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  1. Merc4ever

    Plastic- non inflatable, inflatable looking boat?

    I was wondering if anyone has ever seen this plastic looking, indestructable looking, style of boats before? I think something like this would be great especially if it were a self draining hull. I couldn't find anything like it on the web I seen this on a Tohatsu ad. It looks like they call it...
  2. Merc4ever

    The Dreaded Anti Siphon Valve

    Like so many boaters I was stranded without fuel getting to my engine and removed the anti siphon valve from the tank. I know the Coast Gaurd wants you to keep them so the fuel doesn't drain into the bilge in case of a leak but I left it out like everybody does, so I keep running smoothly. My...
  3. Merc4ever

    10% alcohol in fuel

    What's a boater to do with the 10 % alcohol we have at most gas stations now? I've been told it eats hoses, the seals in my carb... I've added Seafoam but I believe that it's made from alcohol will it still help? What is the best thing we can do to protect ourself?
  4. Merc4ever

    Mercruiser fuel pressure

    On the v6 4.3 mercruiser does anyone know the best way to see what your fuel pressure is? Place to get a guage? New mechainical pump? My boat would only idle home, chokes out when I give it gas, and now won't even start. I figure it seems fuel related because I worked the accelrator pump on the...
  5. Merc4ever

    Yanmar for A/C

    Is it OK to idle a 30 HP Yanmar all night to run the 12 volt A/C if you bump it up to 1000 RPM? That should prevent piston glazing problems and keep the 12 volt system charged.
  6. Merc4ever

    Porpoising

    My boat is fastest when she is bouncing just a little is that normal? Seems like it should slow me down.
  7. Merc4ever

    Ear piercing screech

    I pulled my boat out of winter storage (Merc 4.3) fired it up and in the front of the engine I hear this loud screech that hurts my ears and is rythmatic with the turning of the belts. New altenator last year 1989 water pump? Belt tension seems good It stays cool and everything is working...
  8. Merc4ever

    4.3's best gas mileage

    My buddy down at the lake told me your best mileage is in gear, at idle cruising along like a canoe. Is that true? I argued that from what I have read it's the sweet spot up on a plane with the throttle cut back as much as possible. Seems to me that it would be terrible mileage because you...
  9. Merc4ever

    Cheaper oil?

    In my 1989 4.3 litre mercruiser I'm trying Auto Zones $3.99 a quart Kendell 20-50 racing oil because of the high price of the others. It's not synthetic but has zinc to protect against wear. Has anyone tried this brand yet?
  10. Merc4ever

    Storage drain carb or not?

    My delema is: my boating guru friend says he once ran stabilizer + gas then drained his carb per the manual but had to "rebuild the carb" when taken out of storage because of varnish deposits. So ever since he keeps the fuel line tank and carbs full of fuel+stabilizer and never has had any...
  11. Merc4ever

    Major leak HELP!

    I have a major leak in my Alpha 1, the rubber bellows are dry when I fill the bilge with water and raise the bow. Instead water dumps out hole "A" as you can see in stream "B". It's only on the right side hole the left hole stays almost dry. What is this hole? Where could this water be coming...
  12. Merc4ever

    Mercruiser rotor don't fit right?

    Here's my latest dilemma, last year I bought a replacement rotor and ignition sensor because mine was rusty and I didn't want to get stranded if it failed. It was for my 1989 2bbl V6 Mercruiser. Well I just put it in and it works but the rotor bumps the sensor and makes it wiggle when I crank it...
  13. Merc4ever

    Mercruiser water leak

    Does anyone know the most common place that a Mercruiser alpha one would leak water into the boat? Could it be some gasket or O-ring inside it? I have a slow intermittent leak that is not coming from any hoses but somewhere on my Mercruiser drive. It happens when the engine is not running. I...
  14. Merc4ever

    Merc oil vs Mobil 1

    In a GM Mercruiser what are the thoughts on using Mobil 1 over the synthetic Mercury oil? Is it really necessary to drive 3 hours to find 5 quarts of Merc juice when I can get Mobil 1 a lot easier? If so what weight is recommended and is Merc oil really better for my engine?
  15. Merc4ever

    Alternator for 4.3

    I seem to be having a hard time finding an alternator from iboats for my 4.3 1989 Mercruiser. I'd like to match it up but can't find it on the alternator list. It was: Mercury Marine part no 19685 OUTPUT 12V 55A GRD NEG VENDOR PART NO. AC155604 DATE CODE 11-88 SAE MARINE J1171 MADE BY MANDO...
  16. Merc4ever

    Power trim clicks but wont go up

    My 4.3 litre alpha one trim and tilt goes down fine but the solonoid just clicks when its time to go up. It's most of the time but once in a while it will go up but you have to click it a million times then keep it in until its up because it may be your last chance before a million more times of...
  17. Merc4ever

    Choke adjustment

    My choke is open when I try to start my boat. Is there any procedure to adjust this? My repair manual doesn't talk about it other than telling me to check the setting.
  18. Merc4ever

    Mercruser intake holes

    On a 1989 V6 4.3 litre mercarb 2bbl Lookin at my engine on the left side of the carb down on top of the intake are 2 holes that look like they would cause a vacum leak. they are in the center of a small football shaped plate with 2 bolts outside of the holes holding it down to the intake...
  19. Merc4ever

    Cold start takes 4ever

    I have a '89 4.3 Mercruiser and it takes a long time to start when cold. (A lot of cranking) I replaced the carb because of a bad choke, but it still does the same thing. It runs and starts fine when warm. It seems like it has a hard time sucking the gas from the tank I replaced everything...
  20. Merc4ever

    Fuel vent spill cure

    Like most boaters I have the common fuel spill out my vent. With a full tank I spill fuel from warm weather or any time I move or wiggle the boat! I find it strange when the vent is 12 inces above my tank. I was told to get a longer vent hose and loop it has anyone tried this? What about if I...
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