Mercruiser 3.0 Alpha One Trouble Starting

[Kasdanh]

Hey everyone!

So since I go the 1996 Bayliner 1750 last year it has been hard to start, but always ended up getting going. After taking it out last weekend for the first time this year, we started it up with the muffs in the driveway and fired right up on about the third crank. Great, so we go out to lake pleasant and low and behold, she won't start. After a few minutes of cranking and trying, the battery dies. ugggh. So we ended up jumping it with the jeep and got it running eventually.

Anyways, any ideas about how to get it to fire up right off the bat? It should start right up but definitely doesn't. It also does the same thing if we are out in a cove and have it turned off for over 30 minutes. Takes forever cranking for it to finally start up.

Any ideas? Carb work? choke problems?

Thanks!

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 Alpha One Trouble Starting

Describe exactly what procedures you use to start your engine.

 

[havasuboatman]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 Alpha One Trouble Starting

When it does start, do you get a big black cloud out the exhaust? a strong smell of raw fuel, maybe?

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 Alpha One Trouble Starting

What yourgonna hear from most of us 1st is fulll tune up wires,plugs,cap,rotor,fluids,filters and timming check (also verify it's advancing, then clean and tighten all electrical connections. But I had this issue last year on my 3.0 LX ( 96 ) and rebuilt the carb and made sure the chake was adjusted properly also make sure all your fuel filters have been replaced and all lines blew out pull the siphon tube out of the tank and clean the screen at the bottom and verify the anti siphon valve is functioning and not clogged then make sure the vent to the tank has no obstructions. But before you do all this go up to the top of this forum and open the adults only tab and download the service manual for your engine and read it cover to cover it's free thanks to Don,S . Good luck!

 

[victorc1]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 Alpha One Trouble Starting

The engine of a boat always starts right up at your house, its when you bring it to the water that they don't start. I t could be a gas flooding problem.

 

[littlebookworm]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 Alpha One Trouble Starting

Fat fanny summed up everything you're going to hear here. Sooo, do a tuneup, change your filters, check your choke, and see how it runs. Whether yes or no, get back to us and let us know. Good luck. Hy

 

[Plasma George]

Re: Mercruiser 3.0 Alpha One Trouble Starting

I had the exact same issue with my 3.0 bought Aug last year. The previous owner did say he did nothing as far as tuneup, adjustments, etc. He only had it 1 year from the original owner.

My mechanic went over it and said the timing was way off, and the choke needed adjustment. Now he says it starts on the 2-3 cranks no matter cold or hot.

The cranking is embarrassing at the dock, and a dead battery would be awful on the water. Glad no more.