Many problems...

[jkeating]

Well to start off, just like the title says, i have a few problems. My boat is a 1990 Searay 200br with a 4.3 mercruiser with alpha one drive... When it ran right it sailed like a kite.

Last year, the last time i went out i started had a hard time starting the boat... It would crank and crank and crank before it would finally turn over and idle for a few seconds before dieing. So i figured I flooded the motor... This went on for about a half hour. After finally getting the boat to stay started i threw her in reverse and flew out the port. I got to open water and finally got her wide open... The only problem was when floored we only got to about 25 or 30 mph... when i first got the boat i could get close to 50....

So any quesses what could be wrong? My first thought was it needed a tune up?

The next problem i ran into the same day was once i came to a stop it seemed like it would start heating up more then normal but once i threw it in gear and got moving it would cool off...

Any quesses what that could be?

Also one other problem when i assume has nothing to do with this whole motor/cooling problem.. The Trim/Tilt works just fine but after a few bumps on the water a few weeks prior to the motor situtation i noticed the quage started reading wrong. I would have the motor all the way up in the air while launching and it would read all the way up but once i tilt the motor down maybe a quarter of the way the guage would read the motor is as low as it could go when clearly it was starving for water..

Any ideas what this could be and could i fix it myself?

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Many problems...

Welcome to IBOATS

When was the last time servicing was done on it?

First problem could be fuel/filter/carb/tank related

Second problem could be in need of a new water pump impeller as the first thing to try but could be several other reasons.

3rd problem seems like the trim position sender is failing; common problem.

Can you post the engine/drive serial numbers to help with the troubleshooting?

Mark

 

[jkeating]

Re: Many problems...

What do you mean as of servicing?

Ive had the boat for 1 year and as soon as i got it i changed the motor oil and drive oil. I then added a can of seafoam to the gas the was already in the boat and ran it empty. I also greased all the zerts that i could find. I dont think the gas is bad because i have about a half tank left and had no problems with it running up until that day... Although i can say it is a little slow out the hole shot.. When you floor it, it takes a second or 2 before it starts going.

How hard is it to change the trim position sender? Can i do it myself? And where could i find a price on one?

Also could i change the impellor? If so where would i find it and how would you change it?

Engine #
0C865660

Transom #
0D334351

Drive #
0D326764

 

[fat fanny]

Re: Many problems...

1st off marine engines run twice s hard as a automotive engine so they ware qiucker on the parishable parts. Start with a good troubleshooting regiment lsted at the top of this forum in the Adults only (stickies) allot of good info in there for mst of the issues our experiencing. Odds are your due for a carb ovehaul, fuel filter change. I would also suggest to start with goin through all the electrical connections to make sure thier clean, lubed and tight. Start with everything that does'nt cost anything 1st and that starts with troubleshooting and a full tune up s a good place to start. Post back with the results

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Many problems...

What do you mean as of servicing?

Ive had the boat for 1 year and as soon as i got it i changed the motor oil and drive oil. I then added a can of seafoam to the gas the was already in the boat and ran it empty. I also greased all the zerts that i could find. I dont think the gas is bad because i have about a half tank left and had no problems with it running up until that day... Although i can say it is a little slow out the hole shot.. When you floor it, it takes a second or 2 before it starts going.

How hard is it to change the trim position sender? Can i do it myself? And where could i find a price on one?

Also could i change the impellor? If so where would i find it and how would you change it?

Engine #
0C865660

Transom #
0D334351

Drive #
0D326764

1990 alpha1 drive which service manual#6 would cover:Boatinfo - Mercruiser Service Manual nr. 6 - 1983-1990 - R, MR, Alpha One & Alpha One SS Sterndrives

Your skill level will play a part in what items you can do vs. what you may need to take to a shop.

Read the manual and decide for yourself.

The manual will also tell you what other maintenance may need to be done annually such as checking the engine alignment, greasing ujoints, coupler splines, etc.

As far as parts, it is best to find the oem part number then you can google that part number to find sources to buy from or from you local Merc. dealer or if you decide to go aftermarket, like Sierra, check here on iboats.com
Parts lookup: https://webapps.brunswick.com/literature/literatureSearch.do

4.3 v6 in 90 should use service manual #7:Boatinfo - Mercruiser Service Manual nr. 7 - 1983-1993 - GM V6 Engines

As FF and I in my first post, go through the stickies and read up.

Mark

 

[tazrig]

Re: Many problems...

1990 alpha1 drive which service manual#6 would cover:Boatinfo - Mercruiser Service Manual nr. 6 - 1983-1990 - R, MR, Alpha One & Alpha One SS Sterndrives

Your skill level will play a part in what items you can do vs. what you may need to take to a shop.

Read the manual and decide for yourself.

The manual will also tell you what other maintenance may need to be done annually such as checking the engine alignment, greasing ujoints, coupler splines, etc.

As far as parts, it is best to find the oem part number then you can google that part number to find sources to buy from or from you local Merc. dealer or if you decide to go aftermarket, like Sierra, check here on iboats.com

4.3 v6 in 90 should use service manual #7:Boatinfo - Mercruiser Service Manual nr. 7 - 1983-1993 - GM V6 Engines

As FF and I in my first post, go through the stickies and read up.

Mark

^^^+1 excellent advice...