merc 888 fuel issue

[johnzonh]

sorry for my ignorance but we inherited a 75 glastron sierra with a merc 888 ford 302. hadn't been run for a couple of years ...finally hooked up some water and gassed up...ran fine on land.

got it in the water....idled ... no wake speed for about 15 min then it just cut out. sounded like it wasn't getting fuel ....suspicions confirmed yesterday when carb accelerator pump was no longer spewing gas.

i read a few other posts here...and I suspect a few things. 1st..need to know where antisiphon is located (I don't have an engine manual yet...but figured someone here would know) 2nd...any cool way to check the fuel lines?

the tanks are 2-18 gallon located under seats...about 8 feet from engine.

when running ..no oil burning..no water burning (other than the water spewing out from a couple of forgotten drain plugs

any help greatly appreciated. I'm relatively new to boating engine world and need some inside intel.

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: merc 888 fuel issue

sorry for my ignorance but we inherited a 75 glastron sierra with a merc 888 ford 302. hadn't been run for a couple of years ...finally hooked up some water and gassed up...ran fine on land.

got it in the water....idled ... no wake speed for about 15 min then it just cut out. sounded like it wasn't getting fuel ....suspicions confirmed yesterday when carb accelerator pump was no longer spewing gas.
Did you change the water separating fuel filter?....
It looks like an oil filter & is located by the fuel pump sight glass.....

i read a few other posts here...and I suspect a few things. 1st..need to know where antisiphon is located (I don't have an engine manual yet...but figured someone here would know)
It is usually at the top of the fuel tank where the fuel line goes from vertical to horizontal, there also may or may not be a screen at the bottom of the pick up line in the tank(s).....
2nd...any cool way to check the fuel lines?
A fast & easy way to check for fuel problems is to temporarily plumb in a five gallon auxillary tank directly to the fuel/water separator housing & see if it solves your problem....


the tanks are 2-18 gallon located under seats...about 8 feet from engine.

when running ..no oil burning..no water burning (other than the water spewing out from a couple of forgotten drain plugs

any help greatly appreciated. I'm relatively new to boating engine world and need some inside intel.

Welcome to iboats......
The fact that it starts & runs is a good thing....
There are some more things to look at before you deem the boat 'seaworthy' after sitting for that long.....
Namely, the impeller in the drive should be changed to prevent failure & overheat.....
The drive should be pulled & the ujoints lubed....
The u joint bellows should be inspected for any signs of wear/cracking, etc.....
Hope this helps!.....

 

[Bondo Again]

Re: merc 888 fuel issue

1st..need to know where antisiphon is located
2nd...any cool way to check the fuel lines?

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard John,...
You've already got the attention of Our resident Ford/ Merc. Guru....

Hoe Medoe has the same Motor/ Drive, just like your's,+ has had His fingers All Over It,...
He knows the things to Check,+ How to get'em Right,....

Good to see ya Hoe,........

The Antisiphon Valve is the Hosebarb at the gastank's Elbow.....
And,...
Fuel Lines can be accessed by inspecting the ends at the Tank, Fuel Pump or Filter....
If there's Any Checking, Cracking, or other signs of Age,.....
Replace them.... It's Cheap Insurance.....

 

[Haut Medoc]

Re: merc 888 fuel issue

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard John,...
You've already got the attention of Our resident Ford/ Merc. Guru....

Hoe Medoe has the same Motor/ Drive, just like your's,+ has had His fingers All Over It,...
He knows the things to Check,+ How to get'em Right,....

Good to see ya Hoe,........

Who's the 'newbie'?......

 

[Bondo Again]

Re: merc 888 fuel issue

Ayuh,...

The old 'puter is in the kitchen,.....
I gotta shut this 1 down,+ switch'em....

Then I'll have all My experince,+ Knowledge back,.........

 

[johnzonh]

Re: merc 888 fuel issue

Hahaha you guys sound like a lotta fun to get info from.

Yeah my brother passed away last year so we inherited it....but no clue as to what he did with it. I know that there are a few wiring issues with some of the accessories too...so I gotta figure out what's goin on with those. I'm glad that someone was nice enough to put the merc manual online.

I will look into the lines ...as long as I can get rid of the resident hornets nest inside the panels. Last time I messed with a nest I ended up with a lump on my nose and couldn't see a thing for 3 days. I looked like the michelin man.

I may pose a few more 888 merc questions to you guys....lets hope I'm on the right track.

John

 

[Bondo]

Re: merc 888 fuel issue

as long as I can get rid of the resident hornets nest inside the panels. Last time I messed with a nest I ended up with a lump on my nose and couldn't see a thing for 3 days. I looked like the michelin man.

Ayuh,.......

A Fresh can of Wasp & Hornet spary,+ the cover of Darkness,........

Been there,... Done that....