Beep....Sputter....Stall

[brockroorda]

Hey Everybody,

I was wondering if anyone had any ideas for me to try before I give up and bring my 2002 22i into the service shop.

The boat runs great 98% of the time, but at least 3 or 4 times a day it will be running smooth at various speeds, it will beep, then it sputters a little and then stalls out. It always fires back up immediately afterwards.

I have put a new fuel filter/seperator on it, ran about 200 gallons thru it already this summer so I know its not old gas. Put new batteries in it, oil changed and checked.

I hope someone can help me because it sure does suck when your surfing behind the boat and it comes to a complete stop!!!!

[da.bell]

Does the engine alarm come on?

I am wondering if a ground wire is lose. When the boat dies, how rough are the water conditions? If the conditions are rough, that might provide the ground wire enough force to disconnect itself and when you are sitting, it reconnects somehow.

BTW, I am no engine expert and I am sure someone else will comment on this but it's an initial assumption that I have.

[yellow3]

I'm guessing you have the Merc 350 MPI. If so, I might assume to check fuel pressure. I would definately assume it to be a fuel issue. However, I've heard of the grounding problems as well.

[dogbert]

I'm guessing you have the Merc 350 MPI. If so, I might assume to check fuel pressure. I would definately assume it to be a fuel issue. However, I've heard of the grounding problems as well.

That's what I'm thinking, too. Have your dealer check the codes from the engine.

[minerdroll]

I had a similar problem and the mechanic finally found a over crimped lug the made intermitent contact in the dash. The wire was part of the ignition system. When hitting rough water the boat would sputter and sometimes die due to the intermitent contact.

[KoolAidKid]

Check connections. First start with the 10 pin at the power plant. Rubber type plug on the engine itself. Could be loose.

[brockroorda]

Found out what the answer was to this.......Once I added about a half quart of oil, this problem has disappeared for over 10 weeks now. Even though the dipstick shows I'm at an acceptable level for oil, when carrying a lot of passengers or ballast in the back for surfing, my nose gets up in the air and the boat rides at a pretty hard angle with the oil level being altered.