1st time owner - still not running but need input!!!

[bryen813]

Hey guys this is my first post here so hows it going!!!

Well good here, I have a 2001 Sea Ray 180 with 3.0L v4 I/O.

I've been working on getting it fixed for the past 6 months slowly because I've never worked on boat before.

But I have done lots of research and replacing parts and talking things over with techs at local sea ray dealer.

So i can't get it to start from the key switch, replaced the starter right away about 6 months ago thinking that was it...but it wasn't.

I then just gave it the full tune up (plugs, plug wires, distributor, cap/rotor) just because it needed it.

Just today I finally got a wiring schematics and narrowed it down to the slave solenoid mounted on the block not the solenoid on the starter motor.

After I got done taking the slave solenoid out I saw the "cannon" plug, the wiring harness plug thing. So I disconnected it, pulled it apart and a bounch of water was stuck in the connection!!!! my jaw dropped and I quickly dried the connectors as much as possible. Im going to go clean the connections as much as possible using the Q tip method that I saw somewhere here....

I looked at the prong side of the cannon plug and found that wires 7 and 2 had stuff in between them and weren't open. Looking at the schematics wire 7 is the wire that leads directly to the slave solenoid.....
wire 2 is coming from the tach (sender) and goes to ignition coil I think.

Well any input you guys might have would be great i'll keep you posted on my findings. I still need to get new fuses for my blower cause Im not supposed to start it without the blower on correct??

Thanks all,

Bryen

 

[danond]

Re: 1st time owner - still not running but need input!!!

The blower vents the engine compartment air to the outside, drawing fresh air in. You can accomplish the same thing by leaving the engine compartment cover open for a while for test starting purposes.

Once you plan to water test it, you need the blower working before hand.

 

[MikDee]

Re: 1st time owner - still not running but need input!!!

Take the cannon plug, and spray it with compressed air, then spray it liberally with WD-40, get all the gunk out, spray it again when clean, and put it back together

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: 1st time owner - still not running but need input!!!

Welcome Bryan!

The blower is used to purge any gas fumes from the bilge, before starting the engine while the cover (dog house) is on. With the cover off, there is little chance for mishap...any fumes will be safely dissapated into the air.

Fix the wire harness connector...use a little dielectric grease on the terminals...and crank her up!

P.S. You should have fuses available under the helm for the blower, if you are worried about it. Just 'borrow' a matching one from one of the accessories (nav lights, bilge pump, etc.).

 

[bryen813]

Re: 1st time owner - still not running but need input!!!

Thanks all for the info it's been a great help all!


soooo the cannon plug clean fixed my ignition issue so that is a great step forward

BUT

she's still not wanting to start up so i'm guessing it's fuel related so I need to troubleshoot that. any info/advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: 1st time owner - still not running but need input!!!

Thanks all for the info it's been a great help all!


soooo the cannon plug clean fixed my ignition issue so that is a great step forward

BUT

she's still not wanting to start up so i'm guessing it's fuel related so I need to troubleshoot that. any info/advice would be greatly appreciated!

Go here...and pick your poison!


http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288430

 

[TyeeMan]

Re: 1st time owner - still not running but need input!!!

Just so we're all on the same page, , , when you turn the key the engine turns over, or rotates correct?

One thing you can do to veryfy that you do in fact have spark is pull any spark plug wire off insert a screw driver, or a known working spark plug into the spark plug boot, put on a nice leather glove on and have a buddy crank the engine. While the engine is cranking hold the screw driver about an 1/8" away from some bare metal, or ground the threaded part of the spark plug to bare metal and look for a real nice blue spark, it should snap a bit.

If you do in fact have spark find yourself a little squeeze/squirt bottle and squirt a teaspoon or so of fuel down the carb, crank the engine and see what happens. If nothing try squirting another teaspoon of fuel down the carb and crank the engine again. It should run for at least a second or two. If it does start briefly you'll know you have some kind of fuel system problem.
I've also started an engine spraying a WD-40 "type" oil down the carb.
Oh, if you try this, put the water muffs on just in case she starts.

Good luck bud!

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: 1st time owner - still not running but need input!!!

Pour a little gas down the carb and see if it fires over...
Have you tested spark?

( Oops...posting at the same time )...

 

[bryen813]

Re: 1st time owner - still not running but need input!!!

Yeah I turn the key now and it turns but doesn't start up.

I was gonna look down the carb to see if fuel was even going down throat. But first I'll double check spark, and double check firing order just been looking over this service manual (thanks again)

well I'll keep you guys updated on what I find it will be a couple few hours though!

