Boat owner for 2 months, first time on water(under power) today!!

[U.S.S. Too Tall]

I guess I should start at the beginning. While on vacation, the wife and I decided to purchase a boat. We (mostly I) had been talking about it for a while, and we saw a boat in great condition, hull and interior, and the motor in very good condition. Just needed alittle love.
The boat..... 1979 MFG Caprice. 140hp, with the OMC 400 outdrive. Shorelander/ShoreStation trailer.
The boat was at a marine shop, for sale. So we went in asked questions, and got the boat. It turned out, the boat needed a carb rebuild kit, which wouldnt be at the shop till after we had to return home. It was a little hard to start. Carb cleaner or starter fluid worked well. The boat also received a new battery. So, we take the boat to the campground, and plan to put in in the morning. The time came, and we put in, cranks but no start. take it back to the shop, the fuel pick up line wasnt pickn up fuel. So the shop fixed that problem. Then bad weather decided to come by, and boating on vacation was not going to happen.
Have the boat at home now. Ordered the carb kit, and rebuilt. Charged the new battery, cause I killed it trying to start the boat at a lake near home(before the carb kit). So, rebuilt carb, new charge on battery, time for a day on the water.
Today was the day. Put the boat in, and turned the key, Click. The starter clicked about 5 times before turning over the motor, and running beautifully. Drove around for a few, noticed around 35mph at about4000rpm. (is the speedo jumping around normal?) Slowed down to idle, just tooled around for a minute or two. Im not sure exactly how it happened, but as I was thinking about hitting the gas, or as I hit the gas, (slow throttle increase) the motor stalled out. Again the starter clicked a few times before turning over the motor, and starting up. Ran it around the lake twice more without trouble. Then brought it in, fortunately time for work.
I think that a new starter would be in order for the click. But where should I start with that? check and clean wires, is there a relay to check before installing a new starter? But I think the more pressing question is the stall out. I dont know where to start with that.....
For the most part, it was a great day!! Finally ran the boat, with little trouble, and had a great time with it. Yes, I got a little worried when it stalled, but was happy that she came back on.
Any thoughts, or suggestions would be great!! Thanks!!

 

[reddogg]

Re: Boat owner for 2 months, first time on water(under power) today!!

I'm more of an outboard guy, but from reading this forum I've figured out that atleast 90% of a boaters problems are related to fuel/carb issues witch really goes back to fuel or fuel pump issues it seams. How healthy are you fuel lines? Are they old, stiff? Might be time to replace those. Also make sure that you have a fuel/water sepperator/filter instaled. Is your fuel tank clean (no crud floating around). You can have a newly rebuilt carb but if crud from the tank gets in it, it can cause problems. Is your fuel pump pumping like it should? These days with all the talk about ethanol fuel and such, it really pays to make your fuel system as bullitproof as you can. The boat, being a 79, might not have the updated rubber hoses, etc.. that are made to handle the newer fuels. Just my 2 cents, hope ya get her figured out.

Red

 

[U.S.S. Too Tall]

Re: Boat owner for 2 months, first time on water(under power) today!!

First off, I would like to say that when I glanced at your post, your name jumped out at me. Red Dogg was my Grandpas handle when he drove semi's. So, wow.
Um, I know that the pick-up line is brand new. The rest of them I have no idea. As to the tank itself, also no clue. The fuel pump seemed to be working well, after the shop replaced the pick-up line. I know that I have a bottle of "Seafoam" in the tank with premium fuel. I know that doesnt change the ethanol issues that I was told about, but they said the Seafoam would help.
About how long does a fuel/water separator filter last? I know that when it comes time to get the boat winterized, I will have a lot of maintenance done to her, engine oil & lower oil change, maybe a tune up, and whatever else the shop by home recommends.
Thanks for your input reddogg. I will take a look at the hoses and see what I can find.

 

[reddogg]

Re: Boat owner for 2 months, first time on water(under power) today!!

