New boat, issues found on the water.

[racerone]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

As far as I am concerned they all sound impressive running on a hose.---Don't wind it up in nuetral !!-------Very few folks buy a 200 hp for Sunday afternoon cruising.----So it is a clear case of BUYER BEWARE on these big motors.

 

[wired247]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

Wired247, your boat looks great. I hope my Marlin looks that good eventually (if I don't set it on fire in the middle of the Columbia) :lol:

Mine sat in my dads back yard for 8 years in Longview before I got it back and had to be thoroughly rebuilt from the glass in once I got the slugs, ants, and all the water logged interior and wood out of it. Yes, it would have been easier to buy a new boat , probably cheaper too, but Ive been hauling this thing around for 33 years now. That and my wife won't let me buy a "new" boat. I'm just lucky her math skills arent very good.

 

[jimmydean_71]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

Well, I just picked up a few cans of powertune and some fuel system treatment from the marine shop.

While I was there, I decided to look at motors for the hell of it. It's comforting to know a 2 year old 200hp Merc only costs $1500 more than I paid for my 2001 Corvette (380hp with 6 speed and 70k miles). :facepalm:

When you say "Don't over rev it in neutral" what do you consider over reving? I wasn't going WOT or anything or even keeping it there, just confirming it would go beyond idle and back.

I'm starting to think my original plan would have also been cheaper.

mid 80's tourney ski boat shell = $800
Corvette LS1 engine = $3000
Custom interior = $1000

I'd be on the water for under $5k. So far I have $2900 into this one and have only floated it.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

I'm just lucky her math skills arent very good.

thats funny...




I'm with the fuel/carb crowd but not having worked on many outboards but the old Force I had, could it be a stator issue? Not advancing or whatever that thingie does? I replaced mine and had a heck of a time getting it to run right. Pre-internet so just messed with it for days on end..

 

[jimmydean_71]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

OK, so fuel system gets a good working over this week/weekend and see whats up. I am fairly certain that the tanks are ok, I know the fuel itself is ok, so I will be focusing on the carbs.

So here is my list of crap:
Cans of powertune ($14 a can, ouch)
New fuel filters (they are cheap)
Fuel stabilizer (because it's good to have in there anyway)
Spark plugs (might also get wires, but I will check the wires on there)

I might go so far as ordering a set of rebuild kits for the carbs, but I might leave that part "to a professional" if it looks a bit harsh. I'm not a huge fan of rebuilding carbs myself, I haven't had the best of luck getting them dialed afterwards. But if it looks like an expensive job, I might try it.

Spark plug recommendations? I tend to run NGK iridiums in my moto and my Corvette and have had good luck with them. Is it worth the extra in the boat, too?

Thanks again for all the help on this. I will keep you all posted on the developments.

 

[wired247]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

Negatory on the spark plugs. Use the stock type. If you arent flooding the carbs you dont need to rebuild them. Try pulling the bowl plugs and using carb cleaner to flush out the bowls and use a spray can tube to blast out the main jets. 9xouta10 that does the trick on gummed up jets without a full rebuild.

 

[ondarvr]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

Compression gauges rarely read the same, 100 on yours could be 120 on the next gauge. So unless you are familiar with how your gauge reads it doesn't mean much.

Revving in neutral can lead to a run-away motor and turning off the key won't stop it. You're not supposed to go over 1,500 RPM or so.

Sounding good when running on the hose doesn't mean anything, even running on three cylinders it may sound OK and rev well, it's totally different in the water.

I don't really believe in miracle in a can type products, but Seafoam works better than most other products, and is the only one I would buy.

Carb rebuilds for a V6 at a shop can be in the $500.00 range. It's not hard to do yourself.

If it dies instantly like someone flipped a switch it's normally electrical, if it dies by fading away and slowly loosing power it's normally fuel related.

 

[jimmydean_71]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

Negatory on the spark plugs. Use the stock type. If you arent flooding the carbs you dont need to rebuild them. Try pulling the bowl plugs and using carb cleaner to flush out the bowls and use a spray can tube to blast out the main jets. 9xouta10 that does the trick on gummed up jets without a full rebuild.

Sounds like a plan. That was my goal with the powertune, flush the bowls and jets and hope for the best.

It doesn't die suddenly, it's either not enough power to move the water, or not enough fuel. It tries to when you are in gear above idle, but as soon as I roll on the throttle it putters out. I was able to back off it and keep it from dying a couple times last time, but it still wasn't enough to beat the current.

If the weather is nice enough, I'll take it out without the cowl so I can tweak and test in the water. I'm not supposed to move into my slip until the 1st, but I'm going to ask the guy if I can park it there during the day while I fuss with it. Sure would make it easier than trying to do it on the river. :lol:

Once I get it running well enough to enjoy, I will finish the awful wiring job in this thing. I ripped all the stereo crap out and cleaned up the terminals, but I want to install a proper fuse block and mount the relays to the bulkhead. Right now there is a mess of wires behind the drivers side bench that is just coiled up and out of the way. I want to cut the wires to proper length and route everything properly up high away from the water.

