Mercruiser Alpha One 3.0 L engine stalls in gear

[trmahoney01]

Okay so I just got my new (to me) '92 Bayliner back from the shop. Took it in because it was stuck in forward gear thanks to some bad repairs by the previous owner. First day out on the water, it ran pretty good. Didn't open it up too much, just wanted to take it out on the water to make sure she was working fine. The next day, we took it out and ran it pretty close to full throttle, no issues to report. But then when we were getting close to the dock / in the no wake zone, we pulled the throttle to slow down and the engine died. It started back up, and then died again in the same configuration, eventually flooding and then not re-starting, leaving us stranded (embarrassing!!!).

The next day, I started it up on the muffs, let it run for awhile, adjusting the speeds while in neutral. The engine ran fine and showed no signs of quitting. I also replaced the fuel filter and the strainer near the carb (lots of junk in the strainer). The next day, we took it out again, didn't run it very hard, but still encountered the engine-dying issues.

I have been browsing the forums, but most issues when the engine quitting seem to be happening while shifting in and out of gear, so I am a little stumped by this one. Any help and advice as to what to look for would be appreciated!

- Tom

 

[dusted_ya]

Could be a bad lower shift cable, timing could be wrong, carb could be set wrong and running too rich, carb jets could be partially clogged due to bad fuel / crud in tank or even a clogged breather line for the fuel tank.

 

[alldodge]

replaced the fuel filter and the strainer near the carb (lots of junk in the strainer).

Could be the shift interrupter switch adjustment but the flooding and the comment about flooding, and junk in the strainer, I would say you have crud in the carb issue. Need to flush the system out, change the filter enough to clean out the stuff. Being a 1992, you probably have the filter as part of the pump. the issue with this filter is its not that good.

Do you have the strainer in the carb installed in the right way?
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/30914/1604/120

 

[SSTKO81]

Sounds like a badly adjusted or bound lower shift cable. Mine did this for years until I replaced the cable.

 

[trmahoney01]

Do you have the strainer in the carb installed in the right way?
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/s...30914/1604/120

Appears from the diagram that the solid end of the strainer should be pushing against the spring, correct? That is the way it was installed when I took it apart for the first time, so I re-installed it the same way / seems correct to me

Also, yes, the filter was at the pump and I replaced it. It was an older style filter, solid, maybe pumice? I replaced it with a paper filter.

 

[trmahoney01]

Could be the shift interrupter switch adjustment but the flooding and the comment about flooding, and junk in the strainer, I would say you have crud in the carb issue. Need to flush the system out, change the filter enough to clean out the stuff.

Is there a way to flush the system other than running the engine till the tank is empty?

 

[dusted_ya]

I'd install a Moeller spin on filter and add Startron fuel treatment to your tank. Should solve your fuel issues.

 

[alldodge]

Appears from the diagram that the solid end of the strainer should be pushing against the spring, correct? That is the way it was installed when I took it apart for the first time, so I re-installed it the same way / seems correct to me

Also, yes, the filter was at the pump and I replaced it. It was an older style filter, solid, maybe pumice? I replaced it with a paper filter.

Yes, BUT needs to change a bit. The original design the carbs used pumice or stone type filters and the spring is on the carb side. When changed to paper or later strainers, the spring goes on the nut side.

To flush line I would remove from carb and pump, then blow out with air. Would also remove the pump and fuel line to the tank and clean them. Pump some fuel or diesel thru the pump. Any diesel left behind will not have an issue with running, and diesel is safer to use and will not hurt your skin.

Your getting crud past the filter in the pump, so the best thing would be to install a canister filer before the pump, and remove the filter from the pump. The canister filter will need to be installed no higher then the top of the tank.