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  1. Lou C

    Pic of Milkshake spew all over my engine. Help please

    Before throwing in the towel check those bat wings for leaks. They are a known failure point.
  2. Lou C

    Alternator Question - Only +13V when Moving

    Modern alternators like an ARCO will put out 14.2 volts at idle speed (checked at the batteries themselves). If you only look at the dash mounted voltmeter you can get a lower than true reading because of high resistance in old dash wiring. I would check all battery connections including engine...
  3. Lou C

    5.0 mpi runs rough when wet

    Check your spark plug wires & distributor cap, when the insulation gets old & dried out it can allow misfires to happen, make sure that you don’t have water spraying from a hose behind the engine on the distributor. We had this on an older Subaru, when it got damp it would throw a misfire code &...
  4. Lou C

    port side exhaust elbow over heating.

    that elbow is just rusted scrap iron. I would use Barr Marine aftermarket on an older boat, they fit and work fine. I have em on mine 5 years still fine even in the salt. BUT....impellers and bellows....OEM first last and always. Even for my Cobra for which you can't just get OEM parts in every...
  5. Lou C

    Happiest Day of Ownership !!!

    Yep looks great, dog looks happy! We launched my brother's 2020 Chap with the Merc 4.5 200 hp. Got a check engine light. Under warrantee so I guess I don't have to figure this one out. He's a tech guy so I might suggest that he pick up the Merc compatible scanner. Me, I'm still using...
  6. Lou C

    2020 Merc 4.5 200 hp check engine light…

    On my brothers 2020 Merc 4.5 200 hp he just got a check OBD system light, I think the engine cut off at the ramp when we were launching it (also heard a warning beep) but it started right up. Guess he has to take it back to the dealer because it’s still under warrantee.
  7. Lou C

    Anyone running the new 4.5?

    Not sure but I think you need a specific scanner to read those codes.
  8. Lou C

    Anyone running the new 4.5?

    Ok he just got the OBD warning to service engine soon. Boat’s still running perfect. Trip back to dealer?
  9. Lou C

    Car Tires ok?

    What I meant was no P or LT tire of the 225/75-15 size will match the 2830 lbs of a trailer tire of the same size. This is important because that is the biggest size you can fit to most boat trailers. Like I said if you go up to a 16” rim on a 6 lug hub you have more options. But, you need a 2x3...
  10. Lou C

    Car Tires ok?

    The only way you could safely use P rated tires is if you know exactly what your boat & trailer weighs and can fit a tire that is not going to be overloaded. The reality is that most trailers have at best a 10% safety margin with trailer tires that will always have a much higher weight rating...
  11. Lou C

    5.0 Mercruiser Problems

    The pic looked like you weren’t getting enough cooling water, also the driveshaft/ujoints are always spinning whenever the engine is running. Put the drive at least half way down. What’s your engine temp?
  12. Lou C

    Happiest Day of Ownership !!!

    Looks great on the mooring Ted…
  13. Lou C

    Merc/GM 4.3 tops out at 4000 rpm

    Are you sure that the carb throttle valve is really wide open when the remote control throttle is wide open? 2 bbl or 4 bbl? 6,000 ft elevation is big. Air is less dense so the carb has to be jetted leaner. How did do the plugs look? I’m at sea level though so I don’t have experience with this...
  14. Lou C

    Merc/GM 4.3 tops out at 4000 rpm

    I’m hearing a surging there, fuel delivery issue? Anything else change besides the new long block?
  15. Lou C

    Hey Newbies

    So newbies, go and get educated, THEN come back and ask questions!
  16. Lou C

    Worth flame arrestor upgrade for Mercruiser engines?

    I'd just replace it. That's a safety device that you do NOT want to fail. They are not expensive.
  17. Lou C

    Vista 248 power steering

    you can see it in this pic, if that is a joint venture Volvo/OMC engine they used the same brackets as the old OMC Cobra. might want to see if you can get back in the starboard side of the engine compartment and check the P/S actuator. Leaks on older boats are common. I replaced my original 1988...
  18. Lou C

    Hey Newbies

  19. Lou C

    Hey Newbies

  20. Lou C

    Hey Newbies

    To all the newbies: Some of us are old school and have been wrenching on our stuff since the days of points distributors, Quadrajets Holleys and Carters. The first thing most of us did unless a family member or close friend worked in a shop was BUY A FACTORY SHOP MANUAL. And then READ IT. That...
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