4.3 flooding?

[paulspaddle]

I'm currently at the cabin using a neighbours 'dial up' computer to post this.

I took my 1990 4.3 Mercruiser out for the first time about a month ago. It idles and ran flawlessly...but...at one point I was running about 9/10th WOT and it suddenly just died. I restarted it (took a little bit) and didn't have another issue for the rest of the 15 min ride.

Today, I put the boat in, idled it for awhile, then drove it about 3/4 throddle for about a kilometer, stopped, pick up wife and child. Drove about 1/2 kilometer at 3/4 throddle, then opened it up for about 30 seconds, when I pulled it back, it stalled.

Wouldn't restart.

We were near the dock, we paddled it back. I took off the flame arrester and after turning it over for awhile I looked into the top of the carb and fuel was "burbbleing, and gurgleing". Left the boat for about an hour, went back and it started, but was running abit rough. Turned it off, tried to restart...nope....same "gurgleing" going on.

So, what you think is going on?

I may not be able to log on again for a few hours so if you have a question please elaborate....as in don't just say, "what do the plugs look like?"...please add "why" you are asking. Just because I'm feeling like I'm intruding on the neighbours a bit using the connection so my posts will be limited this weekend.

Also, my mechanical knowledge is limited...please explain and better yet provide a pic if there is something I can try to fix this issue.

Thanks a lot....would love to do some boating this weekend yet.

 

[captmello]

Re: 4.3 flooding?

If the carb is really dumping gas like you say, something is not right and you're most likely looking at a rebuild.

Not a big deal but I wouldn't suggest heading out on the lake until you've had it gone through.

I'm certainly not a carb expert, maybe someone else has a better suggestion.

 

[180shabah]

Re: 4.3 flooding?

Carb rebuild time.

We could go back and forth determining, float sticking, cracked housing, improper tuning etc, but any of them require carb removal and dissassembly, so have it all done.

 

[180shabah]

Re: 4.3 flooding?

CRAP!!!! I over looked the obvious, there is a clear hose from the fuel pump uop to the carb. Is ther gas in it?

If yes, then the problem is a ruptured diaphram in the fuel pump.
If no, then we go back to carb issue.

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: 4.3 flooding?

Thanks guys...seems the issue as best we can determine at the moment is pretty much straight forward.

I'll check out the fuel in the clear line.

Today was hot and beautiful - too bad I'm landlocked.

What would one expect to pay for a carb rebuild?

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: 4.3 flooding?

yep paul... either float valve or diaphram in fuel pump.... my bet is the first in which case a carb rebild is in order as stated above

 

[paulspaddle]

Re: 4.3 flooding?

yep paul... either float valve or diaphram in fuel pump.... my bet is the first in which case a carb rebild is in order as stated above

Hey, thanks for checking here also....