Troubleshooting engine that won't start-mixed 87/89 octane?

[Anthonym2]

Hi All,

I started by boat today (1980 Baretta 140 hr I/O Mercruiser), and noticed it was running a little rough at idle. I decided not to take the family out and went back later. It had trouble starting, and I had to give it some gas to get it to run....once I did it ran rough again at idle for about a minitue and then quit. Now it won't start. I think I mixed 87/89 octane the last time I put another 5 gallons or so of gas in it. Is there any chance that would cause a problem? A new carburetor was installed last year. Overall the boat is in excellent condition and was kept in a garage it's whole life, has about 700 hrs on it.

Wasn't sure if this was the best place to post this or not.

Thanks

 

[Anthonym2]

Also, I should add that I might have flooded it. Not sure if that would be the issue I'm having either.

 

[Anthonym2]

How do i move this to the I/O section?

 

[82rude]

Zero chance that 2 grades mixed together could cause your problems.Flooded perhaps?Stuck float,etc.

 

[GA_Boater]

It's moved.

The mixing gas didn't cause any trouble. How old was the gas when you had trouble starting before adding more gas?

 

[R055]

For sure not from mixing octane. All the would do it give you 88 octane gas if it was a 50/50 mix

 

[stonyloam]

Check for spark, could be points. When were they last changed?

 

[Silvertip]

Spark, fuel and air all of which must happen at the correct time. Step 1) check for spark on all cylinders, 2) does fuel squirt into the carb when you operate the throttle? 3) Air -- pretty hard not to have some. 4) Anybody messed with the distributor lately? Is the choke operating properly (not stuck shut). If it is stuck shut, you are indeed flooding the engine. Pull the plugs and see what they look like. It costs nothing to check these items. Determine which system is causing the problem and then fix it.

 

[alldodge]

Octane not the issue
You have either some bad fuel or clogged carb.

Take about one ounce of fresh gas and pour it in the throat o the carb and see if it will hit. Don't pump the throttle, just pour in and crank

 

[redmen62]

Not to ask the obvious here... but did you use it after the new carb last year?