4.3L Mercruiser (1997) concerns/questions

[Sinko]

I have a few questions regarding my 1997 4.3 Litre Mercruiser Gen+ LXH with Alpha outdrive (205HP). I bought the boat used and it is in mint shape. The previous owner showed me the reciept for new water pump and fual pump end of last season. I had my mechanic do a once over, OK

1) After a few trips out I had the power steering pulley replaced since the original plastic one fell apart which left me dead in the water (one belt for whole system) They replaced it with a larger metal pulley and new belt to compensate. This was the upgrade Merc recommended. Took it out the first time and it started to squeek a bit. Assuming my mechanic knew what he was doing, is there any concern or is this just break in. The pulley has a bit of a natural wobble.

2) When I start the boat, I typically give it a few pumps before starting to get fuel into the system. Once started in neutral, I try to rev it up a bit to warm up but it wants to cut out (in neutral) until the motor runs a little bit, then no problem. This is from cold. Should I be concerned?

3) The motor occasionally does a bit of a spudder after I turn the ignition off (tries to run a bit more). This is when it is warm and has run at high speeds then slow down to dock type thing. What might cause that?
Alot of questions but I'm naturally concerned about being stuck out in the water with my family.

 

[mkast]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser (1997) concerns/questions

I had my mechanic do a once over, OK

What does "your mechanic" have to say about this?

 

[Sinko]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser (1997) concerns/questions

Mechanic says if squeek gets worse, bring it in. He may need to tap the pulley in place. He didn't work on it (one of his guys did). It's a hassle for me to get it to him.
For the other issues, he says could be a leaking carb but would need to see it for himself. He feels it's not a big issue. When dockingm idle a bit before shttung off.
I'm looking for some input from guys who don't have a vested intrest in making money from me.

 

[Sinko]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser (1997) concerns/questions

sorry, just noticed the quote. When my mechanic did a once over it was right when I picked it up. Ran fine and looked fine (only replaced a wire on autobilge). Not that I have a few runs under my belt, the issues become more obvious.

 

[mkast]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser (1997) concerns/questions

My bet is the mechanic's helper beat it on instead of using a press.

Maybe the shaft was bent when the original pulley decided to leave.

 

[19woodman64]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser (1997) concerns/questions

I have the same motor that you have on my boat (i've owned it for 2 years now) and I have experienced the same problems you have with yours. I had the plastic pulley break off and I was stuck in the river too but luckily the DNR showed up and towed me back to my slip. I replaced it with a new metal one using a press and everything worked great. Why would you ever make a pulley out of plastic on this motor? Gotta love engineers.

I also have a problem with the boat not starting when it is cold and sputtering when I turn the motor off. I took it to a mechanic to winterize this fall and he told me there is an electronic fuel pump in the gas line that needs to be replaced. The reason the engine wasn't starting was because the pump was not sending gas to the carburator when I turned the key and I could see this when I looked in the carb when I would try to start the engine when it was cold and there was no gas flowing in the carb. The sputtering was because the carb needed an adjustment becasue the mixture is to rich. I haven't replaced this yet but this sounds logical and I'm going to have everything fixed this spring before I put the boat back in the water.

 

[Don S]

Re: 4.3L Mercruiser (1997) concerns/questions

Welcome to iboats woodman.
Please follow our forum rules and the notice at the top of the forum, and start a new thread of your own with your questions.
That thread is from 2009, and belongs to someone else.

Thanks