merc 3.0 stalls

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by jt3kids

update. got another coil today from Fays, same problem
new batt this year with all new wiring
new starter
new solenoid
new fuel/water filter yesterday
fuel additive
new wires, plugs, condenser, points, cap/rotor this year
Have done all troublshooting with hatch open.
new 130 T-stat last week
new hoses, water pump rebuild
new gimbal, U-joint, gaskets, etc lower unit

started it up right away this morning, ran fine for 10 mins, then shut off. tank vent tube clear.

I had it on a lake last friday, and it lasted for about 45 mins pulling kids on tube. Now it won't last more than 10 minutes.

If you are always using the boat in fresh water, I would UP the T-Stat to 165. Don't know what else to tell you. NB

[Winnaholic]

You really need to find out which it is, Fuel or electrical otherwise you will just be replacing good parts for a lot of $$ with no solution.

Take it out again with a can of carb cleaner or ether (be real carefull and keep fire extingisher handy), with engine hatch open run it till it stalls then give it a shot of carb cleaner or ether if it doesn't start you have an electrical problem.

If it is electrical you need to trace the power from the coil backwards to the ignition. I would bet on a older boat that if it's electrical it is corrosion or bad connection (assuming coil is good since you have already replaced it).

If it's fuel has the tank been drained, this ethanol crap has really caused a lot of similar problems on older boats. When was the last time the boat was used or run for a longer period of time, has it been sitting long?

Just one man's opinion

[Irrigation Guy]

If it's fuel related it could be the check valve fitting on the tank(easy fix). Assuming you say clear hose on vent to verify it doesn't have a low spot and fuel accumulated causing a vent issue. Open the fuel filler cap and then try it immediately after it quits.

[jt3kids]

UPDATE. I was a little wrong with what I thought I did. I didn't use an external tank until this morning. I found the problem. Something was clogging the fuel pick-up in the tank. The anti-syphon seemed fine, but I pulled out the tube from the tank ( something fell off and stayed in the tank). Maybe it was some sort of filter/screen, that was clogged. Got a new fuel pickup at Fay's, cleaned anti-syphon and worked perfect all day. On a sad not, my little 89' larson 170 is too small for this lake. It gets a little hairy out there with 8 people. I get tossed around pretty good. Looks like I'll need to upgrade next year before the family vacation. On another note ( and I'll post on another forum), but looking to head out to Weirs for a while. Where would I dock the boat for a few hours? do I have to call ahead? Is there a fee? Thanks again for all the advice

[Woodsy]

You can park at the Weirs town docks..... no fee and definitely no problem tonight. No need to call ahead.

On another note.... 8 people in a 17' boat! WOW!!!

[jt3kids]

yes. 6 of them kids. but even so, it was a struggle. the boat can do it, but the waves kill us. can't really get on plane with waves that big. just hoping to find some places to pull kids on tube for a couple hours a day. trying to stay close to the island..

[MDoug]

Originally Posted by jt3kids

yes. 6 of them kids. but even so, it was a struggle. the boat can do it, but the waves kill us. can't really get on plane with waves that big. just hoping to find some places to pull kids on tube for a couple hours a day. trying to stay close to the island..

We upgraded to a 22' C-Dory and can handle almost all conditions on the lake. A 25' would be even better, imho.

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by jt3kids

UPDATE. I was a little wrong with what I thought I did. I didn't use an external tank until this morning. I found the problem. Something was clogging the fuel pick-up in the tank. The anti-syphon seemed fine, but I pulled out the tube from the tank ( something fell off and stayed in the tank). Maybe it was some sort of filter/screen, that was clogged. Got a new fuel pickup at Fay's, cleaned anti-syphon and worked perfect all day. On a sad not, my little 89' larson 170 is too small for this lake. It gets a little hairy out there with 8 people. I get tossed around pretty good. Looks like I'll need to upgrade next year before the family vacation. On another note ( and I'll post on another forum), but looking to head out to Weirs for a while. Where would I dock the boat for a few hours? do I have to call ahead? Is there a fee? Thanks again for all the advice

Okey Dokey.... NB

[jt3kids]

Hey NB. why up the T-stat to 165?. just curious. original equipment is 130. thanks, Jim

[NoBozo]

Originally Posted by jt3kids

Hey NB. why up the T-stat to 165?. just curious. original equipment is 130. thanks, Jim

RAW water cooled boats run in salt water are usually run with a low temp T-Stat..say 140 because if you run them hotter than that (ie Raw Water Cooled) you will likely Salt Up the cooling passages in the engine which is not good.

MANY people with boats used in salt water order the boat NEW with Closed Cooling...or retrofit it soon afterward. This system is also pressurized like your car, and can run hotter without boiling the coolant. The cost used to be something like $2K or more. The engine never sees salt water....just fresh water and anti freeze in the block. There is a heat exchanger to get rid of the heat.

ALL this allows the engine to run hotter which is MUCH more efficient..AND Best of all...the engine will not wear out nearly as fast as running it COLD. Your modern automobile typically runs at 187-190 degrees F.

If your boat came with a 130* T-Stat, it may have been originally sold by a dealer near salt water.

My 1986 Mercruiser V8 is run in salt AND fresh water with a 165* T-Stat. HOWEVER: After each salt water use, the boat is hauled out on the trailer and the system is Flushed with fresh water. The boat never stays overnight in salt water.

Having the Luxury of running your boat in fresh water ALL or most of the time, it just seems logical to take advantage of that. NB

[jt3kids]

Thanks all. Just got back from vacation. The boat ran fine the rest of the week. mornings, and early evenings where the best for the little old boat. Kids still had a good time though. we got down to Alton sand bar, and up to Meredith. Didn't travel across the lake though. Maybe next year. My son was impressed with all the Formulas, Baja's, Cigarette boats. I posted a new thread on another post, but any Ideas on an upgrade for next year? I can sell mine for about 2800, and I'd invest about 5000. What can I get for about 8000, that is small enough to tow to a local lake, but also handle Winnipesaukee? Possibly a bowrider that can handle about 8 people? Thanks for any advice.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by jt3kids

Thanks all. Just got back from vacation. The boat ran fine the rest of the week. mornings, and early evenings where the best for the little old boat. Kids still had a good time though. we got down to Alton sand bar, and up to Meredith. Didn't travel across the lake though. Maybe next year. My son was impressed with all the Formulas, Baja's, Cigarette boats. I posted a new thread on another post, but any Ideas on an upgrade for next year? I can sell mine for about 2800, and I'd invest about 5000. What can I get for about 8000, that is small enough to tow to a local lake, but also handle Winnipesaukee? Possibly a bowrider that can handle about 8 people? Thanks for any advice.

I went for a spin on Winni in a 2004 Glastron 195 on Friday. Handled the wake chop pretty nicely. I imagine a 19 foot boat would be in your price range, OK for much of the lake on decent weather/low boat volume days, and still be easily trailered. Wait until after Labor day for the best prices. For the rougher days, 23 feet is about the minimum you could operate on-plane most of the time. That size represents a big jump in tow vehicle requirements and price though.

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by jt3kids

UPDATE. Got a new fuel pickup at Fay's, cleaned anti-syphon and worked perfect all day. On a sad not, my little 89' larson 170 is too small for this lake. It gets a little hairy out there with 8 people. I get tossed around pretty good. Looks like I'll need to upgrade next year before the family vacation.

Glad you got it fixed; it's good to be handy...

Sorry to say, you picked pretty much the worst possible place on the lake to vacation with a 17 foot boat. There's an awful lot of boat traffic and wake chop where you are. If you were staying in Moultonborough Bay, you'd be much happier with the boat, I suspect.