 

[bryen813]

Re: 1st time owner - still not running but need input!!!

Well looked down the throat of the carb when i turn the key or throttle no fuel so it's either plugging up at the carb or the pump is bad.

I was trying to take off the fuel line to the carb with an open ended wrench but it seems to be on there pretty damn good and with the open end it's not gripping right and with much more force it will begin to strip.

Has anyone else had difficulty taking line off? any specific tools needed? I sprayed up with wd40 to hope to loosen a bit.... just waiting it out now lol

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: 1st time owner - still not running but need input!!!

The correct item is called a
'line wrench or flare wrench"

 

[bryen813]

Re: 1st time owner - still not running but need input!!!

Thanks. saved me from possibly stripping or breaking line!!

 

[Rocky_Road]

Re: 1st time owner - still not running but need input!!!

The correct item is called a
'line wrench or flare wrench"

And...you HAVE to hold the larger nut (in the carb body) stationary, with a good fitting open end wrench.

Flare nut wrenches for both fittings, is the pro way to go....

 

[bryen813]

Re: 1st time owner - still not running but need input!!!

So if it isn't the fuel pump and my problem is my carb is clogged up then I'm gonna have to get a rebuild kit?

This is my first boat, and all my vehicles i've had have been EFI not carb. Would you guys suggest learning myself and doing it with the instructions??? (of course i've been doing research as to how the carb works etc to help me better understand what I am about to be doing)

I want to learn how to do these things myself but I don't want to get in over my head!!! lol

 

[fat fanny]

Re: 1st time owner - still not running but need input!!!

Try checking all your fuel filters and make sure there is no fuel in your bypass hose from your fuel pump if so equipt (clear plastic hose from pump to carb throat body) also pull fuel lines and inspect for tight connections and to be clear and free of debre as well as checking your anti siphon valve (looks like a hose barb first fittong from fuel tank on most systems. And if all this checks out and your still not getting fuel pull carb blow air through fuel inlet you should fell air bowing through carb if not float could be stuck or gummed up. Which incase you will need a rebuild try aftermarket marine.com universal weber kits are 35.95+s/h for mercarbs and rochesters. Good luck!

 

[ken_23434]

Re: 1st time owner - still not running but need input!!!

The first carb I rebuilt worked. Get a bucket at an auto store of carb cleaner. The one I used was a 1 gallon bucket, like a paint can. It has a strainer basket (like a mini turkey fryer basket) that you dip the parts with.

Make sure you have the genuine Mercruiser Service manual (Adults only sticky at the top of this forum) along with the instructions from the rebuild kit. I have a folding plastic table I use for jobs like this. I put a couple lids from jars or similar to hold small parts together. Such as the screws that hold the air horn to the body of the carb. I put them all together, so I know this set of screws go together. You end up with lots of parts, so some way to keep them identified helped me out.

Once the carb is completely stripped, soak the portions. A source of compressed air is basically a necessity to ensure the small passages and such are all clear. Pay attention to the soak time (it will also take off all that nice black paint). Rinse everything real good afterwards with water. Use compressed air to dry the parts off and ensure the passages are clean. Then reverse the steps you used to take it apart and put it back together.

Mark the choke cover before you take it apart so you get the choke back to the same position, too.

Don't soak any plastic or rubber parts. They will dissolve. I think the floats will be plastic and the diaphram for the choke is rubber. I have done a few boat carbs and a few motor cycle carbs over the past few years, so I cannot remember the specifics from my 3.0.

I think this covers the basics. Just need to be really patient taking it apart and keep the parts identified so you can identify them when putting it back together.

A 2 year old helping you is not a lot of help either.

 

[ken_23434]

Re: 1st time owner - still not running but need input!!!

You should be able to start it just by squirting starter fluid in the carb. If you get the "beat" right, you can keep pulsing the spray can to keep the engine running for a while.

You problem very well could be just completely dry fuel lines. It does take a good amount of cranking initially for the fuel pump to get the fuel to the carb.

The bucket of carb cleaner should be less than $20. The tools needed to pull the carb apart are just screw drivers and other basic tools.

 

[bryen813]

Re: 1st time owner - still not running but need input!!!

Okay so I posted another thread when I should have just asked you guys who are obviously very knowledgeable on this motor.

This boats been sitting not running, sat outside, wasn't properly maintenanced for storage so I need to know everything I need to do in terms of lubing, checking steering, etc. the whole ins and outs of what bringing it in to have it checked would accomplish.

Any input thanks!!