3.0lx Help...please

[GTRMAN]

I have a 1997 Starcraft 1710 w/ Mercruiser 3.0lx. Was running great for the past month but last week after running for a few hours and headed into port, It suddenly lost power and the motor began shaking and backfiring. I was able to get it into port by feathering the accelerator to keep it running, but once into port, stalled at idle. I verified spark to all plugs. Plugs look brand new/clean. New ignition coil, ignition module, distributor cap, rotor, plug wires, fuel seperator filter, clean gas. Today I was able to get it started and once warm, was able to get it to idle smoothly for 30 minutes. Shut it off and let it sit for 30 minutes and would not restart. It just cranked and would backfire when it would start to run.
I also verified good oil pressure, not overheating and no water in the oil.

 

[stonyloam]

Sounds like you may have a fuel delivery problem. Check the clear line going from the fuel pump to the carb. to see if there is fuel in it, indicating a fuel pump diagram rupture. Check your fuel pressure from the pump.

 

[GTRMAN]

Sounds like you may have a fuel delivery problem. Check the clear line going from the fuel pump to the carb. to see if there is fuel in it, indicating a fuel pump diagram rupture. Check your fuel pressure from the pump.

​Thank you for responding. There is no fuel in the clear line and there is pressure at the carb. I noticed that when it was spraying out as I loosened the fittings to check the fuel filter in the carb at the inlet.

 

[GTRMAN]

I ended up taking it to my mechanic the other day. He had a hard time figuring it out, too. So he rechecked everything I had done and decided to try swapping out the distributor with one he had on a spare engine. My motor started right up with the other distributor and purred like a kitten. So he's ordering a new distributor and I should have the boat back by next weekend.