Lol, I picked reddogg because My dog's name is red Most people change the fuel/water sepperator/filter out at the begining of the boating season and some will do it again in the middle depending on use. The seafoam is great stuff and will act as a fuel stabiliser and an engine cleaner (using it like you are will slowly get the built up carbon deposits out of your engine), but it does nothing as far as dealing with ethanol fuels. There is allot of arguing around here on ethanol and it's effects on engines, rubber parts etc. some will say it's not an issue and some will say it's the devil himself My way of dealing with it is to only buy the gas I need for a particular outing and to not let any sit in my tank longer than a month, when I store for the winter, I store with dry tanks. Another issue with ethanol is that it will clean the crap out of your fuel sys so if you have an older sys with built up crud in it it's really important to keep up on the filters and it can damage the older rubber parts that were pre-ethanonl. That's why I said to try to make your fuel sys bullit proof. On my most recent boat I went as far as draining and cleaning the gas tank, replacing all the fuel lines from the tank to the engine and evan the ones on the engine as well (outboard). I also use the marine version of sta-bil (the blue stuff) just in case. It won't hurt anything and also acts as a fuel stabiliser and cleaner. I use seafoam when I decarb my engine. Hope this helps ya and please feel free to post any questions you may have. This is the best forum I've found online for getting help and advice and the people here are generally the best you'll find. Luck to ya

Red

 

[southkogs]

Re: Boat owner for 2 months, first time on water(under power) today!!

For the starter - check your solenoid, and maybe just replace - they're pretty cheap. Then if that doesn't do anything, have your current starter rebuilt. You should be able to find a local shop to do that MUCH cheaper than buying a new one.

Regarding the stalling out - how long had the boat been just sitting? It sounds like pretty random stalling, and I'm wondering if that may just be from blowin' stuff through the engine from having sat for a while. Before I did too much pulling and yanking, I may have it out on the water again (with a tow in plan in place) to see how it runs a second time. If you can find a consistent point at which the beast stalls out, that may answer a few questions as to what's going on with it.

 

[U.S.S. Too Tall]

Re: Boat owner for 2 months, first time on water(under power) today!!

Thank you guys for responding. Southkogs, Im glad to see that you have a OMC I/O, but what does the yeah I know mean? What am I getting into???
Anyway, to test the solenoid, do I just jump the lugs with a large gauge wire?
As for the stalling, I am hoping that it was a fluke. After I rebuilt the carb, I had the motor running many times in the driveway, of course there is no load on the engine like this, so Im sure that had a factor in it. I think that I will just let it go for now, seeing as there is not a good way to trace something like that. Hell, it could have just been that the idle was a little low. Who knows!?!

 

[southkogs]

Re: Boat owner for 2 months, first time on water(under power) today!!

HA! The "yeah, I know..." is basically because of how bad a reputation the OMC Stringers have. I bought it kinda' unaware of "what" an old OMC Stringer was (got it really cheap), and have been learning for the last couple of years. So far, it hasn't been too bad but it has made more of a mechanic out of me. By now I've heard most of the Stringer jokes (there are a few good ones out there), but I've gotten to like the boat and honestly I like the drive.

I wouldn't "test" the solenoid, so to speak. If you're hearing them "click" when you hit the switch, trust them for the moment. If you're not hearing them "click" then change 'em. On mine, they were a basic Ford solenoid (I forget AutoZone's part # for them) and they were under $12 each. It was just easy while I had everything taken apart to change them out all together.

Stalling is kinda' a funny - I just worked on my Dad's '02 Mercruiser for a stalling issue and it turned out to be (mostly) his idle adjustment. There's probably a condensation issue in the line somewhere too, but I didn't figure any of that out.

 

[U.S.S. Too Tall]

Re: Boat owner for 2 months, first time on water(under power) today!!

Ok thats good to hear. I hear it click everytime. Just sometimes, thats all it will do is click. Like I said, maybe 3 or 4 times of click, click, then starts right up. I do believe that the stall was because of the carb rebuild that I did. I played with the needles on the bottom outside of carb, (I think thats the idle adjustment needles?) so it probly just needs some more tinkering done there.
As to the stringer, I really never planned on doing any of the MAJOR work to the boat, should/when it needs it, but knowing that I love taking **** apart, and that I do it everyday, I should be able to do "most" of the work. But hopefully I get a lot of play time outta her before she needs major loving!!!! When that time comes I will be turning to the book, and all you guys for help/questions!!
Thanks again for your help!!

