Intermittent engine cuts

[CasCaed]

Good evening,

I have been having issues with my boat cutting out. I have checked as many things as I can, confirmed that the Carb is getting fuel, am not sure that there is always spark, my main question at the moment is, if I remove the air filter and turn the engine over, should I be able to see the fuel spaying into the carb, from the two jets? As I am not, could be a carb issue?
If anyone could assist I would appreciate it

[mmwjr]

CasCaed welcome aboard.

I have a few questions.

What boat model, engine and drive do you have?
What year is the boat, engine?
Does this only happen when shifting into or out of gear?
Mechanical or electric fuel pump?

Yes if you remove the flame arrestor and pump the throttle gas should squirt in the carb

[Kevlar7r]

It only squirts WHILE the throttle is being moved. That would have nothing to do with intermittent engine cut out.

Can you tell us more about when it is cutting out, and what's happening?

[CasCaed]

Hello Guys thanks for responding.
It is a 1995 model and I know that the engine has been replaced, I do not know the year of the engine - 4.3 mercruiser. - Electric fuel pump.
It has cut out on me about 4 times, I will just be going along and then it will cut out. Not specifically when I am putting it in gear.
I have recently bought the boat and have only been out with it about 8 times.I checked the water separator and the fuel pump that is in order. The once I checked for spark and the was not any, when I put the plug back and finished fiddling around it started, so I really dont know the issue, maybe a loose/bad connection? Generally it will restart again after I have been fiddling etc, but I am not able to narrow it down to what the actual issue is. The last time I went out it cut out and would not start for ages, then it started again for a few minutes but then cut out and would not start again.
I am now going to take it out the water for the winter and try and get this issue sorted out once and for all - as well as a few other things that need doing before the summer.
So any ideas will be most welcome!!!

[mmwjr]

Sounds like an electrical issue with a thermal problem. Electronics get hot shut down, cool off and then restart. Could be coil, ignition sensor in the distributor, or ignition module.
Look up troubleshooting of these in your merc manual and next time it fails perform them.

[Kevlar7r]

What was your engine temperature when it quit?

Does your engine alarm work? Loud beep when you turn the key before you start?

You said you recently bought it, have you been through a tank of fuel yet?
Unlikely, but what are the condition of the batteries?

[Kevlar7r]

If it is a loose connection, try wiggling all wires while its running, one at a time, and see if you can cause the stall.

Also, does it cough and sputter and die, or just click off, as if you had shut it off?