 

[wired247]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

Stereos should be banned on the water. My wife had to restrain me from shooting a guy in his wake boat last year while we were camping. I really dont want to hear how many decibels your slow, fat boat can push Miley Cyrus out.

 

[jimmydean_71]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

Well, I do enjoy music and my first job after high school was building car audio competition system (2 national titles and many, many records were set). But there is a time and a place for them and I'm certainly not looking to **** anyone off, either.

My concern with this boat was mounting, routing, and location of said stereo.

1. Non-marine grade source unit in the glove box and none of the wires were properly spliced/connected/secured.
2. Non-marine grade car audio amp laying unmounted on the floor under the bench seat.
3. 8 awg power wire for said amp routed along the floor not secured, up the bulkhead, then across the boat to the battery side zip tied to the fuel line running from the passenger side fuel tank.
4. No wire loom or heat shrink on any wire or connection on the whole setup.

I have seen some ghetto systems in my days as an installer, but this was over the top. In what universe is it safe to ziptie a power wire to a fuel line without even putting it in a conduit?

It's all gone, now. I still need to find a proper place to mount the switch for the motor height adjustment. It's currently mounted in what looks like a universal cup holder and was secured with a screw in the side because homeboy couldn't find the nut that goes with the switch. :rofl:

 

[redneck joe]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

Stereos should be banned on the water. My wife had to restrain me from shooting a guy in his wake boat last year while we were camping. I really dont want to hear how many decibels your slow, fat boat can push Miley Cyrus out.

somebody needs to ban Miley Cyrus...


I've got a small system, two small speakers right close to us, just enough to hear when we are running the river.

 

[wired247]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

somebody needs to ban Miley Cyrus...

Agreed.

 

[jimmydean_71]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

Ok, so much time was spent decarbing with Powertune, changed plugs, checking spark, did not check compression (didn't have my tester). It looks like I am either not getting spark or its very faint on the left side. It did sound better and while tied to the dock, it seemed to pull in gear well. But when I untied and got about 30' from shore it was the same results with only slightly more power before it died.

I know it needs a starter because the one that's on there is both chewed up and doesn't want to engage every time ($122). Waiting for a call back from Sanders Marine in town to see what they will charge me to look at it. I found a set of 3 good used coils on ebay should that be the issue, but I'm not about to start stockpiling parts. :lol:

Good used options are looking like $3k-$6k, ouch. Not sure what a rebuild runs, but with only 100psi recorded compression when I bought it, it will likely need it.

 

[racerone]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

Gauges will read different values.------Does spark jump a gap of 7/16" on all 6 leads.--That is one of the best tests to do.

 

[jimmydean_71]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

I was trying to use a light up inline spark tester that barely seemed to light up. The plugs I pulled out looked brand new, but I replaced them after burning a can of Powertune.

I did notice when spraying the powertune that only the lower carb was flooding. Instructions say to spray into carbs until flooded but only the bottom carb was easy to flood. Outboard engines are crazy, I have a lot to learn I guess.

 

[jimmydean_71]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

An update for those interested in hearing. Bob called and said it was the control box for the ignition, so only one side was getting spark (as it looked to me as well). $307 parts and labor. I am ducking work early tomorrow and taking he down to the river to see if she'll float.

Tomorrow is the only dry day forecast for the next week, so I want to take advantage and see if I can't get some speed. Thanks all for the help, this forum is a wealth of information.

 

[jimmydean_71]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

Took her out yesterday after work and it was awesome! Cold, but awesome.

 

[jimmydean_71]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

I got it up to 42 on the gps and was't at WOT. As you can see from the picture it was quite calm, but my girl was a little scared to go too fast first time out. Plus it was pretty damn cold.

I think she'll do 50 with the current prop setup. Not sure I need to put the ss prop on, but I might if I get bored.

 

[wired247]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

I lived in Longview and kelso for years. I know that stretch of river very well. Next time I'm down that way this summer we'll have to arrange things and I'll bring some of my prop hareem for you to try out 1 or 2.

Took her out yesterday after work and it was awesome! Cold, but awesome.

 

[jimmydean_71]

Re: New boat, issues found on the water.

I managed to **** of someone because I got excited and opened it up a little too close to the marina. :rofl:

I can only imagine your boat since it looks a little lighter than mine. I hope I can keep her running, but after I redo the interior, I know a new(ish) motor will likely be next year. But damn, she scoots. I am very happy and can't wait to see what she tops out at.

I do know my speedo doesn't work, my trim gauge doesn't work, and my temp gauge doesn't work. So those will be investigated while redoing the wiring in it.