very expensive design mistake on my tige v-drive

[chpthril]

I agree. I am sure Lethal is not happy that he has to fix this. Adding salt to a wound isn't helping either. Let's provide him some "how-to's" vice adding any fuel to a fire that is already burning.

I'd like to learn more about what happened and how, as I'm kinda fuzzy on it right now, before I pass judgement. Keep in mind, this is a 5-6 yr old boat.

[Fast1911]

Life is good.....

[chpthril]

He lost his Tige to the street. It came off the trailer when he was at work. His Exwife was towing the boat.

Search the website and there is pictures.

wow that's unfortunate for her.

Atleast Da.bell didn't post it this way

[lethalwillie]

so when your steering cable goes out from all the water in your bilge, are you going to say that's a design flaw too?

yes, but water not the issue. steering cable went out at 75 hrs. in my 22v, the cable was located where it was forced into a very tight diameter turn when leaving the rack, much tighter than recommended by the manufacturer, who i talked to. this tight diameter turn forces the cable to rub a rough spot in itself. we bought a size longer cable, flipped the rack and rerouted the cable under the dash in a much wider turn. over 100 hrs on this one and still turning with one finger. always room for improvement, which is my point regarding the intake.

automatic bilge, functions properly. there is always water in my hull. when sitting on a level trailer, the low point on that hull is near the front. i would assume if sitting still in the water, kids in and out soaking wet, people sitting up front and under bimini tilting the boat forward a little more, there would be even more water in there, enough to slam rearward and splash on top of the motor. the only time i ever get all that water out is to park on a very steep ramp and pull the plug, which i do anytime i use one that steep.

for me, the issue is not are there five gallons or fifty-five gallons in that hull. i want to know i am reasonbly safe to run that motor either way, and that all has been done that can be done to protect it. i don't think this is the case. that is my opinion and i am entitled to it.

it is a pcm motor, 6L 370hp i think, really been pleased with it. lots of power, runs smooth. the intake is on top of the motor facing rearward, not down low. still not a good place for it, on this boat or any other v-drive.

we were moving when it happened. pulled the plugs, spun the water out, now have what sounds like a high knock. taking it to my mechanic thursday.

i was definitely hoping for some help, but not really expecting it. i feel like it is an important issue that any watersports boat company should consider improving. wouldn't cost much to do, except for lost revenue to them in the form of repairs.(??) my only disappointment with my conversation with mr. smith is his reaction to what happened- that he has never heard of it(possibly) and that it is practically impossible to do(paraphrasing), and that because that's the way it has always been done then that's all that is neccessary. i would have preferred a "yea that is something that could happen and that you really have to be careful and watch that bilge" for example. instead i got a very guarded response as if the company lawyer was listening in. the response i got sounds like this is a calculated risk that boat and motor manufacturers decide to take. you will never make me believe tige, malibu, etc. is not aware of this exposed intake and the possibility of something like this happening. i would like to think i was telling them something new to help improve things, but they already know it can happen. only boat owners like me need to be made aware of it.

[Fast1911]

Maybe he needs to put the plug in the boat next time out.....



Fuel Fire

[noworries]

Does PCM really have an air intake snorkel that draws air from near the bottom of the bilge? I've only ever seen spark arresters that sit on the intake on boats, perhaps with plastic trim covers like on my Merc MPI so water would have to drown the top of the engine to get sufficient quantities into it to hydro lock.

I'd like to see that snorkel. Does it perhaps extend back to the transom and downward somewhat? It'd seemingly have to be sealed pretty tightly at the throttle body to suck water into the engine. Regardless, this would seem to be a PCM design issue, not a Tige one.

Maybe the hydro lock occurred coincidentally in the traditional fashion by back-sucking the exhaust if the engine hiccuped as the boat lurched and sloshed water around the bilge.

[Fast1911]

Atleast Da.bell didn't post it this way

True....

The boat is better than ever though

[Fast1911]

Could be worse for him though.......

[da.bell]

Atleast Da.bell didn't post it this way

hahaha

True but I won't have her near my boat.

[raythompson]

He lost his Tige to the street. It came off the trailer when he was at work. His wife was towing the boat.

Search the website and there is pictures.

I searched and cannot find the story. I guess I am not using the correct search terms. Can ya'll provide a link.

[Fast1911]

Try this one on for size.....

http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...t=tige+asphalt

[da.bell]

I searched and cannot find the story. I guess I am not using the correct search terms. Can ya'll provide a link.

Ask and you shall receive.

http://www.tigeowners.com/forum/show...516#post175516

[TRD]

Thanks Dog and Samw,

I noticed that I was getting a lot of water in the bilge area when surfing. I never seen it come over the back so I just didn't think about it coming in through the blower vents. I still am not sure how it would get up to the top of the engine where my spark arrestor is, but stranger things have happened. What are you doing to correct this issue?

Thanks

[KonaKing]

Hmmmmmmmm........

I think my Tige riding on asphalt was due to a "design flaw" of the strap......

Wonder if I should talk to Tige

No that is definitely an ID Ten T problem ID10T

[balair]

Maybe he needs to put the plug in the boat next time out.....



Fuel Fire

Actually I believe that they are putting water and not fuel on that fire, unless they are bad firemen

haha had to be a smart a$$

I think deep down i would laugh if someone put fuel in a fire truck, that would just be wrong