Port engine in 1990 310 Sundancer won't start

[Aiden]

Boat is a 1990 310 Sundancer with 4.7 Mercruiser blue water engines. Originally kept in freshwater year round just splashed her in the Chesapeake about 3 months ago (saltwater). I have only taken her on 3 cruises since I got her. On my last cruise the port engine cut it's self off and wouldn't restart. At the moment I checked the cooling system first as the guage was just on the edge of high green. Seacock valve was open strainer was clean and all hoses and clamps appeared to be in working order. Next I checked oil. Engine has both sufficient oil and sufficient transmission fluid. There are no leaks of any kind (the bilge is spotless). the engine turns over off of the starter but won't ignite on it's own. Because of this I can't get a reading off of the pressure guage on the dash. After a few days sitting the engine still won't start I suspect maybe bad fuel. Or clogged fuel filter. Or a built in safety with a faulty sensor preventing the motor from starting. Any experienced advice on where to go from here would be greatly appreciated. I'm not a huge motor head so bear with me. And thanks in advance!

 

[JHornsby3]

Well, seeing that it's a 1990, it shouldn't have all that electrical computer control stuff on it. So a basic starting point would be, does it have spark? Does it get fuel? And as it is most likely a carb on top, when was it last rebuilt? I had just gone through this with my 1992 300DA. Port motor refused to start. The carb was the issue. So I took it in and had it rebuilt by someone that knows more about them than I. So I would start with the basics. And go from there.

 

[JHornsby3]

And your talking the 7.4l right?

 

[Aiden]

And your talking the 7.4l right?

correct 4.7 l v8s

 

[Aiden]

Well, seeing that it's a 1990, it shouldn't have all that electrical computer control stuff on it. So a basic starting point would be, does it have spark? Does it get fuel? And as it is most likely a carb on top, when was it last rebuilt? I had just gone through this with my 1992 300DA. Port motor refused to start. The carb was the issue. So I took it in and had it rebuilt by someone that knows more about them than I. So I would start with the basics. And go from there.

It is a carburetor and that was where my thoughts were going too I dont know if maybe the filter is clogged i plan on looking at it when I get home from work.

 

[Wanderer 290]

Air, fuel and spark.

Check for spark.
Verify the choke butterfly is functioning properly.
Have someone pump the throttle once while you verify the accelerator pump injects fuel.

Point is one or more of the 3 components is missing,

 

[Aiden]

I realize this post is old now and the issues was corrected months ago but I wanted to give an update for closure. Turns out it was the rotor that needed to be replaced in the port engine. Thank you all for your advice and help.

 

[Nater Potater]

I realize this post is old now and the issues was corrected months ago but I wanted to give an update for closure. Turns out it was the rotor that needed to be replaced in the port engine. Thank you all for your advice and help.

Thanks so much for the update!

 

[Bt Doctur]

there is no 4.7 V8 motor You most likely have 7.4 big block gm motors

 

[Aiden]

there is no 4.7 V8 motor You most likely have 7.4 big block gm motors

They are 7.4's not 4.7's Thanks for catching that.