First time in 20 years...no start

[fishmonger3483]

Hey guys, I have a 1991 Spectrum with a Mercruiser 3.0L alpha one. My father bought the boat in 1990 and we have had it since. He passed away a few years ago so it's now my boat. I've been around since day 1 helping him winterize it etc and I've been doing it every year with no problem. When I put it in the water in the spring it always fires up right away but this year it was different. It cranked and cranked but didn't even seem like it wanted to start. I pulled the plugs after a while and the # 1 and # 3 cylinder plugs were dry while the # 2 and # 4 were wet. Cleaned the wet ones and put them back in and cranked again with the same results (only 2 plugs wet). Pulled the bowl at the fuel pump off to find a weird type of filter ( I think it's a filter but it's almost like the texture of a rock) cleaned all that up and put it back in) but still the same results. Pulled the dipstick, oil is clean and clear but smells like gas. I'm not sure where to go from here so thats why I'm here asking for some advice. I can't figure out why fuel is only going to 2 cylinders. On a 2 barrel carb, does 1 barrel feed the # 1 and # 3 cylinders while the other feeds the other two? If thats the case I'll assume it's a problem with that side of the carb. I didn't have a compression tester so i couldn't check the compression but that's my next idea. Any one have any idea what the compression should be at?

Anyways as I mentioned I've never had any problems with this boat and neither did my father. The only thing I could think was last year there was a bit of hesitation off take off. I was planning on doing a tune up this year (cap, rotor, points, condensor, plugs wires etc) but I have to get this fixed first.

I never ended up checking for spark (figured there was no use since only 2 cylinders were getting fuel) but what is the easiest way to check for spark?


I'm just hoping someone has had something similar happen to them or have some advice on where to go from here. My worst fear is is that the block or something cracked.

 

[fat fanny]

Re: First time in 20 years...no start

Well if you have had that boat that long and never tuned it up and now it doesn't want to start! I uess it's time and I suggest you do the whole shooting match and then try your luck. Go up to the top of this forum and the 1st thread is called adults only download the service manual for your engine and outdrive (thanx to DonS) and after reading that I believe you will be enlightened on a great many unknowns to boat maintenance and it read all the trouble shooting info while your in there you'll need it and it's very educational and will save you ton's of money in maintenance costs everything in there can be done by yourself and before you know it you will be on here everyday just like the rest of us!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[fishmonger3483]

Re: First time in 20 years...no start

Well I never did mention it in my post, but yes I have had it for 20 years this summer, and yes I have done regular tune-ups on it. (usually every 3-4 years I do the cap, rotor, plugs, wires, points condensor etc) so it's not from lack of maintenance. I'm just curious as to what could cause only the # 1 and # 3 cylinders to not receive fuel. I checked the cap and rotor and all that and they arent' even in bad condition but once I get it going again I'll be doing it because it's been 3 years now since I've done it.