replace the spark arrester before you try and start it.

 

[Slickboy93]

Re: Starting an engine after 3 years of sitting

Any tips on how to safely get the gas out of the tank?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Starting an engine after 3 years of sitting

What i did was take off the fuel sender cover. I borrowed a electric auto fuel pump. They are cheap maybe 10 bucks maybe a little more in any auto store.

I attached about 7 feet of hose with a clamp on the intake of the pump into the tank that went.

Than i had a 30 gallon drum on the ground with about 15 feet of hose running into that from the electric pump.

I moved the electric pump as far from the tank hole as possible, actually i hung it on the outside of the boat away from the tank and drum so no sparks.

Hooked the leads up to the battery and a half hour or 45 minutes latter i was done.

good luck

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Starting an engine after 3 years of sitting

You know what if you want you can use the fuel pickup hole.That way when you pull the fuel pickup you can check it at the same time. Also you can check the anti-syphon valve, kill 2 birds with the same stone so to speak.

Crank that boat so the bow is way up so you get all the fuel out.

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: Starting an engine after 3 years of sitting

I would add to the list you've been given: replace the impeller in the raw water pump in the outdrive; change the oil in the outdrive; grease all fittings; check all the belts and hoses; check for spark at the distributor center wire and at the plugs. Make sure you put in of muffs with water flowing before you attemt to start it. Running it even for a minute without water will burn up you new water pump impeller. Good luck. Hy

 

[cgrooves]

Re: Starting an engine after 3 years of sitting

Any tips on how to safely get the gas out of the tank?

After a recent full tune-up & a carb rebuild, I still had to drain my tank this past weekend to get that bad gas (water, etc.) out that was causing intermittent problems.

I disconnected the supply line coming from the tank at the water/fuel seperator. I inserted a straight barb hose coupler and then connected about 6 feet of clear vinyl hose that I had fed into the bilge area through the drain hole. After I siphoned all the gas out I could, I taped over the fill vent holes and connected a blower to the fill spout to put positive pressure on the tank and get the residual out.

I had approx. 10 gallons of fuel in the tank. I let the first portion siphon into a clear 5 gallon container, and there was 1/4 to 1/2 gallon of a dark brown/purple liquid that settled on the bottom. I re-installed all of the good fuel after I was done, but in your case I would dispose of all that is in there.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Starting an engine after 3 years of sitting

I hate the taste of gas. Some people seem to drink it haaa. Ether way would work.

 

[cgrooves]

Re: Starting an engine after 3 years of sitting

I hate the taste of gas. Some people seem to drink it haaa. Ether way would work.

No doubt.
That's why I bought the clear vinyl tubing - so I could see it coming in time. Worked great when siphoning out the tank, but I did get to taste a little when I siphoned the good fuel off of the top of the clear 5 gallon container that had the bad stuff settled to the bottom. Tasted gas every time I burped that night

 

[Slickboy93]

Re: Starting an engine after 3 years of sitting

Update

Finally a day off.

Spent about eight hours wrenching today. I started by getting all the gas drained. I won't explain the method I used because I'm surprised I'm not in the burn unit.

I Put a fresh 10 gallons of regualr in and poured some gas into the carb. I also resolved another electrical problem that I won't elaborate on. Anyway, the engine fired right up, then quit. Cranked on it for awhile and nothing. Poured some more gas into the carb and fired right up again for about 10 seconds. It was dark so I didn't delve into any more troubleshooting tonight.

So, anything obvious that anyone can think I missed before I go through the SELOC trouble shooting section on the fuel system?

It's been a frustrating few weeks, but it was pretty sweet to hear it run for a bit knowing it hadn't run in over three years.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Starting an engine after 3 years of sitting

I'd try running on a remote tank..........................that way you take most of the fuel system out out of play............leaves only fuel pump and carb.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Starting an engine after 3 years of sitting

Clean all the fittings again.

The one in the fitting at the carb.

The one in the fuel filter.

The fuel pickup.

Is the line going to the carb from the fuel pump clear.

Fuel pump should give you 4-6 pounds.

I would start it on a remote fuel tank also. Till you get it running right at home.

You don't have points i think.

Good battery? Clean all the connections good, grounds also.

Spray some gas in the carb 2-3 teaspoons maybe.

Pump it 2 three times and advance throttle in neutral 1/4 way.

Carb rebuild if it don't run maybe?

Good luck

 

[Slickboy93]

Re: Starting an engine after 3 years of sitting

Success.

Not sure why though. All I did was verify that the fuel pump was pumping fuel by taking off the fuel line, put it back on and it fired right up and stayed running. Maybe i didn't give it enough of an opporutnity to build up sufficient pressure the first time? Anyway, it's good to go now.

Thank you all for your help.