Problems starting 4.3L Mercruiser

[19woodchuck64]

I took my boat out of the water Saturday. I have been having problems starting it the last month of the summer and this day was the same thing. I have a 1997 Sea Ray 185 BR with a 4.3L Mercruiser in it. When I tried to start the boat Saturday I pumped the throttle and turned the key and it turned over breifly but I didn't rev the engine and it killed. I tried to get it started again for about 30 minutes by pumping the throttle and opening the carburator to get more air in the engine and nothing worked. I looked into the carb and you couldn't see any gas going into the carb. I tried some starter fluid and it would almost start and then nothing. Finally, after I was going to give up, it started right up and warmed the engine and I put the boat on the trailer and pulled it out of the water. I took it to a guy who winterizes it for me and explained my problem and he said he would look at it. He called me back and said I have an electric fuel pump that is bad and I need to replace it. Does this sound correct? Has anyone else had this same problem with this motor and how did you fix it? Also, what should a new fuel pump cost to replace and is there another way to fix this problem?

 

[No Name Sea Ray]

Yes that sounds legit. I had a Maxum with the 4.3 with similar problems.

The fuel pump is a little round cartridge about 3" high and 1 to 1-1/2" diameter on the front of the engine. Has fuel tubing and a wire harness going to it. Easy enough to change out if you are handy.

It cost about $75 10 years ago. Not sure how much now.

 

[19woodchuck64]

Does anyone know what the cost to replace a fuel filter would be on this?

 

[tdappleman]

If your 4.3's are similar to mine you will have a fuel/water sep and then a filter screen at the fuel inlet on the carb. The fuel/water filter is about $8 at Walmart and the filter screen on the carb is a reusable one and will just need to be cleaned. The fuel pumps definitely go bad - but before you replace it, make sure you have power going to it. The oil pressure switch can go bad and is part of that 12v circuit.