3.0L Mercuiser fuel system

[Indulis]

I have a 1998 Campion 505BR with a 3.0L Mercuiser and a Alpha 1 stern drive. The boat has been sitting in a garage for the last 5 years. I got it started (easily) this past weekend, but after about 5 minutes it started to sputter and died. Even though I had fuel stabilizer in the tank, I suspect the fuel is bad. How do I go about ?flushing? out the fuel tank/system? I can siphon the gas out of the tank, but then what? I'd like some advise before I pull out the wrenches and air compressor.

Thanks!

 

[anderson8923]

Re: 3.0L Mercuiser fuel system

I had a similar situation with my 3.0 litre. I replaced the fuel filters and then checked the dip tube and check valve at the gas tank. My check valve was ok, but I discovered that the dip tube was full of crap. I cleaned it out and it ran great. Something to try before draining tank etc. Hope this is your problem. Pretty easy fix.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: 3.0L Mercuiser fuel system

Adding fuel stabilizer to old fuel does not make it new fuel. Disconnect the fuel line at the engine and using any of the cheap hand pumps, pump it out. Change the filters and give it a try. It may be some debris has made its way into the carb so a carb rebuild may now be necessary.

 

[Indulis]

Re: 3.0L Mercuiser fuel system

Thanks for the reply!!!

Adding fuel stabilizer to old fuel does not make it new fuel.

I should have been a bit more specific... the fuel stabilizer was added when I last winterized the boat.


I don't see any obvious fuel filters... nothing around what looks to be a mechanical fuel pump nor at the feed to the carb. Would you happen to know if that engine has any "hidden" screens anywhere that should looked at? Is it possible that this boat came out of the factory without any type of fuel filter whatsoever?

 

[TrybalRage]

Re: 3.0L Mercuiser fuel system

I don't see any obvious fuel filters... nothing around what looks to be a mechanical fuel pump nor at the feed to the carb. Would you happen to know if that engine has any "hidden" screens anywhere that should looked at? Is it possible that this boat came out of the factory without any type of fuel filter whatsoever?

I don't know about differences in years, but mine has two filters, one built into the fuel pump and one right where the fuel line goes into the carb. Neither are blatantly obvious.

The manuals in the adults only section sticky at the top of this section have exploded diagrams showing where and how to replace.

 

[Indulis]

Re: 3.0L Mercuiser fuel system

Thanks... I'll take a look!!