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Starboard engine scare

G

gastite

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"I was coming back from a run

"I was coming back from a run that is about 40 minutes long at 7 nots or 1200 rpm’s
I was just about done when I had to pull the throttle back for a slower boat.
Still in forward at idle speed (680-740 rpms) the starboard engine went down.
I put it in neutral and started it back up with no problem. What the hell would make that go out, its been running for 40 minutes with no
problems, any suggestion?????

I am thinking of changing the fuel filters, the ones for the tanks and the carburetor filters.
I can think of anything else. I do have ¾ tank of fuel, maybe the fuel is bad and has water. I don’t know and it bothers me because I do have small kids and don’t want to be stranded out in Puget Sound this winter thinking there is a major problem.

Let know what you think I should check before going to the $$$$$$$$$ shop ??"
 
"What boat do you have? I hav

"What boat do you have? I have a Gibson 50' houseboat. At 1200 RPM it runs at 7 MPH. At this speed the boat runs almost level. The fuel pick up line is located aft in the tank. If I raise the speed to 10 MPH or a passing boat raises the bow any accumulated water moves to the fuel pick up. Since I have a water seperator, this doesn't cause a problem unless it is more than the capacity of the seperator.

Is it possible that a wave lifted you bow and gave a drink of water to your carburetor from your fuel tank?

Do you have a water seperator? If so, have you checked to see if it is full?

Just some thoughts.

Chuck"
 
"I have a a fuel seperator tha

"I have a a fuel seperator that is part of the fuel filter, the problem is it's not clear so I cant see if there is water in the filter. I will change that.

Its a 1984 34' Sea Ray Sedan flybridge.
Crusaders 270 hp."
 
"If it has the original igniti

"If it has the original ignition key switch you should replace it. Go to a marine store and get a marine ignition switch. Models vary according to the number of wire terminals. When installing new switch, be sure that the drain hole in the body of the switch is pointed down.

The same thing happens to old cars but most cars get junked before it happens. People who restore classic cars tend to run into the problem.

If your distributor cap and rotor are more than 2 years old I'd go ahead and replace them. Distributor caps are the most over looked item for home mechanics. Be careful when changing dist. cap to transfer wires deliberatly one at a time to ensure that you do not get the wires mixed up.

Always change you fuel seperator/filter at least once a year."
 
"Eddie, that’s a good idea. La

"Eddie, that’s a good idea. Last week I had trouble with starting both engines.
The alarm buzzers that come on when the keys are in the on position did not come on, I made sure upper toggle switches where correct and they were and the lower helm looked good. I had to take a panel off and I checked the 2 wires that each alarm buzzers have and they both looked good but then after putting the panel back the 2 alarm buzzers came on and then I could start the boat.

I am wondering if those alarm buzzer switches have something to do with the engine going down yesterday. I get the feeling these two alarms, one port one starboard are like a relay switch and if they don’t make they will not let you start the engines or if one stops making in the middle of your run it will shut down the engine. Am I correct in theory?
Could this make the engine shut down after 40 minutes of running?

Thank you Team"
 
One other thing to check is th

One other thing to check is the batttery connections. Don't forget the spot on the engine block where the ground cable attaches. Are the battery cables marine grade? It should be printed "marine" on the outside.
 
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