help, I need a good boat mechanic!

[sharkcatcher2]

I have a 1989 blue water with a 3.7LX 180HP four cylinder motor. I have wasted? all most $800 with my local mechanic throwing parts at this motor but the problem still persits. They want me to take it some where else to be fixed, I actually had the nerve to complain! After running about 7-8 miles consistently the motor begins to bog down intermittenly, within 5 minutes or so it grows worse until it finally dies. I have replaced all the plugwires, points, condesor, water filter, water in the tank, supposedly a broken pin on the distrubtor shaft, a leaky gasket onto the spark plug, and still the problem is there. My Longview mechanic can't find the time to acutally take the boat out on the river and run it to diagnose the problem. Any body have any ideas or know a good mechanic that mabe can actually fix the problem? The boat runs great up to that point. Help!!!?

[Bull Hunter]

Here are some thoughts. Be advised that I am not a mechanic, but I do work on my own boat and my own rigs. I have also built a few motors in my day...ohhh and I have made a few dead lawn mowers and chainsaws work again... :jester:

Sounds like you have a fuel problem to me. Have you tried changing the fuel filter? Do you have an fuel/water separator? It may need to be replaced. Maybe there is something in the fuel tank that is clogging the pickup.

Did you leave fuel in it over the winter...if so and it is carbureted, spray some carb cleaner in there. If you are mechanically inclined you can take the carb apart and clean it up without too much trouble. Do not attempt this unless you know what your doing.

Hummm...other thoughts....Does it start after it cools down? Something in the fuel delivery chain (fuel pump(s), injectors) may be getting hot then not working right and starting to work once they cool down.

My opinion is that all of things you replaced will be a problem at the time the motor starts and especially when cool. This is no indicative of what you have described. Your mechanic is a putz.

Eric

[nikkidog]

I had a similar problem years ago on a 17 FT. Fiberform. It was equipped with a 70H.P. Merc outboard. The thing would run fine for about 2-5 minutes then suddenly have problems. The shops could not find the problem......I did. The rubber fuel line had peeled an internal piece loose that was floating in the system. When you put it hammer down the rubber piece would get sucked into the connector and plug the fuel flow.........the thing would die. Understand this was a older outboard (79/80 vintage) but the problem was not the motor...it was the fuel hose. Needless to say I ended up repalcing the fuel line shortly therafter.:shrug::shrug:

[cutbait]

I would also ckeck the anti-siphon valve at the fuel tank.It will be what the fuel line from the engine is clamped to. I've seen debris get pulled into it from the tank and do what you are describing.Remember that valve(looks like a regular hose barb)usually.must be there Coast guard regs.If it needs replaced they are inexpensive .with the year of the boat I would replace the fuel line.Must be coast guard approved.double clamp both ends.Hope it helps.

[suckerfish]

I would replace the ignition modual. These things can act up. They seem to get worse as they heat up. Once ebery thing cools off, the engine will fire again until the modual heats up again.



suckerfish

[Gundog]

When it dies pull the carb filter screen off look down in the carb and pump the linkage look for fuel you will see some steam rise when you pump it if it is warm and it is getting fuel. If no fuel check to see if the fuel pump is getting fuel. Keep looking for a fuel blockage if no fuel.

If the carb is getting fuel then it is probably in the ignition system somewhere check for spark. Cap, rotor, module, electric system connections ETC what ever type system you have check it all.

That thing needs spark and fuel to run so it has to be missing one or the other to die.
Mike

[chucks electric]

hello, those merc 470 engines were an abortion, but given the symptoms it sounds like your running out of fuel. if the engine dies out gradually then that is an indication that the fuel supply is going away there could be debri in the tank that is plugging the pickup tube. use a 5 gal can of gas and add piece of fuel line to the fuel pump then run it again and make sure that you have some one with you to hold the can of gas and help you. is the battery still up? if so then you could still have a weak spark or power problem getting back to the coil, does it backfire? i recommend Advanced Marine Service on se 111th off of foster 503-762-2294 ask for Steve he wont screw you and will get the problem fixed.