Mercruiser 4.3L Stalls

[Dennisjr13]

Mercruiser 4.3L with an Alpha I outdrive stalls every time when put in gear. I replaced plugs, wires, distributor cap and rotor. Last season it only stalled when put in reverse. This season it is stalling in forward and reverse. It idles fine in neutral.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3L Stalls

You may need a lower shift cable. More info like "year" would help. Not all drives and systems are the same.

 

[Dennisjr13]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3L Stalls

It is a 1994 V6 18 foot Sea Ray. It runs fine at idle, but dies when it is put into gear. It stays in gear after it dies and takes a little coaxing to get it back into neutral.

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3L Stalls

Yea, sounds like you are in need of a lower shift cable. You have an Alpha I Gen II outdrive. Disconnect the shift interrupt switch while running on muffs, and shift forward, reverse, and back to neutral , if it doesn't die, 90% probablility it's the cable causing the problem. Troubleshooting section of the manual will help, if you need to replace the cable, see secion 4A of the OEM manual
Here is a link to that oem service manual.
http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/SERVICE/CRUISER/Servmanl/14/14cover.pdf

 

[Dennisjr13]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3L Stalls

Thank you. I will definitely try that tomorrow when the sun makes it's way back up.

 

[Dennisjr13]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3L Stalls

Ok, tested it half an hour ago with the muffs on in the driveway. I disconnected the shift interrupt switch and tried forward and it worked fine. I did not shift back into neutral with the shift interrupt switch disconnected as I had read here not to do so.

I also don't think I have the experience to fix this myself and was wondering about how much would it cost to get it fixed by a mechanic. I plan on bringing the boat to Ocean Performance as they have done a good job in the past.

 

[Dakota47]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3L Stalls

About $350-$450

 

[Don S]

Re: Mercruiser 4.3L Stalls

I did not shift back into neutral with the shift interrupt switch disconnected as I had read here not to do so.

That's only if in the water and there is resistance on the prop. When on muffs and out of the water, it doesn't matter.

about how much would it cost to get it fixed by a mechanic. I plan on bringing the boat to Ocean Performance as they have done a good job in the past.

I would strongly suggest you ask Ocean Perfomance how much they charge. They may not base their rates on what someone on this forum says it should be.