Ignition Tune Up

[bugup]

I am in my first off season with my 1995 Maxum Cuddy with 4.3L. To say that my first summer last year was a bit frusturating is an under satement. When I bought the boat and had it inspected it ran okay and started but I am quickly finding out that my idea of running well and theirs are a bit different. Anyhow, my boat became more difficult to start through out the summer. Throttle pumping, noisy starter, etc. This off season I have decided to give it a complete going over and tune up I guess to prevent it from happening this summer. I will pull the starter and replace or grease the bendix,have the carb looked and readjusted if req. Another thing I am cosidering is to give the ignition system a tune up. I have a Thunderbolt IV ignition. I believe this is an electronic ignition can anyone confirm this? I have seen some tune up kits for these. I am considering buying one and also new wires as well. Any thoughts on what are the best products? I just want the confidence this year that she will just flash up perfect each time and not wonder each time I shut it off in the middle of the lake.<br /><br />Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Ignition Tune Up

Yes, it's electronic ignition. Next, there is a lot more to it than just throwing some parts at it for a tuneup.<br />What about the drive, it costs as much as an engine, and it needs as much if not more service than the engine.<br />You also mentioned running, hard starting, and starter problems. Did you know that water leaking into the engine from old/defective exhaust manifolds and risers have destroyed more engines than anything else on a boat? It also causes all of the problems you mentioned, And, if you have original manifolds & risers, and boat in salt water, well, you are WAY OVERDUE for new manifolds and risers.<br />Tuneups are easy, NGK spark plugs, Mercruiser or Sierra cap and rotor, every year, new filters every year. Winterizing, and spring recommisioning should also be done.<br />You also need a manual for your engine and one for your drive. The good news is the manual for your engine is actually online. The only 4.3 Mercruiser that is. Here is the link.<br /><br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/18/18covr2.pdf <br /><br />There is also one for your drive, but I don't know which you have an Alpha I Gen II or a Bravo. Either way here is both. Pick the one you have.<br /><br />Alpha drive:<br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/14/14cover.pdf <br /><br />Bravo Drive:<br /> http://www.boatfix.com/merc/Servmanl/11/11covr5x.pdf

 

[bugup]

Re: Ignition Tune Up

Don<br /><br />Thanks for your reply. The drive is in perfect condition and when I bought it they went through everyting and it checked out (3rd party), risers fine etc. I believe it is just that I like things to work perfect. i.e Turn the key and she just purrs, not pump crank, pump crank, hear the bendix etc. I believe I made the mistake last year of not putting on a new water/ fuel filter which was contributing to some of my problems. I followed your winterizing tips that I saw on this site, however, you mention spring recommisioning. can you please explain what you mean.

 

[I/O WALDO]

Re: Ignition Tune Up

Funky carb./bad accelerator pump & starter.Ig.tune up a waste-o-$$!

 

[paulie0735]

Re: Ignition Tune Up

Wait, if your risers and other related parts have all checked out ok than try this. Hook up a water supply and run the engine at night, if need be cover the engine loosely with a blanket to block out any light and look under it, you might find your own pyrotechnics display, if I'm right you have a bad coil, if I had 10 bucks for every time somebody has put the incorrect coil on an electronic ignition system than I could retire now and go boating for the rest of my life. In the dark you will see the plug wires sparking everywhere if they are shot also the coil will be discharging spark everywhere but down the wire to the dizzy. The problem sounds spark related to me and based on the symptoms as described above I'm willing to bet the coil is the major cause of your problems! The wrong coil will often work fine for a little while and slowly get worse till it just won’t work well enough to run the engine.

 

[Fishermark]

Re: Ignition Tune Up

I believe it is just that I like things to work perfect. i.e Turn the key and she just purrs, not pump crank, pump crank, hear the bendix etc.

I know we are used to just turning a key on our cars and it starts up with no throttle pumping, etc, but that's not going to happen with a carburated boat. You will always need to pump the throttle handle a time or two to "set" the choke. I would make sure your choke is working properly in addition to the other things you mentioned. (New fuel water separator, etc).<br /><br />With the engine cold, pull the flame arrestor off the top of the carb and look. the choke plate should be open. Now pump the throttle a time or two. You choke plate should now be closed. If it isn't it may be time for a little cleaning up of the carb and the various linkages.<br /><br />The noisey starter probably needs attention as well. I just wanted to point out that carb equipped engines are always going to be a little "fussy" when starting cold. They all like a little bit of pumping - some more than others.