~~Hey guys, I could use a little help with my sudden motor issue.
1979 Mercruiser 228, chevy 305 4bbl
We were to take my buddies son and a couple friends out trolling Lake Michigan this morning. I put the boat in tied it off and started it like I always do before I parked the truck to let the motor start warming up. Parked the truck, walked down to the launch and got the rods all out of the cabin and in the rocket launchers, ect, ect. Now before anyone reams into me for being "that guy", this was all done at 0400 and we were the ONLY people down there. If there is any one else at the ramp I set rods up on the move...
Anyway, we made out way across Muskegon lake(about 5 miles) at about half throttle or so because it was still dark yet. About half way through the channel connecting Muskegon and Lake Michigan, I could feel something wasn't right, the motor vibrations changed and it sounded like it wasn't hitting all cylinders. Back off the throttle and she stalled, fired right back up, but was bogging heavily misfiring and wouldn't take an idle in gear.
It bogged hard core misfiring like crazy through the channel and the exhaust smelled heavy of unburnt fuel. At one point it cleared up mostly as I made our way to the DNR dock in snug harbor(closest safe dock to limp to), it went right up on plane but wouldn't take near WOT with out missing badly. Idled well enough to dock it and wait for the truck and trailer to be brought around the lake to us.
I'm thinking ignition, the points and condenser are probably 5-7 years old, maybe a couple more years. I can't remember off hand, and either way it is getting electronic ignition now. The cap and rotor were new end of last season, as well as the plugs. Plug wires are maybe 4 seasons old, but are in perfect condition. What symptoms would bad points or condenser have? I pulled the spark plugs when I got home expecting then to be black fouled, they look fine, nice and clean like they should after maybe 20 hours of use. I also pulled the fuel water separator and dumped it into a glass pickle jar, nothing separated. The boat has always ran perfect, as it did two weeks ago on out last fishing trip. Sure was a bummer to turn back but I wont risk it, and the kids were happy for their boat ride and donuts lol, if only they knew the situation.
Your insite on the workings of the old school ignition system would be greatly appreciated!
1979 Mercruiser 228, chevy 305 4bbl
We were to take my buddies son and a couple friends out trolling Lake Michigan this morning. I put the boat in tied it off and started it like I always do before I parked the truck to let the motor start warming up. Parked the truck, walked down to the launch and got the rods all out of the cabin and in the rocket launchers, ect, ect. Now before anyone reams into me for being "that guy", this was all done at 0400 and we were the ONLY people down there. If there is any one else at the ramp I set rods up on the move...
Anyway, we made out way across Muskegon lake(about 5 miles) at about half throttle or so because it was still dark yet. About half way through the channel connecting Muskegon and Lake Michigan, I could feel something wasn't right, the motor vibrations changed and it sounded like it wasn't hitting all cylinders. Back off the throttle and she stalled, fired right back up, but was bogging heavily misfiring and wouldn't take an idle in gear.
It bogged hard core misfiring like crazy through the channel and the exhaust smelled heavy of unburnt fuel. At one point it cleared up mostly as I made our way to the DNR dock in snug harbor(closest safe dock to limp to), it went right up on plane but wouldn't take near WOT with out missing badly. Idled well enough to dock it and wait for the truck and trailer to be brought around the lake to us.
I'm thinking ignition, the points and condenser are probably 5-7 years old, maybe a couple more years. I can't remember off hand, and either way it is getting electronic ignition now. The cap and rotor were new end of last season, as well as the plugs. Plug wires are maybe 4 seasons old, but are in perfect condition. What symptoms would bad points or condenser have? I pulled the spark plugs when I got home expecting then to be black fouled, they look fine, nice and clean like they should after maybe 20 hours of use. I also pulled the fuel water separator and dumped it into a glass pickle jar, nothing separated. The boat has always ran perfect, as it did two weeks ago on out last fishing trip. Sure was a bummer to turn back but I wont risk it, and the kids were happy for their boat ride and donuts lol, if only they knew the situation.
Your insite on the workings of the old school ignition system would be greatly appreciated!
