boat starts but stops after 1-2 minutes-gctid818283

[cee_cee]

2000 bayliner 185 4.3l mercury mercruiser Alpha 1 225 hrs. I just got this bought and I knew the boat was sitting out unused and uncovered for a couple years hence I knew I would have a few issues. Here is the 1st one, besides this, the only other issue is the steering wheel is super tight. The boat starts right up with the new battery but after a minute or so the engine shuts off. The engine does restarts immediately after but then will shut off in the exact same way. 1. the boat has gas(probably old) 2. it has proper engine oil . I am thinking it is something simple but the manual has no info. any instruction or list i could go down and troubleshoot would be greatly appreciated. BTW when the boat is running it sounds good. UPDATE i found what seems to be a switch on motor that has oil on it. Cee Cee

[Ruffryder]

Oil pressure SWITCH feeding the electric fuel pump not closing...

Meter 12VDC at the electric fuel pump first 2 minutes while she is running.

[Pcpete]

It's on a t with the gauge sending unit, the one with two wires. You should be able to buy the merc part for around $50. It may be called a kit because the connectors have changed but the kit plugs right into everything existing. If you have a v-6 or 8, you can see the unit right below the port aft end of the exhaust manifold.

[cee_cee]

i by-passed the switch and that solved the problem, YAHhh( the engine stays running). So i went to the only place open and i picked up a switch at auto zone but it didn't work. (took a chance with auto parts). LOL Now i will have to wait for the Merc part. to arrive. Uurrr.

I appreciate both of your help so very much. now I am on to my next issue.

Steering wheel is so hard to turn, so I checked fluid and it looked milky. yuk I replaced 3 times and it still looks just a tad milky. I started boat and moved steering and it moved a little bit better. Here is my question. How can i completely remove the steering fluid before refilling. Right now i am using a Turkey type rubber baster thing i found in the kitchen. i know there has to be a better way that i can remove alllllll the fluid out so when i put new it will not mix with any residue from old fluid. Any thoughts or know how and i am ready to go do. thanx a million v6 4.3 L merc alpha 1 2000 bayliner open bow

[Pcpete]

Get a whole bunch of oil diapers, I like "oil pigs" the best, and a milk jug. Use a flare nut wrench and open one of the steering hose connections and put it in the milk jug then rotate the steering wheel a few time. You are going to Mae a mess and you might need to do it a couple fo times to get the fluid in the cylinder changed. That should help. If not, check to see if there's a tensioning nut under and forward of the steering wheel, see that it's backed off. Next test is to take the steering cable loose at the stern connection and rotate the wheel. It should move like there's nothing there. If it's still hard, replace the cable, there's no fixing it.

[Ruffryder]

That was easy.

Steering Cooler leaking...

[Pcpete]

Hmmmm, probably a good call Ryder.

[cee_cee]

thank you very much to both of you, looks like i am getting dirty today. i will be back to let you know how all the test go.

cheers to you both and hope you have a great Sunday. You have given me a good action plan for the day.

[Ruffryder]

Happy boating brother!

[cee_cee]

I am a SISTER, lady, more like a Damsel in Distress :silly: . yup getting all greasy today. i will have update when i get done today.

[Ruffryder]

Ok pretty lady :cheer:

[Chief_Alen]

Just follow the power steering hoses to the oil cooler, the cooler will be bolted to the block.

I agree the cooler is damaged probably not drained during winter layup.

[cee_cee]

good evening gentleman, Hope all is good. After doing all that you suggested on Sunday including checking the steering wheel cable which was a good call because it was bad. I ordered the parts including the cable and they came today. So first I changed the cable and boat steers with one finger. BIG SMILES ahhhh gratifying. Then replaced the oil pressure switch and put in a new fuel-water separator. That fixed the engine from shutting off after a minute. bigger smile. It runs and the steering is super easy. So back on Sunday after draining the power steering fluid and you were right, what a mess, but got it all out. I put in new fluid and I checked it today and no milky fluid. I have an extra quart in the boat - for tomorrow I am taking her out to see how she performs. I will check fluid to see if it gets milky and if it does I will change the power steering cooler asap. I also put a paddle in the boat just in case I get stuck in the middle of the lake. now I am off to shower, you can't imagine how hot and muggy it is here plus working on the engine I think I sweated a gallon. Thank you again and I will update you all tomorrow after the new prop comes in and I put that on and take this baby out. Mahalo your friend Cee Cee

[FBKboater]

I take it Lake Tholocco has water in it again. Last time I was at Mother Rucker the dam broke and you could walk across the lake.

[Pcpete]

Any sister that isn't too girly girly to get greasy is the kind I really admire. Married one over 40 years ago and raised a daughter like her mom.

During the off season, go out and turn the steering wheel back and forth a few times. It keeps things from gumming up. When I bought my previous boat it was seven years old and the steering cable was almost completely locked up. I replaced it and that cable was still just fine when I sold the boat thirty years later.