stalls after 3 seconds

[b0mbtrack]

Here is the whole story
I took the engine out of the boat to change the manifolds and risers, which i did and everything went easily. I started the engine in the shop to make sure there were no leaks or anything and it ran fine. I put the engine back in the boat and it ran for about 3-4 minutes then stalled. Now when i try to start the engine it only runs for about 3 seconds before it stalls. At first i thought i was loosing ignition but i tested it at the solenoid and that seems fine.
The only other thing i can think of is some bad fuel. The engine was out for about 4 months before i put it back into the boat so that is some time for the fuel to sit there. I think it might be bad fuel because when i first put it in the boat it ran for a few minutes which would have been about the right time to empty the carburator.
Anyone think of anything else that this might be?

 

[Coors]

Re: stalls after 3 seconds

what engine? etc

 

[Don S]

Re: stalls after 3 seconds

At first i thought i was loosing ignition but i tested it at the solenoid and that seems fine.

You can't check the ignition at a solenoid, so what did you test?

What kind of engine is this, you have no year, make, model, or anything.

Fuel doesn't go bad in 4 months.

 

[b0mbtrack]

Re: stalls after 3 seconds

I put the volt meter up to the positive side of the solenoid and turned the key switch on to make sure it had its 12volts which it did. I did that because I thought since it was working fine outside the boat a wire might be bad somewhere from the keyswitch back to the engine. I didn't think it would be important to check for spark because i know it just had that when i was running the engine outside the boat.

As far as the fuel going bad i'm not 100% sure how long the fuel was in there prior to removing the engine, and being from ny i know they add all that crap in it up here.

The engine is a v-8 carbed with a conventional ignition alpha drive. I'm sorry i don't know any other info about it.

 

[Bondo]

Re: stalls after 3 seconds

Check for voltage at the (+) side of the Coil,+ Spark at the Plugs.........

It Might be fuel related,..... But it Sounds more like Ignition to me......

 

[b0mbtrack]

Re: stalls after 3 seconds

I'm sorry i kept saying solenoid went i meant to say coil. I was checking at the positive side of the coil not the solenoid.

 

[Coors]

Re: stalls after 3 seconds

sounds like 12v at crank, but none at purple wire-

 

[b0mbtrack]

Re: stalls after 3 seconds

i am getting it at the purple wire at the coil

 

[Don S]

Re: stalls after 3 seconds

turned the key switch on to make sure it had its 12volts which it did.

Was this test in the start position or the run position? Makes a big difference
(See Coors post)
If you think it's a fuel problem, just hook up a remote tank (such as an outboard tank) and see if it runs.

 

[b0mbtrack]

Re: stalls after 3 seconds

it was in the run position, had 12v (at + of coil). I then started it and it stayed at 12v, the enginve died after three seconds but the 12v never went away.
Thanks for the help, i will try that remote tank to see what happens.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: stalls after 3 seconds

Does it have an electric fuel pump or a mechanical fuel pump ?

If it's electrical, the pump may only be running while your cranking the engine. Check the wires on the oil pressure switch.

 

[Don S]

Re: stalls after 3 seconds

RP, any Merc engine with electric fuel pumps does not have conventional (aka points type) ignition. They have Thunderbolt electronic ign.
Even if it did have an electric fuel pump, it would run for 20 to 30 seconds before it ran out of gas that was in the carb.

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: stalls after 3 seconds

Read right over "conventional". I was also thinking maybe some people tell time like they measure.

 

[Don S]

Re: stalls after 3 seconds

I was also thinking maybe some people tell time like they measure.

Very True, Very True........... What was I thinking