 

[U.S.S. Too Tall]

Re: Boat owner for 2 months, first time on water(under power) today!!

If you're hearing them "click" when you hit the switch, trust them for the moment. If you're not hearing them "click" then change 'em.

Yes for the moment. I think that its done. The "click" is still there, but got just a little softer. You can feel it, if you put your finger on it. But I have decided to replace the relay and the starter. It is no longer starting at all. It will click a few times, and then it wont for a few times.I am guessing its the starter. We will know when the two parts come in....

 

[southkogs]

Re: Boat owner for 2 months, first time on water(under power) today!!

Did you order a new starter or are you having it rebuilt? They're pricey to get a new one.

 

[seaboo]

Re: Boat owner for 2 months, first time on water(under power) today!!

Possibly a stupid question but before replacing the starter have you looked (and cleaned) the battery connections (hot and ground) at the battery ALL the way to the starter REAL well? It is amazing how may electrical "problems" are just a bad connection (been there, done that, bought parts that were not needed).

 

[U.S.S. Too Tall]

Re: Boat owner for 2 months, first time on water(under power) today!!

I ordered a new one. I think that it will just be easier to replace it, then to wait and have it rebuilt. There is a wedding coming up on Sunday, and EVERYONE wants to use the boat before so. So, new is faster. And yes, the battery connections are clean, and the relay was also in question. On a "marine" starter relay, or any of the other components on and around the engine.... Is the relay susposta have a rubber coating over top of it, after the connection has been made? I thought that this was a little strange, but then it made sense too. To protect from water jumping the connections. That is the only wire/connection issue that I saw. Hopefully the parts come in today, like now!!! Ill let you guys know....

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Boat owner for 2 months, first time on water(under power) today!!

Possibly a stupid question but before replacing the starter have you looked (and cleaned) the battery connections (hot and ground) at the battery ALL the way to the starter REAL well? It is amazing how may electrical "problems" are just a bad connection (been there, done that, bought parts that were not needed).

X2 Even if the cable connections lookk good and clean, they can fail do to corresion under the connectors. I had mint looking cables, a rebuilt starter, and a new batt, but still had the click, click, start. I was checking my cables again and a connector pulled off the cable in my hand . . The cable under the connector was all green/corroded. where the connector crimps on the cable. I cut off a few inches of cable and put on a new connector and the prob was solved. What are ya gonna do next if ya put a new starter in and still get click click click?
I have a feeling your- just replace part$ and hope for the be$t is gonna bite ya in the ar$e.
You $tated that your gue$$ing $tarter...Ugggg.....It may be, but I would start small and work up to that. Boating can be rather expen$ive hobby replacing parts that actually need it, let alone replaceing parts that dont. Especially on an older boat, with an OMC [obsolete marine corp]
drive. You add up gas, insurance, storage, maintenance. It can get expensive fast. If ya have real deep pockets, more power to ya. But ya might wanna reconsider how you spend your boating dollar. Just my 2 cents worth. Best of luck with her, and happy boatn' PJ

 

[U.S.S. Too Tall]

Re: Boat owner for 2 months, first time on water(under power) today!!

Oh no Paul, I completely understand that. I hate throwing parts at a problem. Its a terrible idea. The only reason that we just went ahead and ordered both new was because we are going out on her on Friday. The new starter and relay cost $250!! Not a cheap fix to anyone, but it did solve the problem. I am 99% sure that it was the starter, but I replaced both. I already had the relay out, so it seemed smart to just put new on. I am planning on rebuilding the old starter, and either holding onto it, or selling it. I will defiantly be holding onto the relay, all the others look the same, so it would be nice to have a spare.
With the new starter on there, she fires right up, no hesitation at any point. I am loving it!!!
BTW Paul - nice tow rig. Mine, 2011 Silverado, 1500 ext cab, long bed, 4x4, 5.3, Z71. Nice

 

[paultjohnson]

Re: Boat owner for 2 months, first time on water(under power) today!!

Nice ! I am glad ya got it figured, I just had t throw my 2 cents in, a little food for thought, if you will...My tow rig has been great, it tows like a dream with the long wheel base. I imagine yours 10 yrs newer is sweet ! Awesome.. Anyhow good luck w you new toy, and i hope ya have a ball !!! PJ