imported_TheMan
Petty Officer 1st Class
- Joined
- Oct 19, 2006
- Messages
- 224
'89 3.0L Merc with Alpha One.
Took the boat out a couple weeks ago for a run. Seemed to be going great and was running well. The boat was running for probably 30-40 minutes. First 10-15 were in a no-wake zone and was at slow speeds. Next 20 minutes or so was running essentially WOT (~35mph or so). Final 5 minutes was at a gentle cruising speed, probably 10 mph. While cruising, the engine backfired (bang in the flame arrestor with puff of air) and died. The boat could not be restarted in the several hours afterwards in which I tried it out. The engine would crank, but there was no ignition. As we were in a river with a strong current, I did not have time to make sure that fuel was being sent to the carb when pumping the throttle.
The day after it died, I ran it in the driveway with no problems. I was assuming that something or other overheated from normal operation. My first guess was the ignition coil since the spark seemed weak. I have replaced the coil since then. I also previously installed new plugs, distributor cap, rotor, condensor, etc.
I am planning on taking the boat out again this weekend for another test run. I'm just looking ahead this time for any issues that I should specifically watch out for. Other than a fuel pump overheating, are there other components of the engine that would overheat and cause it to stop running? Is the sight tube only good for while the engine is running?
Just a few other notes: The engine temperature was at proper operating temp, no problems there. Charging system also seems to be working well. The day was a pleasant 60 degrees or so and sunny. Boat has an in-line fuel-water separator. I don't suspect a wiring problem because the boat ran fine the next day, leading me to believe it was an overheat problem. However, the time frame in which I attempted to start it after it died was up around 2-3 hours. Should it take 3+ hours to cool down?
Thanks for all the help guys,
SB
Took the boat out a couple weeks ago for a run. Seemed to be going great and was running well. The boat was running for probably 30-40 minutes. First 10-15 were in a no-wake zone and was at slow speeds. Next 20 minutes or so was running essentially WOT (~35mph or so). Final 5 minutes was at a gentle cruising speed, probably 10 mph. While cruising, the engine backfired (bang in the flame arrestor with puff of air) and died. The boat could not be restarted in the several hours afterwards in which I tried it out. The engine would crank, but there was no ignition. As we were in a river with a strong current, I did not have time to make sure that fuel was being sent to the carb when pumping the throttle.
The day after it died, I ran it in the driveway with no problems. I was assuming that something or other overheated from normal operation. My first guess was the ignition coil since the spark seemed weak. I have replaced the coil since then. I also previously installed new plugs, distributor cap, rotor, condensor, etc.
I am planning on taking the boat out again this weekend for another test run. I'm just looking ahead this time for any issues that I should specifically watch out for. Other than a fuel pump overheating, are there other components of the engine that would overheat and cause it to stop running? Is the sight tube only good for while the engine is running?
Just a few other notes: The engine temperature was at proper operating temp, no problems there. Charging system also seems to be working well. The day was a pleasant 60 degrees or so and sunny. Boat has an in-line fuel-water separator. I don't suspect a wiring problem because the boat ran fine the next day, leading me to believe it was an overheat problem. However, the time frame in which I attempted to start it after it died was up around 2-3 hours. Should it take 3+ hours to cool down?
Thanks for all the help guys,
SB
