4.3 engine stopping

[pboise]

I have a 1993 Thompson Carrera with a 4.3 carb engine. Sunday out on the bay it ran perfect for 30 min. Bounced through some very rough water and the boat died. Sat there for a minute started the boat headed for the Marina Again moderate rough water and the boat just shutoff again. Got a tow from boatus to the marina. When the boat was on the trailer and the muffs installed, the boat ran forever at 1400 rpms.. Any help appreciated.

Scott

 

[eavega]

When it dies can you turn it over or is it dead at the key? My first instinct would be that you have a bad connection somewhere that is jiggling around and grounding itself when the boat is bouncing, but makes enough contact when the boat is still. Check your connections from the key back through the coil.

E

 

[pboise]

Not sure after the second time. I was too busy staying off the channel marker. BoatUs was already headed out to get me.
s

 

[eavega]

Well, take it out again hopefully in a safe environment with someone assisting, and see if you can recreate. If you can recreate, that is the time to troubleshoot; check spark with a open air gap spark tester. If you can, bring a timing light and verify you are getting spark to all four. Check your ignition connection with a multimeter to make sure you didn't ground out there. Check your shift interrupt to make sure that is not what is triggering. Like I said before, it sounds like something is grounding when the boat is jarred, so you need to inspect anything that would cause the motor to lose spark such as ignition switch, coil charging, distributor failing, etc.

-E

 

[pboise]

Thanks for your help I will take look at those areas

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... A couple places to look come to mind, the cannon plug that connects the motor to the boat, 'n the key switch,....