Engine stalling

[Mark101]

1985 21.5' Sunray cierra cuddy mercruiser 260
Hello everyone, new to this kind of boat and forum noob as well! Looks like there's tons of knowledge here so I'm hoping I can get some advice here!
So here it goes, boat starts and runs with no issues. After launch I tour around at wot and sometimes at low speed stop fish a bit, then off to another spot several times, all the while with zero issues at idle or while on the gas! However, the last 2 times I was out on the ride back to dock while at full throttle I got this periodic quick bog. And once back near the dock when I shift to neutral it stalls and won't start back up! After getting pulled to dock and trailer 10mins back to my house it will fire right up in my driveway! Very strange! I went to a marine shop asking about a neutral switch and the mechanic seemed pretty convinced it was the lower shift cable and wants 1500 bucks to fix it! I'm no boat mechanic but have built some cars and motorcycles and this doesn't seem right to me! It has no problems shifting at all. Anyhow just looking for some thoughts if this sounds right or not!
Any help will be greatly appreciated! Also I have tried researching this and although I found alot of info on shift cables not really anything on my specific info!
Cheers
Mark

 

[alldodge]

The bog and the die and won't restart are probably not related.

If you have a shift interrupter issue then, you can disconnect the switch and it should fire right back up. It can also be out of adjustment. If the cable does need to be replaced you can do it for under $100. If you do the boots while your at it (good idea) along with trim senders, the your around $250

As for the bogging, that is probably a fuel issue. So antisiphon valve on the tank, fuel pump, fuel filter

 

[Mark101]

The bog and the die and won't restart are probably not related.

If you have a shift interrupter issue then, you can disconnect the switch and it should fire right back up. It can also be out of adjustment. If the cable does need to be replaced you can do it for under $100. If you do the boots while your at it (good idea) along with trim senders, the your around $250

As for the bogging, that is probably a fuel issue. So antisiphon valve on the tank, fuel pump, fuel filter

I did change the fuel/water separator filter to see if that would take care of the bog but didn't work. I can troubleshoot that part a little more. As far as the cutoff switch, is it common for them to work fine and then cause an issue at end of day same scenario 2 separate times? Is it possible for this switch to just cause problems when engine is hot? I guess I could let it happen again and if it does I can try and disconnect that switch to see if it fires back up or not, guess that would tell me something! Thanks for that info!
I would certainly do the cable job myself, $1500 is absolute robbery!

 

[alldodge]

The inner core of the cable wears the inside jacket and gets some slop. You can try to readjust the cable to get it working or try readjusting the switch. Most cases if shift cables is old and worn this will happen.

Note: if you disconnect the interrupter you will not be able to get the boat out of gear without shutting off the motor when its in the water

 

[Bondo]

I would certainly do the cable job myself, $1500 is absolute robbery!

Ayuh,.... It Sure is,..... Welcome Aboard,.....

If it stalls shiftin' to neutral, it's probably a worn out lower shift cable trippin' the switch for toooo longa time, killin' the motor,....

If it stalls as yer just slowin' down, still in gear, I'd guess a fuel delivery issue,.... probably the carb,.....

When ya change fuel filters,... Always inspect the Contents, for anything but clean fresh gasoline,....
In the age of ethanol fuels, a removed fuel filter has become a very, Very Important diagnostic tool,.....

 

[Mark101]

All fantastic info guys, the part that's troubling my brain in all this is if the lower cable is worn and causing engine to stall how is it possible that it's completely fine for the day and then not near the end? I mean, a cable is a mechanical thing so I would think it either works or it doesn't no? Anyhow, gonna try and do a search to see how to adjust the cable and the switch and see what happens from there I guess

 

[alldodge]

Got to the top of this section or select the link im my or Bondo's sig "Adults Only". There is a bunch of stuff in there about how to adjust

 

[Bondo]

I mean, a cable is a mechanical thing so I would think it either works or it doesn't no?

Ayuh,.... It's a Wear item,.... It gets worse, 'n worse, til it don't work,.... No sudden failure, Usually,....

 

[Mark101]

Ayuh,.... It's a Wear item,.... It gets worse, 'n worse, til it don't work,.... No sudden failure, Usually,....

I get that things wear but all day it's fine till the end and then same pattern again a second time, just seems weird to me thank you for your input, very much aplreciate

 

[Mark101]

Got to the top of this section or select the link im my or Bondo's sig "Adults Only". There is a bunch of stuff in there about how to adjust

I will certainly do this! Thank you for all your input, it is greatly appreciated!

 

[211libwtfo]

Before ya get crazy just check yer anti siphon valve. I’ve had same issue.

 

[Mark101]

Before ya get crazy just check yer anti siphon valve. I’ve had same issue.

Yes, AllDodge did mention that! Unfortunately I don't know what or where that even is:grumpy:

 

[Mark101]

Got to the top of this section or select the link im my or Bondo's sig "Adults Only". There is a bunch of stuff in there about how to adjust

I'm sorry, I've read through these sections and couldn't see anything related to adjusting interrupt switches. Maybe I'm blind lol

 

[Bondo]

I'm sorry, I've read through these sections and couldn't see anything related to adjusting interrupt switches. Maybe I'm blind lol

Ayuh,..... Lower shift cable adjustment is what adjusts the switch,.....

 

[alldodge]

I'm sorry, I've read through these sections and couldn't see anything related to adjusting interrupt switches. Maybe I'm blind lol

Your correct I could not find it either

 

[alldodge]

A bit more

 

[alldodge]

Antisiphon valve is on top the fuel tank and has the rubber fuel line connected to it

 

[Mark101]

Ayuh,..... Lower shift cable adjustment is what adjusts the switch,.....

That explains the poor results for my search for interrupt switch adjustment lol

 

[Mark101]

Your correct I could not find it either

Glad it wasn't just me! Lol
This is perfect thank you!

 

[Mark101]

A bit more

This is perfect!!