Engine problem - '85 Mercruiser 170

[steplift20]

Keeping it simple
A engine needs three things to run
Air
Oil
Gas
I would start there check to make sure all those things are good
Just my 2 cents
I could get lucky sometimes, but definitely check your water separator The gas they sell today is not hood e 10

[scook]

Don't forget spark.

Yeah, I agree - need to check for gas in the oil and address all fuel issues. At the beginning of the season, I emptied the tank thoroughly, drove a few extra miles and filled up with non-ethanol gas and thought this was going to be a trouble free season. 30 year old boat, I guess I've got to expect an occasional problem, but I'd rather it wasn't during fishing season.

[spareparts]

also, if they haven't been replaced recently, replace all your fuel lines, I've been doing that on boats only 5 years old to fix issues. This new fuel whether E or non-E is tough on rubber lines.

[scook]

Hah - Spare, I think you nailed it. I got the boat in '05 because it was doing exactly what it's doing now - ran 20 minutes and died. We changed the fuel line ant it ran OK.

The guy who owned it before me was a complete non-mechanic (knew how to change the oil and that was it). He had lots of money and when he got frustrated with the V-20, he went out and spent $65k on a new 23' Striper WA and told me later that the V was a better boat in the ocean.

They were only going to give him $1700 trade-in for the boat and trailer and he said "no, I love my old boat and I'm not giving it away to a dealer". My daughter did some work for him and got the boat for me for my birthday with the assurance it was going to a good home. I've done a lot of work on it, but I see why he loved his old boat.

[spareparts]

just replaced fuel lines on a 2008 Intrepid 25 today. It needed it.

[scook]

Do I need to use USCG approved, below deck fuel line, either because it is required or because it is safer than automotive line? I haven't checked automotive pricing but the approved stuff is around $6/ foot at West Marine.

[spareparts]

For inboard in engines use A1 rated fuel line. The automotive line isn't approved and won't hold up as well as the marine hose. Look on line, you should be able to get a better price than that. I think I retail it for $3/ft. West marine has good prices on tackle and electronics, but they raape you on everythign else. Even with my Port Supply(comercial side of West Marine) I can beat their prices on engine stuff most anywhere else. Check with Jamestown Distributors or Ebasicpower.com