No run condition

[bones774]

After tending to my boat after Hurricane Irene first thing I noticed was bilge did not pump out, i had to flip dashboard switch, there was a great deal of water and block may have been partially submerged and top of fuel tank may have been under water, I checked the oil and it looked great no sign of water infiltration. The float switch was a little gunky, easy fix a little late.
So I started the motor and it sounded fine , did a quick loop and pulled into my dock.
Now I replaced the rotor and cap, there was evidence of rust on the magnetic pickup(thunderbolt ignition) so I brushed it off with a flat blade screwdriver and cleaned surface with a alcohol swab put it all back together and now it won't start. I checked the ignition wires 4x over the course of hours and confident they are correct. Came back the next AM and boat started right up for about 45seconds to a minute then stalled. No start for rest of the day, next AM same thing. Did I do something wrong when i touched the pickups with a screwdriver? One of the beach neighbors says his boat displayed same symptoms when his oil sending switch went bad, could the high water have shorted it? What can I do to test it?
Could water have infiltrated the gas tank from above? Can I check fuel/water separator for evidence of water? any other options?
any other ideas? I'm at a dead end?
thnaks for all.

 

[bones774]

Re: No run condition

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions? Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: No run condition

I suspect the ignition parts. if you had rust in one spot, there is moisture in there wreaking havoc.

 

[Don S]

Re: No run condition

Do you have spark? Does fuel squirt into the carb when you pump the throttle?

Pull the cap and check for moisture in the cap.

 

[bones774]

Re: No run condition

I suspect the ignition parts. if you had rust in one spot, there is moisture in there wreaking havoc.

There was an obvious break in the sealing gasket that was replaced with the new cap.

 

[Volphin]

Re: No run condition

Check to see if you have spark and its condition. Water can drive ignition systems crazy.

V

 

[Fishermark]

Re: No run condition

Can I check fuel/water separator for evidence of water?

Sure you can. Unscrew the canister and dump the contents in a clear glass container. If there is water present, you may have gotten it into your carb. Plus you will need to remove it from your tank. If there is no water present, then I would suspect the ignition.

 

[bones774]

Re: No run condition

What i am really wondering about is, could I have damaged the electronic pickup when i scraped the rust off it? I was using a pretty soft touch and did not touch the face with screwdriver.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: No run condition

you may have gotten rust shavings in there which will effect the hall effect sensor.

I would check for spark and fuel like Don mentions.

my '02 mercruiser ignition parts were not conformal coated, so after leaving me stranded 3 miles out due to moisture corrosion, I picked up Malory parts which were coated and sealed. I do not know the differences off the top of my head between your '88 and my '02 specifically with regards to circuit construction, however both are hall effect triggers.

moisture can be displaced with a bit of dry compressed air.

 

[bones774]

Re: No run condition

If all else checks out OK, how about the oil sender switch? Does that turn the engine off if defective? Could it have been affected by the water? How can I test that?
The boat is at another location and I would like all my diagnostics ready before I get there.
Thanks

PS- How many fuel filters are there to change? I can see one at the carb inlet, is that one of those micro bronze filters I used to change on autos? is that a standard size? I then read about a filter on the fuel pump, can someone explain procedure to change that? Is is also a standard part?

 

[bones774]

Re: No run condition

Hello All,
I'm gonna be visiting my boat tomorrow and was hoping if someone could help me with some of the secondary questions about fuel filters and checking the oil switches.
Thanks

 

[Scott Danforth]

Re: No run condition

If all else checks out OK, how about the oil sender switch? Does that turn the engine off if defective? Could it have been affected by the water? How can I test that?
The boat is at another location and I would like all my diagnostics ready before I get there.
Thanks

PS- How many fuel filters are there to change? I can see one at the carb inlet, is that one of those micro bronze filters I used to change on autos? is that a standard size? I then read about a filter on the fuel pump, can someone explain procedure to change that? Is is also a standard part?

there should be a fuel filter on the engine's starboard side.

you can also check the oil switches with an ohm meter

 

[bones774]

Re: No run condition

I went to start boat today and it started up right quick, it idled perfectly for about 3-4 minutes, I shifted it into gear and it ran ok at low rpm for a few minutes but after that it started to bog down and eventually quit. I didn't get a chance for thorough diagnosis, i had ti be towed to ramp and pulled boat for season. Can any one give any insights where I should start? The engine seems to run fine but something cutting it after a few minutes. Thanks

 

[bones774]

Re: No run condition

I'm getting ready to start prepping for spring splash so i've resurrected my old thread. The boat is on the hard now next to my house. I've been thinking all winter that it sure sounds like a fuel problem and I would like to check my fuel pump. Are there any particular steps to be taken for checking pump.
Thnaks

 

[LilRedNeckGirl]

Re: No run condition

If all this started because it got dunked, i would start with that in mind. Have you checked for water in the carb/filters/seperators/tank? Runs then quits, sounds like water..... Water water water, engines wont run on it. it settles out over the winter, gets sucked and stirred up after you start the engine, then engine quits. Would be my first choice in cause and effect.

 

[dubs283]

Re: No run condition

you never mentioned if you check for spark when the engine dies/won't start

you NEED to do that, you NEED to start troubleshooting somewhere

if you have done any trubleshooting you haven't posted the results

let us know what you have looked at/tested, then we can point you in the right direction, guessing gets you nowhere

 

[bones774]

Re: No run condition

I did check the carb filter and fuel water separator, no water.
I did not check for spark, i'll do that this weekend, maybe depending on weather.