Mercruiser 3.0 - Electric and starting problems

[Jonatande]

I am a new boat owner as bought a Bella Mercruiser 3.0 TKI 2008 for 1 month ago but nothing but problems.

1. During my first ride the engine completely stopped when activating the trim tabs and wouldnt start again, I heard the little start engine sound initially but that also disappeared. Next day I went down and pushed something in the Switch and suddenly it came alive again. I subsequently successfully started the boat the following days and even tested the trim planes frequently without issues. and engine running.
2. I eventually found out that the battery switch was activated during both ON and OFF - for instance windshield wipers and radio seemed to be working nonetheless. The two batteries onboard was also connected to a M-ACR which in turn was connected to a orange switcher in the battery room. By turning off the orange switcher AND turning off battery switch - all electricity would be disable. A bit strange solution but talked to previous who had no problem with it.
3. Today - after not starting the engine for 2 weeks - I ran the bilge blowers 3-4 minutes in heavy rain but not more. I turned the key to start but the engine just sounded little puff and died. Then wouldn't start again - sometimes the pre-start sound came on and sometimes.

BIG QUESTION NOW: Did a accidentality blow something up in the engine? And is this connected to problem 1? Or have I now made myself TWO problems...

 

[Rick Stephens]

I'd be pretty confident you didn't blow up the engine. Sounds like you need to do all the maintenance on a new to you boat that was neglected by the previous owner (Always true - people do not do the maintenance required when they lose interest in a particular boat).

Start at the beginning and work your way through not just the motor, but the whole boat.

Do a compression check. Inspect the spark plugs to see what condition they are when it won't start. Are they wet, or dry as a bone?

This is all basic stuff. Yes, you need to figure out what all the electrical system is jimmy jangled into a weird configuration. Personally, I'd take it back to a stock or at least a simpler layout.

 

[Scott06]

Ricks right start with some basic maintenance. Likely you have ab electrical problem possibly related to the second battery and switch, which may have not been installed correctly.

When it died on the water it tripped the 50 amp breaker which kills power to the engine and the helm. There is probably a reason why the breaker tripped.

Are there a bunch of added accessories like stereo etc that require a second battery?

Bottom line if you aren't that experienced on boat mechanicals might be good to find a friend who can walk you through or a mechanic to spend some time getting it up to a good baseline so you can enjoy the summer. At least verify the battery switch is installed correctly and how to operate it and have the batteries load tested.

Also never once heard the previous owner ever had problems with a boat....

 

[Bondo]

I am a new boat owner as bought a Bella Mercruiser 3.0 TKI 2008 for 1 month ago but nothing but problems.

1. During my first ride the engine completely stopped when activating the trim tabs and wouldnt start again, I heard the little start engine sound initially but that also disappeared. Next day I went down and pushed something in the Switch and suddenly it came alive again. I subsequently successfully started the boat the following days and even tested the trim planes frequently without issues. and engine running.
2. I eventually found out that the battery switch was activated during both ON and OFF - for instance windshield wipers and radio seemed to be working nonetheless. The two batteries onboard was also connected to a M-ACR which in turn was connected to a orange switcher in the battery room. By turning off the orange switcher AND turning off battery switch - all electricity would be disable. A bit strange solution but talked to previous who had no problem with it.
3. Today - after not starting the engine for 2 weeks - I ran the bilge blowers 3-4 minutes in heavy rain but not more. I turned the key to start but the engine just sounded little puff and died. Then wouldn't start again - sometimes the pre-start sound came on and sometimes.

BIG QUESTION NOW: Did a accidentality blow something up in the engine? And is this connected to problem 1? Or have I now made myself TWO problems...

Ayuh,..... Welcome Aboard,...... With all those batteries, 'n switches, I'm bettin' ya just got abit of corrosion goin' on in one or more of all those connections,......

I'd start at the batteries, 'n clean to shiny metal Clean, at all the battery connections,.....
Then the other ends of those battery cables,...... on to the rest of the various connections,......
Payin' special attention to all the Grounds,....