Engine cutting out

[Dieter]

2002 four winns 4.3 v6 180 horizon. Took the boat out this weekend and it was idleing at about 1100 rpm I idled it down to around 700 and then it seemed to run a little rougher, and would die. Wot was not achieved only around 3000 rpm, before it began to cut out and sputter. Gas tank was over three quarters full when i bought the boat a month ago so gas is old. I have changed the oil, sparkplugs ac delco, and fuel filter. First question, the fuel filter I bought was from napa it does not say it is water separating like the old one is there a difference? I also pulled the carb after going to the lake and checked for varnish it looked brand new. My guess is bad gas or distributor possibly corroded? The tank is now completely full because I thought it would be good to add some new gas to the old. Thanks for the help guys.

 

[cr2k]

Re: Engine cutting out

Sounds like your carb needs work. It should never idle above 600. PO probably just turned it up hide the problem.

 

[Don S]

Re: Engine cutting out

What engine and outdrive?
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=220416

 

[Dieter]

Re: Engine cutting out

4.3 chevy mercruiser alpha one 2002 model

 

[Dieter]

Re: Engine cutting out

Engine serial number om354503. Drive om420379 Hope is helps

 

[Dieter]

Re: Engine cutting out new info

Re: Engine cutting out new info

Pulled the spark plugs tonight. 5 looked great, not to hot good color on ceramic, in one cylinder though the whole electrode and part of the ceramic was melted/burned. The old plugs were all uniform just old. When I went to napa the salesman said acdelco did not make the r43t any more the new one was 41-993 aka 1925606 I didn't notice untill tonight that the plugs are slightly different the new ones are about 3/8 of an inch longer in the threads than the r43t's. So what could have caused the one cylinder to melt a plug?

 

[Bt Doctur]

Re: Engine cutting out new info

Re: Engine cutting out new info

http://www.angelfire.com/extreme4/skidoolympique/SPARK_PLUG_CROSS_REFERENCE.htm
a marine store should have the correct plugs, too long can run hot and melt a piston not to mention hitting the piston

 

[Dieter]

Re: Engine cutting out

Ok thanks but I can't figure out how none of the other plugs are messed up too?

 

[Dieter]

Re: Engine cutting out

Just wondering everyones thoughts on the fuel water separator? And plugs I know it didn't hit the piston cause none of the other plugs look like that one. After I go to napa I'll let you all know the results of the spark plug dilemma

 

[achris]

Re: Engine cutting out

Just wondering everyones thoughts on the fuel water separator? And plugs I know it didn't hit the piston cause none of the other plugs look like that one. After I go to napa I'll let you all know the results of the spark plug dilemma

Use a proper water separating filter. Get the RIGHT plugs. Both can be sourced from a proper MARINE supplier. When it comes to boat engine parts, give NAPA a miss, use genuine... It may cost a little more at the checkout, but it will be worth every cent in reliability and peace of mind...

 

[Dieter]

Re: Engine cutting out

Well I just did compression test all cylinders with the spark plugs that were good came out with 145 to 150 the one cylinder with the bad plug was 125 what is going on? The plugs that were in the motor when I bought the boat did not look like this one, that is messed up. did I trash this motor because I used the wrong plug ? Also I pumped some gas out and it was a dark color did not look good at all it is a 32 gallon tank and I think i will be pumping it all out.

 

[Dieter]

Re: Engine cutting out

I looked at the spark plug chart showing the different malfunctions and the picture of detonation looks closest to mine. Bad gas is one culprit I think any more ideas?