I picked up some fuel filters to take to Mexico to address the lack of power at high rpm on my port engine (2003 5.7 MPI Captain's Choice). I also found the MEFI 4/4B diagnostic manual on the internet. One of the better manuals I have ever seen in terms of explaining the product and how it works. And it has a 20 step proceedure for this problem (#6 is the fuel filters) but as you pros know, most of them involve using a scanner. Since I plan to keep the boat for some years and have little local support, I feel I need to buy a scanner, if not for this problem then perhaps the next one. Also, when I had the starboard engine apart, I “eyeballed” the distributor adjustment (it does not set timing but does set another parameter, the cam retard). And cam retard can only be set correctly with a scanner.
My understanding is that only Rinda makes scanners for this engine, and there are two options, the scan tool ($399) and the Diacom PC software and connection package ($579). The scan tool comes with either a MerCruiser or TechMate decal but is the same device. Can anyone comment on the merits of using one over the other? My understanding (which may be wrong) is the they both do the same thing, show the same data and have the same tests, but the scan tool only can show one parameter at a time and so is less convenient. But the phone answerer (I would not call him a tech since he had never heard of cam retard) at Rinda kind of tried to steer me away from the Diacom when my questions got detailed. I am not sure what that is all about.
Any comments or advice from anyone that has used one or both would be very much appreciated. Thanks.
CaboJohn
My understanding is that only Rinda makes scanners for this engine, and there are two options, the scan tool ($399) and the Diacom PC software and connection package ($579). The scan tool comes with either a MerCruiser or TechMate decal but is the same device. Can anyone comment on the merits of using one over the other? My understanding (which may be wrong) is the they both do the same thing, show the same data and have the same tests, but the scan tool only can show one parameter at a time and so is less convenient. But the phone answerer (I would not call him a tech since he had never heard of cam retard) at Rinda kind of tried to steer me away from the Diacom when my questions got detailed. I am not sure what that is all about.
Any comments or advice from anyone that has used one or both would be very much appreciated. Thanks.
CaboJohn
