Fearing the worst: Engine doesn't turn over

[Captain Ben]

boat sank
was pickeled (turned over by hand ok)

new alt, starter, coil, dist cap, batteries.

from sinking, connections blew off starter, so I had to guess (don't have manual yet)

Attached are pics of current wiring.

Does it look right?

When I turned the key to crank, she briefly turned over (1/2 second slow crank) (very hard), and clunked.

After another attempt, some small smoke cloud came from area of starter, so I immediately turned the batteries off.

Suddenly realizing: upon retreaving baot from shop (after the pickeled it), the plugs were left out, and they left the boat out in the rain for 4 days (pretty much constant rain) It may be partially seized from this. Possible solution: remove plugs and put some oil in each cylinder.. ?

1988 4.3L Merc

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Fearing the worst: Engine doesn't turn over

no purple wires on the neg side of the coil.
pull the plugs and try cranking it , pull the drive if not already off.

 

[Captain Ben]

Re: Fearing the worst: Engine doesn't turn over

drive is off.. should i put a little oil in each cylinder before turning over with spark plugs out?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Fearing the worst: Engine doesn't turn over

ATF or Marvel Mystery Oil

 

[JustJason]

Re: Fearing the worst: Engine doesn't turn over

it doesn't matter if you put oil in the cylinders or not. If you've pulled the drive, pulled the spark plugs, and cannot easily turn the motor over by hand or with a starter motor you have bigger problems.

 

[Philster]

Re: Fearing the worst: Engine doesn't turn over

Suddenly realizing: upon retreaving baot from shop (after the pickeled it), the plugs were left out, and they left the boat out in the rain for 4 days (pretty much constant rain) It may be partially seized from this. Possible solution: remove plugs and put some oil in each cylinder.. ?

1988 4.3L Merc

>My friend, you have to document this immediately. The mechanic/shop is responsible.

>If you are using an insurance company, notify them now. I'd raise the issue w/ the shop management, as you should...

>and if they do not acknowledge there negligence, I'd be in court.

Speak with shop owner or management. Notify insurance company.

>Take pics.

>Contact local/state consumer affairs office (or attorney general's consumer assistance department) in hopes of mediation.

>But be prepared to go to court. If possible, ask a marine surveyor (maybe insurance company will assign one) and...

>have a pro confirm that what the shop did was pure, unmitigated negligence.

 

[Captain Ben]

Re: Fearing the worst: Engine doesn't turn over

Philster. Thanks.


I may just have hydro-lock here. I did not cycle engine before replacing plugs.

 

[Captain Ben]

Re: Fearing the worst: Engine doesn't turn over

plugs removed, engine turns, spits like a virgin island volcano.. red nasty diesel fuel.

cleaned plugs with eather. plugs drying. replacing with new. will try process again.

 

[jeffz0rz]

Re: Fearing the worst: Engine doesn't turn over

change your oil. run the motor for a bit, change the oil again. run the motor again, change to oil again. keep changing the oil and filters untill your dip stick is clean and not milky white. i just went through the same thing a few months ago with my motor. cover came off in the wind, 2nd cover had hole in it. air filter was off and my motor filled with water. pull plugs and cycle the motor. make sure your ignition is dead. un plug the coil. you should be able to save her.

 

[Captain Ben]

Re: Fearing the worst: Engine doesn't turn over

May need a new post, but:

poured 3-4 tablespoons of gas in the carb to prime and help get going

boat ran for about 5 seconds, and stalled out...


With new installed Sierra Fuel Water Sep:

took it off (suspect i am not getting fuel flow), and there is not gas inside (like i would expect oil in a oil filter). Does the new filter require any priming?

P.S. The oil was changed, new oil in engine. There is no milky residue at all, oil looks pretty clean (but motor has not been run but a few seconds) I will change oil after the first 1/4 tank of gas, for 2-3 repetitions.

 

[jeffz0rz]

Re: Fearing the worst: Engine doesn't turn over

make sure your fuel pump is working. yours electric or mechanical?

 

[JustJason]

Re: Fearing the worst: Engine doesn't turn over

poured 3-4 tablespoons of gas in the carb to prime and help get going

boat ran for about 5 seconds, and stalled out...


With new installed Sierra Fuel Water Sep:

The carb itself is probably full of water also. You'll have to pull the carb, dissasemble, blow it out, and re-install it. Carbs are designed to flow gasoline... not water.

 

[jeffz0rz]

Re: Fearing the worst: Engine doesn't turn over

The carb itself is probably full of water also. You'll have to pull the carb, dissasemble, blow it out, and re-install it. Carbs are designed to flow gasoline... not water.

+1. good idea.

 

[Captain Ben]

Re: Fearing the worst: Engine doesn't turn over

Mercruiser mechanic coming over tomorrow. $65/hr... I will be helping him and learning.. will take pics. Doing all bellows replacement, and water pump rebuild.

Carb will come off and I may spray it all out with carb cleaner, then soak in gas.

I will have him check all my wiring too.

 

[JustJason]

Re: Fearing the worst: Engine doesn't turn over

Carb will come off and I may spray it all out with carb cleaner, then soak in gas.

Some people like kerosene but what I do is dissasemble, soak in hot soapy (soapy with degreaser), then followed by a rinsing it hot water, then carb cleaner then compressed air.

I really wish I had an extra 800$ kicking around though so I could buy an ultrasonic machine though

 

[Alpheus]

Re: Fearing the worst: Engine doesn't turn over

You did remove that purple wire going to the (-) side of coil???

 

[Captain Ben]

Re: Fearing the worst: Engine doesn't turn over

yes, purple wires are all on positive terminal of coil now.

Carb was rebuilt.

replaced water pump and impeller (base looked fine)

replaced all bellows

Upon starting, no spark. After inspection, and mechancal agitation of ignition module (amp), boat fred up, and we ran it for about an hour on muffs.

I went out on the water yesterday with a couple other boats. Mine kept stalling (loss of spark).

I will replace the ignition module tomorrow (part 15247a1)