Mercruiser 188 hp/888 starts but will not stay running

Discussion in 'Sterndrives' started by holorinhal, May 14, 2009.

  1. holorinhal
    Joined: May 2009
    Posts: 25
    Likes: 0, Points: 1, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: las vegas

    holorinhal Junior Member

    I have just inherited a 1974 25 ft Wellcraft Nova with twin Mercruiser 188 hp/ 888 outdrives. The engines are 302 ford's.
    The boat was last out on the water last summer.
    I am trying to get the engines running good. The engines will fire right up with starting fluid, but they will not stay running. I am guessing a fuel problem.
    Does any one have any sugestions as to things to check out?
    Can I replace the Mechanical fuel pumps with any fuel pump for a 302 from the Auto parts? Any help is appreciated!..

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  2. holorinhal
    Joined: May 2009
    Posts: 25
    Likes: 0, Points: 1, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: las vegas

    holorinhal Junior Member

    I got the port side engine running fairly smoothly, bog down when throtle is advanced fast, but runs up fine when throtled slowly.
    The starbord side engine I took loose the fuel line from the carb and turned over the engine and no fuel is getting to the carb?
     
  3. mudman
    Joined: Mar 2007
    Posts: 88
    Likes: 5, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 72
    Location: Madisonville, LA

    mudman Junior Member

    Got some gremlins in your engines?
    Certainly sounds like fuel. If the engines have not been run in a year, then the carbs may need a good cleaning. Check fuel pump and fuel filters. All hoses are in good shape? Just a small hole in a hose can cause the pump to suck air instead of fuel and you may not see a fuel leak.

    Check fuel tank connections and the down tube in the fuel tank. If that has corrosion or a hole, then the pumps will certainly suck air.

    With a fuel problem, I usually start at the fuel tank and work my way to the engine, using the process of elimination.

    Good luck, You'll find it.
     
  4. PAR
    Joined: Nov 2003
    Posts: 19,126
    Likes: 498, Points: 93, Legacy Rep: 3967
    Location: Eustis, FL

    PAR Yacht Designer/Builder

    Varnished up low speed jets. Toss a rebuild kit into each carb after a complete cleaning, and she'll likely run fine.
     
  5. holorinhal
    Joined: May 2009
    Posts: 25
    Likes: 0, Points: 1, Legacy Rep: 10
    Location: las vegas

    holorinhal Junior Member

    Got em Purring

    I finnally got the engines to run on their own and idle nicely.
    It was a fuel issue. Was not getting fuel up to the carbs. conected a hand primmer bulb pump to the tank and got the fuel flowing. after the fuel was to the carbs they fired right up.
    I ran a bottle of seafoam thru the fuel system to clean things up.
    Thanks for the replys....Hal
     

  6. fasteddy106
    Joined: Apr 2009
    Posts: 72
    Likes: 17, Points: 0, Legacy Rep: 171
    Location: connecticut

    fasteddy106 Junior Member

    There is a fairly new product out called Octi-plus by Wellworth Industries. It handles all of the fuel contamination/storage issues that are common to marine gas engines. I started using it after the change to 10% enthanol gas occured in the northeast with all it resulting problems. I'm happy with the results, you can check out the company here.............


    http://www.wellworthproducts.com/news.htm


    Btw, we also install it at our shop on all of the cars that come in for a 30,000 mile service. Handles dirty injector issues without expensive cleaning or replacement and is safe for carbs also.
     
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