omc cobra 4.3l engine stall when put in gear

iaafu

Recruit
Joined
Mar 21, 2004
Messages
4
i have a 1986 stingray 198ss with a 4.3l v6.<br />when i put it in forward or reverse with engine at idle the engine will stall but if i put in in <br />gear and give it gas quick enough it does fine in both forward and reverse.the boat has an omc cobra sterndrive system. any suggestions on what the problem could be
 

djvan

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 3, 2003
Messages
411
Re: omc cobra 4.3l engine stall when put in gear

What is your idle rpm set at?<br /><br />DougV>
 

iaafu

Recruit
Joined
Mar 21, 2004
Messages
4
Re: omc cobra 4.3l engine stall when put in gear

according to the tach it is at about 1000 rpmsbut i also know that tachometers are not always accurate
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
13,063
Re: omc cobra 4.3l engine stall when put in gear

1000 is too high but you are right boat tachs are not that accurate. Hook up a digital tach, it should be 500-600 rpm in forward gear (boat tied to dock!)<br />About the stalling, you have to make sure the ESA system is working right.<br />Start with a tune up because for it to idle reliably and shift into gear with out stalling it has to be in good tune. ESA will drop it down to 400 or so to shift out of gear.
 

iaafu

Recruit
Joined
Mar 21, 2004
Messages
4
Re: omc cobra 4.3l engine stall when put in gear

i replaced the cap,rotor,wires and plugs and also had the timing checked. engine runs great. no <br />hesitation at all.when you mentioned esa system what are you referring to. it seemsto be a minor problem i hope.
 

DC698

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Sep 6, 2003
Messages
138
Re: omc cobra 4.3l engine stall when put in gear

Iaafu, I had the same problem with my '91 OMC 5.0L last year. It would start and idle fine, but stall whenever I put it into forward or reverse. Ended up being my ESA Module and my shift cable needed to be replaced. (Was the red replacement cable, but was old and needed to be replaced) Check out Stuarts website on the Cobra's.
 

Lou C

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Nov 10, 2002
Messages
13,063
Re: omc cobra 4.3l engine stall when put in gear

As others said, you can go to stuarts site and get info on checking and adjusting the ESA.
 

iaafu

Recruit
Joined
Mar 21, 2004
Messages
4
Re: omc cobra 4.3l engine stall when put in gear

thanks for the information i think it will be very helpful
 
Top