Mark in NC
New Member
- Jun 13, 2023
- 23
- Boat Info
- 2003 Bow Rider 182
- Engines
- 4.3l Mercruiser Alpha
Started to winterize the boat. It is 2003. The motor is 4.3 with a tag on the block that says Serial Number M377272 Mercury Marine Brunswick Corp. Fon Du Lac WI.
It started and ran for a short time then abruptly quit. I suspected electrical problems since it just quit like turning key off.
First attempt to repair was replacing the coil. No change. I replaced the coil lead from coil to distributor as well since old was was stuck in coil and was damaged from trying to remove it. I looked at distributor cap and found a lot of carbon build up on each of the rotor buttons.
I removed a spark plug and found it to be very black but not oil covered, like it was running very rich. I tried to see a spark but never was able to see this by grounding plug on block.
Does anyone have suggestions for replacing the distributor cap, high tension leads and spark plugs? Is there any difference for a marine component as compared with standard ignition components?
This motor was dieseling when the key was turned off during the summer which I felt indicated a rich running condition but it never had trouble starting. Thanks for any suggestions.
It started and ran for a short time then abruptly quit. I suspected electrical problems since it just quit like turning key off.
First attempt to repair was replacing the coil. No change. I replaced the coil lead from coil to distributor as well since old was was stuck in coil and was damaged from trying to remove it. I looked at distributor cap and found a lot of carbon build up on each of the rotor buttons.
I removed a spark plug and found it to be very black but not oil covered, like it was running very rich. I tried to see a spark but never was able to see this by grounding plug on block.
Does anyone have suggestions for replacing the distributor cap, high tension leads and spark plugs? Is there any difference for a marine component as compared with standard ignition components?
This motor was dieseling when the key was turned off during the summer which I felt indicated a rich running condition but it never had trouble starting. Thanks for any suggestions.