Boat nearly caught fire... assuming some kind of short

[mr_carman007]

Hello,

I just purchased a new boat (new to me), its a little bit of a fixer upper. Well anyway, I got it running and wanted to test it on the lake so I took it out today. While out there 2 things happened that most definitely need to be addressed, I am thinking they are completely unrelated but I want to tell you about them both anyway... they are as follows:

1. as I was taking the boat to the ramp I smelled something burning, I quickly looked at all gauges (nothing overheating), I then looked toward the engine compartment - there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. I removed the engine cover and heard popping but didn't see any flames. (I unleashed a fire extinguisher just to be safe though). Once the smoke subsided I realized that the electrical box was very hot and seemed to be the source of the popping noise... any thoughts on what could have happened?

2. The tach showed that the motor was running at 5k rpm, however I couldn't get the boat over approximately 15 mph (wouldn't even plane out). I'm thinking this may be more of a mechanical issue with the outdrive but I wanted to disclose it in case I am missing something and somehow they're both related.


Thanks in advance for the help!

 

[mr_carman007]

By the way, the boat is a 2000 Monterey 180 Edge, it has a 4.3 liter Volvo Penta

 

[alldodge]

Hello,

I just purchased a new boat (new to me), its a little bit of a fixer upper. Well anyway, I got it running and wanted to test it on the lake so I took it out today. While out there 2 things happened that most definitely need to be addressed, I am thinking they are completely unrelated but I want to tell you about them both anyway... they are as follows:

1. as I was taking the boat to the ramp I smelled something burning, I quickly looked at all gauges (nothing overheating), I then looked toward the engine compartment - there was smoke coming from the engine compartment. I removed the engine cover and heard popping but didn't see any flames. (I unleashed a fire extinguisher just to be safe though). Once the smoke subsided I realized that the electrical box was very hot and seemed to be the source of the popping noise... any thoughts on what could have happened?

2. The tach showed that the motor was running at 5k rpm, however I couldn't get the boat over approximately 15 mph (wouldn't even plane out). I'm thinking this may be more of a mechanical issue with the outdrive but I wanted to disclose it in case I am missing something and somehow they're both related.


Thanks in advance for the help!

Howdy

If it was electrical my guess is the engine would not be running. I'm thinking you burned up the engine coupler, but incase I'm wrong take a pic of the electrical box.

Doing multiple post on the same subject in different areas is not helpful nor allowed

 

[mr_carman007]

UPDATE: alldodge, you're correct, I don't believe it was electrical. I pulled the exhaust manifolds and risers and the elbows were clogged, cleaned those up very nicely and I think they're ready to go. For the speed issue, I believe (waiting for prop shop to get back to me) I have a slightly spun hub.

So now that everything is almost back together and nearly ready for lake test #2 I need to address the starter issue where it keeps cranking when the key is turned to accessory power and won't stop until the neg terminal on the battery is pulled. Once the neg terminal is pulled you can put it right back on the battery and the starter is quite and does not engage until the key is put back to accessory mode, at that point it will crank (even if you turn the key off and completely remove it for then ignition) until the neg lead is removed from the battery.

I ordered a new starter from Amazon, who claimed it to be a marine starter... Looks like an automobile starter to me so I haven't installed it yet, however I did remove my original starter and bench tested it. It bench tested without issue so now I'm thinking maybe ignition switch??? As a side bar I would like to put this piece of info out there, lead from solenoid to starter looks like it got extremely hot as it is black. I'm not sure if the exhaust manifold got hot enough to make that happen or the starter was stuck engaged for long enough to do that.

Any help is greatly appreciated!

 

[alldodge]

Wiring go very hot so need to trace the wires and replace as needed. I'm thinking the starter relay and/or wiring is damaged. When key is turned power is applied to relay (No 4) and pulls in the starter. Do some tracing and you should find the issue.

 

[mr_carman007]

Thanks AllDodge, I will check this out as soon as I get a chance and report my findings!

 

[mr_carman007]

Problem solved! Starter was good - found some wires that had melted together from the heat the of the exhaust manifold. Upon closer inspection one of them just happened to be the if ignition wire. Cut out 3 - 3" sections of wire, replaced with new wire, butt connected them together, put electrical tape around them, and installed new plastic wire gaurd. Reinstalled starter and hooked everything back up, crossed my fingers, then tested... ALL WORKING PERFECTLY! Ready for lake test #2 this weekend!

Thanks for the help AllDodge!

 

[littlerayray]

Good luck have fun be safe and hope you have another fire extinguisher on board