Weekend from hell...Need a fuel pump

[dogbert]

Where is your bilge pump? I'd either move it or add a second one in the back off your boat. For what it's worth, my neighbor has a Malibu who's packing seal is leaking badly. They're complaining about sluggish performance also, but always after the boat's been in the water for a while. Aside from the obivous moisture issues, excessive bilge water can cause your boat performance characteristics to change dramatically as the water weight tends to flow to the worst possible place as you accelerate...kind of like a counterweight to your engine's thrust.

[jleger98]

The bilge pump is directly under the motor. Don't have any problems with that (unless I forget to run it....gotta get me one of them float switches )

This isn't "sluggish" performance, it just bogs down and will die if you don't jack the throttle. I just replaces the packing seal too, so thats not leaking. As for your neighbors, its a malibu, what do they expect?

[TeamAllen]

Dog, I'm not taking away from your ideas, but my problem only happened after long fast pulls like skiing then stopping. We weren't surfing at all. I better go back and read some of those again. Maybe I'm missing something?

[jleger98]

mine only seems to happen after a lot of hard work by the engine (ie surfing). Its possible that there is just too much heat/humidity in the engine compartment. Maybe the idea of an additional blower on the bilge intake is a good one?

[anhaney]

mine only seems to happen after a lot of hard work by the engine (ie surfing). Its possible that there is just too much heat/humidity in the engine compartment. Maybe the idea of an additional blower on the bilge intake is a good one?

Another thing you need to pay attention to is when people climb back on the boat. They climb right over the engine and drip all the water of their body into the engine compartment. We give everyone a towel and tell them to dry off before climbing over the engine compartment. And we have some big towels that we put over the engine compartment. Water and engine electronics just do not like each other.

[jleger98]

I have a direct drive, so thats not really an issue for me.

[dogbert]

Another thing you need to pay attention to is when people climb back on the boat. They climb right over the engine and drip all the water of their body into the engine compartment. We give everyone a towel and tell them to dry off before climbing over the engine compartment. And we have some big towels that we put over the engine compartment. Water and engine electronics just do not like each other.

I have that issue, but I think Teamallen and jleger have direct drives.

[dogbert]

Dog, I'm not taking away from your ideas, but my problem only happened after long fast pulls like skiing then stopping. We weren't surfing at all. I better go back and read some of those again. Maybe I'm missing something?

No worries. Hey, we all have the same engine. I did get from my dealer's service manager that the Mercruisers were finicky...if you had one that worked, don't mess with it, but it could be a real bear getting one back to top shape once it started misbehaving. I occasionally have problems starting like you guys do, but I think part of my problem may be that I'm letting go of the key too early so it doesn't really kick over. Then you pretty much have to wait a few seconds to let it get itself squared away.

I couldn't remember if you said you'd changed your plug wires yet. I was told they will heat up.

[anhaney]

No worries. Hey, we all have the same engine. I did get from my dealer's service manager that the Mercruisers were finicky...if you had one that worked, don't mess with it, but it could be a real bear getting one back to top shape once it started misbehaving. I occasionally have problems starting like you guys do, but I think part of my problem may be that I'm letting go of the key too early so it doesn't really kick over. Then you pretty much have to wait a few seconds to let it get itself squared away.

I couldn't remember if you said you'd changed your plug wires yet. I was told they will heat up.

I talked to Jledger via phone and covered the whole ignition system issues with him. I am thinking his issue is a combination of a few things and he needs to get rid of all the issues. It is just time and he will be all set.

[jleger98]

Yeah, Anhaney and I have been round and round on this. Based on conversations with him and feedback from everyone here, this is my plan:

1. make sure the bilge blower hose isn't full of water.
2. double check that the bilge pump hose is routed to be higher than the through-hull (at some point) before it gets to the through-hull
3. make sure that for the gas tank exhaust vent, the hose is also higher than the through-hull at some point before it gets to the through-hull
4. Add a secondary blower (already have one) to the intake for the bilge to help in moving fresh air in.
5. change plug wires
6. add a fuel pressure valve to ensure the fuel pressure is not the problem.
8. replace the electronic ingition module under the distributor cap.
9. if none of that works, drink heavily.

[TeamAllen]

Sounds good, keep us posted. I will look at all those as well.
I have never replaced my plug wires. I will do that!

[dogbert]

9. if none of that works, drink heavily.

Before you do that, save your beer money for a trip to your Tige dealer. They can be most helpful.

[dogbert]

Sounds good, keep us posted. I will look at all those as well.
I have never replaced my plug wires. I will do that!

Mine were replaced at 400 hrs along with my plugs for the first time. The reason you want to do this is that unlike your car, you are running your boat engine at high RPMs for much longer periods of time. More RPMs means more electricity through the wires and that results in more heat build-up from resistance. This causes fatigue.

[anhaney]

Mine were replaced at 400 hrs along with my plugs for the first time. The reason you want to do this is that unlike your car, you are running your boat engine at high RPMs for much longer periods of time. More RPMs means more electricity through the wires and that results in more heat build-up from resistance. This causes fatigue.

You are right. Boat spark plugs should be replaced every 150 hrs so they do not turn into big resistors. That is another whole lesson I should start a thread on.

[jleger98]

Yeah, Anhaney and I have been round and round on this. Based on conversations with him and feedback from everyone here, this is my plan:

1. make sure the bilge blower hose isn't full of water.
2. double check that the bilge pump hose is routed to be higher than the through-hull (at some point) before it gets to the through-hull
3. make sure that for the gas tank exhaust vent, the hose is also higher than the through-hull at some point before it gets to the through-hull
4. Add a secondary blower (already have one) to the intake for the bilge to help in moving fresh air in.
5. change plug wires
6. add a fuel pressure valve to ensure the fuel pressure is not the problem.
8. replace the electronic ingition module under the distributor cap.
9. if none of that works, drink heavily.

Bringin this one back from the depths

Ok, so today I made some progress:
The blower hose was not full of water (of course it had been sitting all winter). But I did get back under the gas tank to look at the blower hose, and guess what I found? The hose had a GAPING hole in it. When I turned the blower on, about 90% or the air was coming right back into the bilge. Not only was this REALLY dangerous, but would explain why there was all the condensation on the motor every time it would die. The blower was just pushing air around inside the engine compartment.

So I replaced that hose, and routed it a little better so it wasn't so pinched when it came back up behind the gas tank. Then, I replaced the 3" blower with a 4" quieter blower. Additionally, I put another blower in the front where the air comes in. This was also a 4" blower (Rule 240 4'' Inline Blower RUL240) with some cheap little 4" to 3" adapters I found at Menards for like $.99. Anyway, now when I turn the blower on, it makes about the same amount of noise as the single old one did, but there is definite airflow coming out the vent in the back. I also have new plug wires and plugs. Probably won't be able to get it out on the lake for a few more weeks, but hopefully this will solve the problem.