Some advice needed

[burtonrider11]

Hey everybody, new to the site, but after reading for a couple of days, this is a GREAT forum. Have already learned alot. <br /><br />Okay, my family has a 1989 Rinker 186 Captiva with a Merc 4.3LX I/O. They have pretty much given it to my wife and I. I am going to get it out of the barn, tune it, clean it and get on the water. I have some questions however. 1st one: the boat was only run once last year and the gas was old then, so whatever gas is in the tank is almost 2 years old. I believe we only have about a quarter of a tank left. I bought some octane booster to put in prior to starting it up. I will run it on the trailer tonight before we go to the lake. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to deal with the old gas? Should I just get some fresh gas and fill it up or try to get rid of all the old gas first?<br /><br />Also, last year when we had it out, it really seemed to struggle when taking off under a load. It would accelerate and then decelerate even with the throttle pushed forward. I noticed that the flame arrestor looked pretty dirty, so I am going to clean that first. I am wondering if there is anything else that I should look for? Probably a tune up is shortly in order as well. A few years ago, I did replace the fuel filter when we had a similar problem, perhaps this needs to be replaced again? Any input would be very helpful! Thanks in advance!

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Some advice needed

First off welcome to iboats. As for the old gas get rid of it before ya try and start the engine. If it was old last year yer just asking for trouble trying to run it. For the initial start up you can run off a portable tank. Just plumb it into the fuel pump. I would also add carb cleaner to the new gas. Once you get it to start I would do a complete tune up, and go through the out drive before I went to the lake. Good luck and have fun.

 

[vipzach]

Re: Some advice needed

I agree, get rid of the old gas, you will probly need to do a complete tune-up, plugs, filters, change oil in motor and outdrive, cap and rotor or points and check timing. You may even need a carb rebuild after sitting for so long. Good luck!

 

[KaGee]

Re: Some advice needed

Welcome to Iboats!<br /><br />Get yourself a quart of PRI-G (for gas), add the appropriate amount for your tank. Add fresh gas and burn it out!!! Keep a couple spare fuel filters and change out after every couple hours.<br /><br />This advise comes from a friend of mine who repairs and reconditions gas tanks for a living. <br /><br />If you are THAT concerned about it, get your friends and neighbors to come over with their gas cans and pump it out. That gas will run fine in lawn mowers. <br /><br />OK, gonna put on my FlameProof suit now!

 

[Jeff Quigley]

Re: Some advice needed

... before running any engine out of the water, remember your earmuffs! My first mistake as a boat owner. All hot-and-heavy to start her up and burned out the impellor! But I'm sure you knew that already.<br /><br />Jeff

 

[burtonrider11]

Re: Some advice needed

Thanks to everyone for the advice. Jeff, it's not that cold right now in Michigan, I don't think my ears will get that cold J/K I already have the muffs ready to go. Anybody have any good ideas how to best drain the tank? It is a 42 gallon tank and I am hopeful that it doesn't have much in it....I have some Carb cleaner in a spray can that I will be using as well to it all clean....Also, where would I find PRI-G? Thanks again for all the advice....

 

[vipzach]

Re: Some advice needed

I bought a little pump from the auto parts store that worked ok, you just feed the line to the bottom of the tank and the other line to a bucket and pump away. As for the pti-g....I have no idea. Good luck!

 

[KaGee]

Re: Some advice needed

PRI-G is available at WEST MARINE and BOAT US and a bunch of other places.<br /><br /> CHECK IT OUT <br /><br />If the tank is half or more, just add fresh gas, PRI-G for 42 gallons and run it out. Keep adding fresh gas after every run.<br /><br />What ever you do... don't dump the gas on Mother Earth!

 

[burtonrider11]

Re: Some advice needed

Alright, just went out on my lunch and got fresh oil, lower gear lube, spark plugs, PRI-G and will be getting a new fuel filter on my way home. Hopefully, should be able to fire it up tonight and get her going. I think think I am going to see how much gas I have prior to starting, as I said, I don't think there's very much....can't wait to be out on the water....Thanks again everyone!

 

[burtonrider11]

Re: Some advice needed

Okay, we have a problem and need some help! After hauling the boat home, I changed gear lube, oil, plugs, cleaned carb/flame arrestor, added fresh gas and a new battery. I turn the key and get ONE click. Nothing else. Engine does not turn over what so ever. I have voltage at starter solenoid, but starter will not engage/do anything. Any info would be helpful before my wife kicks me out of the house for having a boat that doesn't run!

 

[tommays]

Re: Some advice needed

http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=24;t=012808 <br /><br />this is the don's post my boat wont start to save you from angry wifes <br /><br /><br />tommays

 

[burtonrider11]

Re: Some advice needed

Outstanding post, I have done all the testing, it looks like I will need a new starter. Slave solenoid checks out okay and I have power at the starter solenoid. So now the question becomes: where should I look to get a new starter, how much will it cost, and is this a difficult thing to do? Can anyone direct me to a schematic of how to replace a starter? '89 4.3LX Mercruiser I/O. Thanks again to everyone's help, God (and wallet) willing, I will be on the water this summer yet!

 

[burtonrider11]

Re: Some advice needed

Okay, just pulled the starter off the motor. Pulled apart the starter motor and it looks destroyed. Corroded, wires corroded into separate pieces. Can definitely see why this didn't work....On the end of it, it is stamped Delco with a part #9000762, can I just get a standard automotive Delco starter or do I need to get a marine starter? Is there even a difference?

 

[deputydawg]

Re: Some advice needed

Go to NAPA and get a marine starter. They are supposed to hold up to the corrosive atmosphere boats are exposed to better.<br />Make sure first that your engine is free. It may also be stuck from sitting. <br />Your first post you said you added octane boost for the old gas. All octane does is control detonation. It stabilizes the flashpoint of gasoline so it burns more stable. Drain the gas and put in new, you will be much happier. At the end of the boating year add some stabil to the gas tank.

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Some advice needed

Definately get a Marine starter. They are not only supposed to handle the humid environment better, they are built to not make any sparks. It is common for flammable vapors to gather in the closely enclosed engine compartment from gas, oil and heat. This is why you have a blower, to expell these vapoer from the boat. But in the even not every vapor is expelled when you go to start your engine, you definately dont want any sparks. Since it is common for an electric motor to make a few sparks starting, the marine starter is designed to prevent this sparking during the start. Hence it is essentils for a boat to have a marine starter. In fact, should something happen due to the above mentioned condition, your insurance will not pay a cent if the starter has been replaced with something other than the marine starter recommended for your engine.

 

[milkyway]

Re: Some advice needed

Starter does not spark? I have seen my starter spark at least in 3 instances. Is this bad? What can I possibly do about it?

 

[rbezdon]

Re: Some advice needed

make sure it is a good condition Marine starter and you have the best the industry has to offer for protection in this area. Sparks, especially visible are not normal.