[ash.hurley]

Hi guys, this is the first time I’ve ever posted in one of these groups. Hope it works 🤷🏽*♂️

So yesterday I bought a 2008 Mariah 180SX with the 190hp 3.0 murcruiser engine in it.

The boat was serviced with carb kit, new fuel filter, new starter, new battery two weeks ago ready for the season.

The boat was running fine when I viewed it so handed over the cash and drove 4.5 hours home. Loaded it up today and drove down to the coast to use it. On the way down I filled it up with optimax unleaded (which is what I’ve always used on my boats) it was filled to the brim then drove it two hours down to Devon.
Got it in the water and it took a few turns to start but then fired up and seemed okay. I sorted my mooring out and drove it 80m to my spot. It seemed to be driving to quick for the lowest throttle settling.

When I got on my mooring I realised I forgot to put the two blue hoses on and there was a small amount of water in the boat. So connected them up and turned on the bilge pump to clear. Then headed out to see. The boat stalled a couple of times then as I got out into the open ocean and went to open the throttle it stalled and wouldn’t start. I ended up having to get towed back in. The boat smelt of fuel and wouldn’t start for the rest of the day.

Has anyone else had this issue and how do I fix it?

Please help as there is no marine engineers available until next week 😩


Thanks
Ash

[mikeyt]

190hp in a 3.0L ? I dont think so. It's a 135 hp engine.

I'm not sure what you meant by 'the two blue hoses' but i dont think it has anything to do with the boat not starting.

As for the fuel supply situation, it sounds like something (ie float) is sticking; power piston isn't seating properly or has failed within the carburetor or possibly the fuel pump diaphram has failed. In any event it likely means you will need to remove and check that carb work again.

I hope you are running the bilge blower faithfully whenever you try to start that boat.

[ash.hurley]

Yes the blower was on. Still smelt like a explosion waiting to happen


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[ash.hurley]

There’s a spark and good fuel but still not starting. Any more suggestions ?


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[mikeyt]

Yep. Is the kill switch in the 'On' position? It wouldn't be the first time I've seen that happen.

If you are getting fuel and seeing spark at all four plugs but smelling a lot of gas then the engine is flooded and it wont start. Take out the plugs & clean them, spray a little carb cleaner into the carb, let it sit for 15 mins or so and then try it again. I still think your issue is with your carb rebuild and either a float is sticking or a needle valve.

If all else fails, take the throttle control apart and remove the 2 wires from the kill switch and join them together. If it starts then you have a faulty kill switch.