1993 Mariner Magnum 3, fuel issue?

[jinxd12]

Just got a new to me bass boat, with a Mariner Magnum 3 150hp outboard. The boat was sitting for almost a year, so obviously engine needed to be cleaned out. But before it was stored for a year it supposedly had a tune up and tank filled with gas..yuck.

Anyways went through the carbs and the fuel lines in the motor, and replaced primer bulb lines...now it starts but only runs after being "choked/sprayed"

So I have a few questions...

I think the primer bulb has a small leak...could this cause an issue after engine starts..the bulb become soft frequently.

I looked for a replacement fuel pump, but only found rebuild kits, does anyone know of a place where I can buy a new one?

Any motor gurus know of some Mercury/Mariner tricks to keep me going????

Also....Not interested in the posts of should have got a mechanic to look at it before buying, I got the boat for a great price, with the understanding I would need to do a few things.

 

[Dukedog]

considered electric pump?.. easy plus eliminates tha bulb pumping thing.. small, 3 ta 5 pound pressure. thru a relay powered by "purple" wire and done.. relay and pump under a 100 bucks easy..........

 

[Chris1956]

Fuel pumps are avail for that motor. Probably less than $200, however, rebuilding the original fuel pump works just fine, for $25 for a kit.

A hole in the primer bulb can let air into fuel line, disrupting the fuel pumping. Tape it and test.

Is the enrichener working? On my '93 Merc, the enrichener is a solenoid valve that drains the top carb into the throats of the lower carbs. You must hold the choke button when cranking to make it work.

Do you have a cold start lever or throttle advance button? One of them is usually necessary for cold starting a Merc.

 

[Chris1956]

PS, wiring an electric fuel pump to the purple wire can be dangerous, as the pump will continue to run, whenever the ign switch is on.

Electric fuel pumps are wired via relays to signals only available when motor is running, like oil pressure (4 cycle motors) or alternator signals. This wiring provides much more safety.

There is also no reason that your motor needs an electric fuel pump, The mechanical fuel pump is more than adequate IMHO.

 

[jinxd12]

A hole in the primer bulb can let air into fuel line, disrupting the fuel pumping. Tape it and test.
Will buy new one today.

Is the enrichener working? On my '93 Merc, the enrichener is a solenoid valve that drains the top carb into the throats of the lower carbs. You must hold the choke button when cranking to make it work.
I was reading when i press my key in this motor only squirts fuel, its not really a choke? Am I wrong? If i press the key in it makes a clicking sound at the motor, assuming relay?


Do you have a cold start lever or throttle advance button? One of them is usually necessary for cold starting a Merc.
Not sure about this, this is my 1st Nitro bass boat, so learning as i go. Not much info about my dash, or factory provided buttons.

 

[jinxd12]

Also I would love to run an electric fuel pump, but as I was thinking about it and Chris1956 mentioned, there is no way for the pump to turn off. I am open to opinions on this though!

 

[jinxd12]

Installed a new primer bulb and hoses to motor, the top carb started to drip gas out of the little port next to the butterfly. Hoping that I dont have a float issue and that i just over squeezed the primer bulb.

For a fuel filter, I just used a generic clear autozone filter with the paper inside...is this acceptable? Seems weird because the filter never completely fills with fuel, doesnt matter how hard i press..and thats when fuel came out the carb??

 

[Chris1956]

As long as the filter allows enough fuel to pass, it is fine. However, your motor needs to have a 3/8" ID fuel line, and most generic filters will not allow enough fuel for long, as they can clog easily.

I would get a glass 3/8" filter with a plastic screen, or better yet, install a water separator (~$25).

PS those filters usually do not fill with fuel.