WHats the Problem???

PimpinD · Addict Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 785 City: Orlando, FL

So we went out this morning at 645am to have a full day on the water, and everything worked out fine, we make it to the bay at around 8 - 9 and non stop fun until we were out of gas, so we go to water chevron station, fill up, and clack clrack crack, the boat wont start again
engine is turning over, but nothing, luckly we were still tied up, and some guy names Eric (does some photo shoots for Alliance, last issue at least) help us out, tried to jump the battery, nothing, tried hitting the starter nothing, so we were out of luck ... and he left ...
So i went over the othe marina to see if they had those battery jumper machins,and they had a optima with 2 clamps on it, carried it like 1/2mile (SOOO HEAVY) on rocks with out shoes, and finally after about ten mins sitting with it connected to the batter the boat start ...
I Think My Problem Is the batter doenst hold charge... cuase this happens everytime .... does anyone think it could be a biggere problem?? Alt. Starter?? I dont wanna go n buy a Optima Blue top if thats not the problem ....

Thanks

Jay Dutton · Posted: Apr 19, 2003 3:15 pm Post subject:

I had a similar problem w/my boat. The only time my boat would start is w/a full charge, ever since I've owned the boat. Once I got it started I wouldn't turn it off until it was back on the trailer. I thought it was my alternator or bad battery. It turned out that my starter had gone bad(which was supposedly a tested rebuilt one I bought in Aug) The bearings in it were all jacked up and it required a fully charged battery to get it dislodged and spinning. If you cant get it to spin by jumping the solenoid it probably your starter. I just got my starter rebuilt for $90 and I've got no problems right now. Alo get to see if the alternator is charging.

PimpinD · Addict Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 785 City: Orlando, FL

yea, the guage says 13volts, and when we were trying to get it to crank it only was reading like 8 -9 which isnt evough to turn over the V8
Ill have the alt, n started check,.... can a local marine mechanic check that out?? or is it something complicated?

Jay Dutton · Posted: Apr 19, 2003 3:47 pm Post subject:

Any mechanic can check it out, car or boat. I refuse to take my boat to shop, it's a Ford 351, pretty much anybody that knows anything about cars can figure stuff out. My maintence man pointed the problem out to me it about 45 seconds.

Is it clicking or just won't turn over?
Replacing my starter consisted of tow bolts, it was really easy. Good luck w/it.

BIGMAC · Posted: Apr 19, 2003 8:58 pm Post subject:

I know that after a while of turning the starter over will wear down the battery but you said it was still turning over and you put jumper cables to it. If it was your battery it wouldn't be turning over it would have to be something else. Maybe it is Vapor lock??? Vapor lock is a condition in which fuel boils in the fuel system, forming bubbles which retard or stop flow of fuel to the carburetor which might be the case because you said you had been riding for a while and the symptoms are showing.

PimpinD · Addict Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 785 City: Orlando, FL

its EFI, but yea it had been running for a long time since 830am, it was around 1-130pm when we filled for gas... explain more about the vapor lock thing? can it be fixed?? the boat also bogged out a lil when u floor it off the line ... could that be the vapor lock cuasing that??

BIGMAC · Posted: Apr 19, 2003 9:11 pm Post subject:

I found this and thought it might explain it better than I.
Vapor lock is the result of high altitude, high temperatures, or a combination on your car's engine. Vapor lock can occur at any altitude due to heat, but it is more common at higher altitudes, because gas at high altitudes vaporizes at a lower temperature. The resulting gas/air mixture can slow down or even stop the flow of gas to the engine, especially if your car is not designed for high altitude travel.

The key symptoms that your car is suffering from vapor lock is a loss of engine power, a rough running engine, and/or a engine that will not start. To reduce the chance of vapor lock, avoid running the air conditioner, and at the first signs of power loss, shift your car into neutral and rev up the engine. Finally, be sure to shift to low gear when climbing
First, loosen the gas cap. Be sure to stand back when doing this because gas may spray out at you.
Second, remove the air cleaner cover and hold open the choke flutter valve in the carburetor with a object, like a screwdriver. Be careful - backfires can occur.
Third, start the engine, holding the gas pedal all the way to the floor - do not pump the gas.
Fourth, wrap a wet cloth or cloth with snow around the metal fuel line near the carburetor (trace fuel line to make certain it goes to the carburetor).
Finally, let the motor cool at least 30 minutes before trying to start the car.

PimpinD · Addict Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 785 City: Orlando, FL

Does my engine being EFI have any thing to do with that? I am leaving today to go back to school, can a boat mechanic check for the vapor lock?

jim Bogden · Outlaw Joined: 12 Jan 2003 Posts: 178 City: Sandy, UT

your boat sucks ass, sorry it just slipped Razz

PimpinD · Addict Joined: 17 Feb 2003 Posts: 785 City: Orlando, FL

HAHA, sorry Razz

i really did just slip