Boat Quit running

Crazy

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 17, 2003
Messages
76
Today I started up my boat and let it run for 15 to 20 min ... ran great . It's a 1976 Sea ray 22 foot 351 V8 ford , Fueled it up with gas and a few hours latter was on my way ... the boat ran for like 5 min and quit !!! Tried restarting and it wanted to but it was a no go ... What do you guys think ? I was thinking it was the points ... took the cap off and they don't look new .... hahaha is it points or fuel problum ????
 

daveswaves

Ensign
Joined
Mar 22, 2002
Messages
901
Re: Boat Quit running

Really can't tell with the info given but I doubt its the points. You mention that you filled it up. Does that mean it was nearly empty all winter? If so you would have condensation in the tank, our freeze thaw winter was good for that, and you may have pulled water up into your carb. :(
 

boatingfool

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Nov 30, 2002
Messages
610
Re: Boat Quit running

How did it quit??<br /><br />Did the engine start "breaking down" before it quit??<br /><br />Or did it bogg down and quit??
 

Boatist

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 22, 2002
Messages
4,552
Re: Boat Quit running

Crazy<br />Could be water in fuel but start sinple.<br /><br />Gap a old spark plug to 3/8 of and inch then pull a spark plug wire and put on plug. Ground plug to block and crank engine. If have good spark then point and coil ok. You can try more wires or check with a timing light. Next I would check compression on all cylinders. If that is ok then check timing. If timing is ok then my guess is a fuel problem. Do you have a water/fuel seperator??
 

daveswaves

Ensign
Joined
Mar 22, 2002
Messages
901
Re: Boat Quit running

Good suggestions guys, I'm still betting he has pulled water up into the carb. Hey Crazy, if you dont have a water fuel separator.....install one. The reason I am still saying fuel is you mention the engine "tried", it can't "try" with no spark. Boatist has a good idea with the old plug gapped to 3/8 of an inch, easy way to check spark/ignition system. :)
 

Crazy

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
Apr 17, 2003
Messages
76
Re: Boat Quit running

Okay guys ... get ready for this one ... I'm a BONE head !!!! Today I changed the points , and it started right up . See I have my main gas tank in to be fixed it has a leak .. So I hooked up a little tank and cut a notch in the dog house ... to run the fuel line . Well the boat STOPPED in the same spot today ... Wow isn't that something .... Well it ended up being ..... I put the dog house on top of the fuel line and cut off the fuel supply ... What a BONE HEAD !!! I just ran out of gas .... !!!! Hahaha Thanks for all the help guys . Oh ya .... The boat is great took my first ride in her today ....
 
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