Gas or coil? bogged down then wont start.

duster22

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 9, 2009
Messages
40
I have a 1983 Mercruiser 140 3.0 181. I had a half a tank and filled it up at a gas station that doesn't look like its used alot. it started fine ran for about 5 mins idle. Took it out right as i get out the harbour it bogs down and wont start again. It feels and sounds like it wants to but it wont run. any suggestions?

Also i took a sample of the fuel looks yellow? shouldnt it be clear?

thanks Ryan
 

TowRoper

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 24, 2009
Messages
302
Re: Gas or coil? bogged down then wont start.

slight yellow is OK, if you have a fuel/water separator drain it in a jar and see if it has water in it if it does let it fill a few times and also drain the float bowl (check float level very important for wot) and fuel lines replace filters also, look at your plugs also if they are wet it could be running to rich. these are where I would start.
 

duster22

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 9, 2009
Messages
40
Re: Gas or coil? bogged down then wont start.

i dont think i have a fuel/water seperator. i will check all these and update tm.
 

duster22

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 9, 2009
Messages
40
Re: Gas or coil? bogged down then wont start.

just replaced the coil. Still nothing. It feels like it has spark but wont ignite.
 

TowRoper

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 24, 2009
Messages
302
Re: Gas or coil? bogged down then wont start.

sigh.... that was a wast of cash unless you had one laying around...you already had spark its a matter of getting the air fuel mix into the cyl oh well best of luck to ya!
 

fat fanny

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Feb 9, 2006
Messages
1,935
Re: Gas or coil? bogged down then wont start.

Check you lanyard (kill switch) jog it a few times and then start checking all electrical connetctions clean and tighten do a continuity check on all plug wires most likely dealing with an electrical issue. Don't start dumping money into her until you check all the most inexspensive issues first troubleshooting will save you some grief and money as well as educate you go to the stickies section and pick your poison in the list of symptoms. Good luck!!!
 

TheSeasLife

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 23, 2009
Messages
102
Re: Gas or coil? bogged down then wont start.

I have an 85 searay w/twin 165's. I have the same problem. Boat ran great, bogged down and haven't been able to start since. But spark is yellow not blue. Seeing I am new to boats where would I find the lanyard switch? Is it he red button mounted to back of motor?

Duster22, I will keep working on mine and let you know what I get and what I did. Please do same.
 

marlboro180

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 23, 2009
Messages
1,164
Re: Gas or coil? bogged down then wont start.

I have a 1983 Mercruiser 140 3.0 181. I had a half a tank and filled it up at a gas station that doesn't look like its used alot. it started fine ran for about 5 mins idle. Took it out right as i get out the harbour it bogs down and wont start again. It feels and sounds like it wants to but it wont run. any suggestions?

Also i took a sample of the fuel looks yellow? shouldnt it be clear?

thanks Ryan

It should be nearly clear.

How yellow? Is it amber like a beer or the translucent almost fluorescent yellow color of on- road diesel? :eek:How much did you add?With half a tank, about 10 gal? What's it smell like? Is it oily?
 

TheSeasLife

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 23, 2009
Messages
102
Re: Gas or coil? bogged down then wont start.

I was reading up on lanyard. It kills the power supply. Would we even get spark if the lanyard was disconnected or not working? I believe he is getting spark, just not starting.
 
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duster22

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 9, 2009
Messages
40
Re: Gas or coil? bogged down then wont start.

Hey guys i fixed it! it was as easy as a blown fuse. Thanks for all the help and i hope you get yours fixed up.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Gas or coil? bogged down then wont start.

Blown fuse for what?
 

TheSeasLife

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 23, 2009
Messages
102
Re: Gas or coil? bogged down then wont start.

Duster22, where did you find the fuse. I looked at all fuses (so I thought) in mine. Did you smell fuel badlty when trying to start it after it stalled? I have spark, compression, and to much fuel. Hopefully I have same outcome since problem was similiar.
 
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duster22

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 9, 2009
Messages
40
Re: Gas or coil? bogged down then wont start.

the fuse was for my gauges as what i can see but may control something esle? i dont know. But i would check all your fuses closely and see if they are broken
 

wca_tim

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
May 28, 2007
Messages
1,708
Re: Gas or coil? bogged down then wont start.

I have a 1983 Mercruiser 140 3.0 181. I had a half a tank and filled it up at a gas station that doesn't look like its used alot. it started fine ran for about 5 mins idle. Took it out right as i get out the harbour it bogs down and wont start again. It feels and sounds like it wants to but it wont run. any suggestions?

Also i took a sample of the fuel looks yellow? shouldnt it be clear?

thanks Ryan

I had some yellow gas the other week. My understanding is that sometimes gasoline is dyed for tax purposes, to denote something like sulphur content or to help find leaks, etc... what I'm talking about was bright yellow... and it burned fine. after I skimmed the water off out of the tank and fuel system... NO idea if related. but stranger things have happened. look for water..
 

TheSeasLife

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Aug 23, 2009
Messages
102
Re: Gas or coil? bogged down then wont start.

the fuse was for my gauges as what i can see but may control something esle? i dont know. But i would check all your fuses closely and see if they are broken

I will do that. But before you found problem were you smelling gas while cranking motor?
 

duster22

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jul 9, 2009
Messages
40
Re: Gas or coil? bogged down then wont start.

you mean in the air? maybe because it was getting flooded. and it would burn alot while cranking with starter.
 
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