1990 2.3L Ford OMC Cobra 90hp - 2 problems -

[1stTimeBoatOwner]

I am new to boating but have worked on autos, so I am fairly handy. I have a 1990 2.3L Ford OMC Cobra 90hp engine on a 17ft four winns boat.
I just bought this boat and had it checked at a marina. They said they took it out on the water and it runs fine, no problems just charged the battery.

So I took it out the next day and noticed that it chugs in nuetral and cuts out occasionally. Most of the time I have to start it and pop it quickly into drive to get it to move. Once it is in drive, it runs fine and never cuts out. I think it is probably fuel related, either a pump or filter? Any suggestions where to start?

Also - a more serious issue. I bought a battery jumper, just in case I get stuck out there without a full battery. I have had to jump it a few times but the last time, the positive battery terminal melted off and almost melted through the battery case. I bought a new battery and checked the wires for corrosion, which had none. The positive cable runs from the battery to the solenoid? (not sure if this is what it is called), but it is cracked and I am going to replace this. Any suggestions as to why the terminal would melt like that?

I noticed that from the solenoid there is a few wires. One wire runs to a small, black box mounted to the back of the boat with the word "guest" on it. From that box, runs a wire to the distributor cap and another wire that is not connected to anything, only zip-tied and taped off. Is this loose wire a problem? There is also a white wire that is zip-tied and taped, which looks like a ground. It is connected to the engine block on the opposite side that the battery is on. There is a ground wire on the battery side of the engine, but should there be 2 grounds?

Sorry for the long post. Any help is appreciated!

 

[Uraijit]

Re: 1990 2.3L Ford OMC Cobra 90hp - 2 problems -

Man, I thought the first two problems were listed in the title (Ford+OMC).

Anyway, what's your idle speed set at? Have you tried adjusting the idle speed screw to see if you can get her to idle?

When was the last tune-up?

 

[DJ]

Re: 1990 2.3L Ford OMC Cobra 90hp - 2 problems -

Your set up is 128 HP, at the prop. The engine is just about bulletproof. The drive may be another story.

Hot terminals mean corrosion and/or loose connections.

My guess is that the "Guest" unit you describe is a battery isolator set up for two batteries.

Get a volt meter and check to see what your alternator output voltage is. If it's high 14V+, you are overworking the alternator due to connections and/or corrosion.

Fix that solenoid with a new MARINE unit. DO NOT use automotive.

 

[1stTimeBoatOwner]

Re: 1990 2.3L Ford OMC Cobra 90hp - 2 problems -

Thanks for the responses guys.

I will check the alternator and the idle speed. Not sure when the last tune-up was but it probably should get one - plugs, wires,

I ran down the entire battery cables through the engine and didn't see any corrosion or loose connections. The cables themselves look free of corrosion when i pulled a little of the plastic back.

I would def not put an auto solenoid in there and will check into that "guest" box.

DJ, what do you mean by this? "Your set up is 128 HP, at the prop. The engine is just about bulletproof. The drive may be another story." I've never heard of the drive and how do you know the set up is 128 HP?

 

[chiefalen]

Re: 1990 2.3L Ford OMC Cobra 90hp - 2 problems -

It is 2.3 is i believe closer to 120hp maybe 128 hp.Thats a fact.

The grounds did you check them? Disconnect the battery and clean every ground. Every one! Spray them with some grease. I use corrosion pro.

The Starter yank it and have it bench tested. And clean those connections.

The alternator bring that with you with the starter have that checked.Clean those connections.

Make sure again the battery cables are good? They are not green at all?

Spray all the connections after you clean them with the grease.

If it were my boat for now i would take off the guest switch and run it straight without it!

Good luck!