Need a Quick Answer! Boat dies?

[paczowski123]

Well i finished my tune up on my boat. i.e plugs, wires, rotor, and cap, and also did the fuel filter. I attached the ear mufs and went to crank the boat and it started right up idled for about 30 seconds then immediately died and the alarm sounded. I figured maybe it was just a weird coincidence, well i fired it back up and it did the same thing. It idles fine and smooth, and i filled the fuel filter before installing so as no air would get to it and installed all the wires to the right places etc. My question is does it sound like there is a problem or is it maybe some sort of saftey cut off because its not seeing enough water through the muffs or something? Is there anything i should check? I wtas planning on going out this afternoon but dont want to get stranded.

 

[Don S]

Re: Need a Quick Answer! Boat dies?

What engine are we working on?

 

[paczowski123]

Re: Need a Quick Answer! Boat dies?

Oh im sorry a mercruiser 4.3 190hp

 

[Fun Times]

Re: Need a Quick Answer! Boat dies?

First off, what engine package are we working on here?

Next, When you first start the engine, try to bring the rpm up to 1300 rpm and see what happens.

No there is no saftey cut off because its not seeing enough water through the muffs.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Need a Quick Answer! Boat dies?

He's going to want some more information than that in order to help. A serial number is best - the pros can pull up the info on your engine, including the type of fuel and ignition system etc.

 

[paczowski123]

Re: Need a Quick Answer! Boat dies?

mercruiser serial number# 0L036470. I have tried numerous times bringing it up to rpms it wil hold the rpms for a short while then slowly rpm down and shut off. I did notice while putting the new distributor cap on a small black wire with a ring terminal on it loose, but the only thing is i didnt remove any wires, and if that would cause it shouldnt it have been causing problems beforehand?

Heres the terminal. i noticed what looked like a snapped off bolt to a mounting hole for some sort of solenoid could this be where this terminal is supposed to be mounted to? I didnt see anything come off or attached when i removed the cap or rotor.

 

[Don S]

Re: Need a Quick Answer! Boat dies?

That ground wire is not your problem, it's just an extra in the harness for a different setup.
Your problem sounds like you have problems with the oil pressure switch that controls the fuel pump. Look at the wiring on the switch, it's located just above the block mounted oil filter boss, maybe got bumped and a wire knocked off..
you can also hook a jumper wire between the wires on each terminal and the pump should run and the engine keep running.

 

[paczowski123]

Re: Need a Quick Answer! Boat dies?

All of the wires are connected if what you are talking about is the sending unit looking device next to the oil filter with a purple and purple/yellow wire going to it? When you say jump them u mean remove the two plugs and run a wire across those terminals without the two wires connected?

 

[Don S]

Re: Need a Quick Answer! Boat dies?

No, connect all the wires together and see if the pump runs, and the engine keeps running.

 

[paczowski123]

Re: Need a Quick Answer! Boat dies?

How would I connect them? Like splice into them? If it keeps running after that what would be my next step?

 

[Don S]

Re: Need a Quick Answer! Boat dies?

How about a jumper wire with alligator clips on each end.

 

[paczowski123]

Re: Need a Quick Answer! Boat dies?

But there are plastic plugs on the end of the connectors how would I get an alligator clip on them? Or do u mean remove the plugs run alligator clips from wire to wire with them removed from the sending unit. Btw the oil pressure gauge is working wouldn't it not work if it were bad?

 

[Don S]

Re: Need a Quick Answer! Boat dies?

But there are plastic plugs on the end of the connectors how would I get an alligator clip on them? Or do u mean remove the plugs run alligator clips from wire to wire with them removed from the sending unit. Btw the oil pressure gauge is working wouldn't it not work if it were bad?

Come on, be a little creative. You need to hook both wires together temporarily to see if the pump runs and the engine runs.

That is an oil pressure switch that controls the fuel pump, it has nothing to do with the gauge. Did you look at the diagram I posted in reply #7 ? Click on it, it gets bigger.

 

[paczowski123]

Re: Need a Quick Answer! Boat dies?

Oh, im sorry i didnt even see the little diagram. Ok im going to jump them now and report back. If the engine stays running what will be the next step? Replacing that unit?

 

[Don S]

Re: Need a Quick Answer! Boat dies?

If the engine stays running what will be the next step? Replacing that unit?

Yes, the OEM part number is 87-864252A01

 

[paczowski123]

Re: Need a Quick Answer! Boat dies?

I beleive my infinite stupidity, and jumping to conclusions took ahold of me again. I had been trying to start it by pumping the accelerator, i beleive all that did is pump enough fuel into the carb to allow it to run for a few seconds. I finally went out there and tried to start it without pumping the accelerator and it turned over for about 5 second then fired up and hasnt missed a beat yet? Maybe i just needed to give it a few tries after the new fuel filter to finally get a good solid fuel feed???

Anyways on that note i noticed my water pump is beginning to weap from the weap hole. Time for another adventure it seems? That is if its a weep hole like the ones found on the gms and vortecs that weaps when it begins to fail?