First start of the season - HELP!!!

[Slacker]

I brough my boat in last October to be winterized and it has sat in the garage ever since. Today I hooked up the muffs, and went to turn on the boat, but forgot to disconnect that battery so it was dead. I connected the battery up to my car battery and jumped her. She started up fine and ran for about 5 minutes. I started noticing that antifreeze coming out of the boat as it was sucking in the fresh water. Then she bogged down and died. I was able to crank the motor a few times with trying to jump it again, but it would not stay running or start for that matter. I waited about 10 minutes and tried again with no luck. She just cranks.... Please help! I am dying to take her out tomorrow. Thanks!!!

Matt

 

[chuck1]

What was your engine temp when it bogged down? Were was the antifreeze coming out of?? Did you get all the engine plugs in?

I'm sure some others will jump in, soon.

Best of luck.

 

[Slacker]

I didn't see the engine temp, but I believe there is an alarm on my boat if it gets to hot and I didn't hear anything. I did start seeing the antifreeze coming out like it was sucking in the fresh water. I would assume all the engine plugs are in...

 

[2000SEARAY280SS]

These are the things I would check, the kill switch, make sure the battery is fully charged. The engine electronics need a full 12 volts to function properly. Did you check the engine circuit breaker if you have one. Runs then stops sounds like a fuel issue.

 

[Slacker]

If a kill switch was activated would it have run at all?

The battery was deader than dead when I jumped it. You think that is a possibility? Maybe hook it up to a battery buddy over night? Or should I invest in a new battery. This one I purchased mid summer last year, so its not even a year old.

I don't know where to find my engine circuit breaker if I have one.

A fuel issue is defintely on the top of my list. Anything in particular I should check there?

 

[tobnpr]

Hmmm...
You jumped the boat's battery-I assume you removed the jumper cables once she started?

I know you say she cranked afterwards, but I'd be suspicious of the alternator. Don't suppose you got a glance at the voltmeter when it was running? If you disconnected the cables and the alternator wasn't working, she'd die in a heartbeat off an already dead battery.

I'd give it another go with a fully charged battery for the hell of it- if you get it started check the alternator output.

 

[2000SEARAY280SS]

Kill switch is an easy check and they get bumped. I think mine will crank but not start if it is switched off can remember exactly.

My engine has a little red button ½ inch in diameter on a circuit breaker on top of the manifold. I am guessing that since you had to jump a dead battery it might have tripped during one of your start attempts.

The electronics and sensors will do some strange things with low voltage at the ECM. This could cause the injectors not to fire.

I would start with a charge on the battery and try again. If it holds a charge and turns over the engine you might have some life left in it.

Here is a link to an older 4.3 MPI engine manual it goes to 2001.
http://www-alt.mercurymarine.com/mnetdata/Service/Cruiser/Servmanl/32/combined sm32.pdf
it is about 22Mb it will give you some ideas.

 

[Slacker]

Thanks everyone. I will give a few of these suggestions a shot in the AM and let you know how I make out. Very disappointed right now

 

[Slacker]

So just in case you were all wondering... I went out and bought a battery charger, charged the battery 100%, clicked the circuit reset button under the engine cover, then turned the key with no luck. Same issue... just cranks with no ignition. I'm not the most mechanical person, but I decided to take yet another peek under the engine cover just for the heck of it. I started snooping around, checking all the wires, hoses, etc. were connected properly and just before I was about to close the cover and give up I noticed a wire dangling near the fuel pump. I plugged it in and cranked her up... she started after about 3 seconds and ran like a champ.

I'm assuming the place that winterized the boat knocked the wire free... grrrrrrrr

Thanks for all your suggestions. After all it sounds like it was a fuel issue.