Boat Engine Died on the lake - Please Help

[Robertpel9]

Was driving along with friends all gauges in the right position when all of the sudden the engine lost power. I tried to restart and it would turn briefly and then click click click click click . No odd noise upon failure, no smells, no overheats, etc It is a 1999 volvo 5.7 GS

We were with friends and tried to jump start it. Then it would turn over just fine so i know for sure i have a battery issue but it would not fire up. We tried waiting for a long time to make sure i did not flood it , etc and it still would not fire but had no problem turning over

I unscrewed the fuel filter and it had gas in it with no debris, etc. I pushed the reed buttons on the engine none were tripped it just would not start

It was very choppy and i wonder if i hit something that knocked something electrical off. All spark plug wires were intact both on the engine and at the distributor.

I do not know what else to check - Please let me know what you think

Thanks
Robert

 

[captmello]

Re: Boat Engine Died on the lake - Please Help

I think you're going to have to check for spark at the distributer. Make sure you've got spark first.

Good luck.

 

[Don S]

Re: Boat Engine Died on the lake - Please Help

Check for Low batteryvoltage. Also check to make sure you have clean tight connections on the battery cables, both ends.

 

[Robertpel9]

Re: Boat Engine Died on the lake - Please Help

Boat was towed to the marina and i can't get to it today but here is what was observed yesterday

Voltage at the battery was 12 after it dies when i was trying to start it. All accessories including trim worked fine. When we hooked the jumper cables up to another running boat the voltage at the battery went up to 13 and change. When it was not on the cables it could only turn the engine very briefly and then a clicking noise. When it was on the cables it would turn over fine but not fire

I wish i could get to it now to check the cables again but it is the first thing i did and they were on very tight

Another quick question - doesn't the boat only need the alternator to run once started?? trying to figure out why it died while cruising along at 30 mph

 

[Robertpel9]

Re: Boat Engine Died on the lake - Please Help

ttt

 

[dedhead63]

Re: Boat Engine Died on the lake - Please Help

Sure sounds like a problem with the charging system. Alt, batt or poor conections in the system. Boats need the batterys to maintain a certain voltage to keep the engine running and when it drops below about 8-9 volts the engine will die. Start with the batt and then the Alt both under load with a volt meter not the dash.

 

[ringmaster72]

Re: Boat Engine Died on the lake - Please Help

Like Captmello said check spark first. If you have good spark, then move to fuel. Pull a plug wire and a plug, put the plug against a good spot on the motor for a ground and turn the motor over. It should have a good strong spark. If you have good spark, you need to check and see if you are getting fuel.