SoCal Jet Boats
Tech Talk => Engine Mechanical / Electrical => Topic started by: snuff630 on March 01, 2009, 05:08:42 PM
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So 2 weeks ago we bought our first boat...jet boat. The day we bought it, it ran great and strong all day. A constant 5000-5100 RPM's all day.
Today we went to Lake Elsinore to get practice and have some family fun and the first 3 laps around it ran normal like before, on the fourth lap the RPM's would randomly and suddenly drop from 4900 to 3500 and back up and then the boat would just shut off. It was like it was starving for fuel by I had 1 full tank and the tank I was running from was 3/4 full. What could be happening? Also, how do I know if my secondary in the carb is working properly? Does anyone know where I can take my boat to get serviced? I want to get her back out on the water ASAP!!
PLEASE HELP!! I'm a complete newb and a total retard when it comes to stuff like this. :mad: :banghead:
Thanks in advance!
Greg Reader
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sounds to me like maybe your coil is on it's way out the door, or maybe just a loose wire?
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Sounds like something easy well get you back in the water .check for lose wires behind the ignition or coil,turn the key on boat not running move the wires around and watch the tach to see if it jumps.
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Thanks guys!! I'll try that all tomorrow after I get home from work....I'll let you know how it goes!
Greg
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Thats got vaporlock or fuel restriction written all over it....My .02c.
GT
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Elsinore brings out gremlins ;D
If you're running an electric fuel pump, check the wiring closely. I had a similar problem with a broken wire behind the dash.
If your boat still has the original wiring you need to make sure it is well supported so it can't move around much, because after 30+ years it will break easily.
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Hmmm.......the RPM's in my boat went up and down just before a rod decided to exit the block :banghead: :mad:
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OUCHIE cj :o
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CJ that SUCKS a BIG ONE!!! :o So I got home too late to work on the boat cause my son had a scrimmage baseball game...tomorrow will be the day to work on the girl. So, check for loose wires...fuel filter...fuel lines...what else?? What is vaporlock? Like I said I'm a mechanical retard...but only cause I've never tried working on engine type stuff. I can design ashplat like no ones business though! HAHAHA My friends at work said I needed a hobby.... sad. :screwy:
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CJ that SUCKS a BIG ONE!!! :o So I got home too late to work on the boat cause my son had a scrimmage baseball game...tomorrow will be the day to work on the girl. So, check for loose wires...fuel filter...fuel lines...what else?? What is vaporlock? Like I said I'm a mechanical retard...but only cause I've never tried working on engine type stuff. I can design ashplat like no ones business though! HAHAHA My friends at work said I needed a hobby.... sad. :screwy:
Vaporlock is when you get air in the lines from something getting the fuel hot? GT is this correct? ASPHALT I dump a lot of asphalt at work never designed anything :o
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You aren't really holding the boat wide open all day are you??? :o
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Not to get off topic...but where do you work??
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Not to get off topic...but where do you work??
City of Rancho Cucamonga
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Nice! I did alot of work out there a long time ago... Now I'm with a supplier... Vulcan Materials Company.
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Vaporlock is when you get air in the lines from something getting the fuel hot? GT is this correct? ASPHALT I dump a lot of asphalt at work never designed anything :o
Close enough boost, vapor lock can occur when the fuel reaches a vapor point or boiling point, does not really mean there is heat but that the pressure dropped below its boiling point and the pump won't pump vapor, so she starves to death...
GT
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So in essence...it Vaporizes.... HAhaha
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You aren't really holding the boat wide open all day are you??? :o
Not quite sure what you mean Electro.... I just know it was embarrassing after riding on my neighbors Eliminator Daytona O/B at 80mph and then saying hey lets go for a ride and it did that crap to me. :banghead:
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Ok guys...and lady ;) back to the original topic. Here's some pic's I just now took....where AND what do I start with?? This first pic, I added an arrow pointing at a spark plug wire that was touching the connection but not secure like it should be...could that have been the culprit? So here's the pic's...where do I go from here?? and don't say scrap the chevy for a ford! HAHAHA :sly:
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some more pic's...and if you need more tell me what to take pic's of.... ::)
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I don't see a water separating fuel filter, also I would modify/replace the dizzy, thats an automotive delio, there could also be the small fuel filters in the carb bowls, I would check it out...
GT
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I would say that yes, the plug wire not being 100% connected probably had a bit to do with your lack of performance, along with the things you've already found. Set your timing @ 36* total and give it a rip. I don't think your dizzy knows it's in a boat, so it's probably just fine.
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I would say that yes, the plug wire not being 100% connected probably had a bit to do with your lack of performance, along with the things you've already found. Set your timing @ 36* total and give it a rip. I don't think your dizzy knows it's in a boat, so it's probably just fine.
True, but closed engine compartment would make me nervous.... :sly:
GT
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And YES your dizzy is at the wrong end ;D could be the culprit ;D
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Hahaha ok guys... back to basics... remember i'm the slow kid on the short bus and you're making me dizzy with all this dizzy stuff. ;D WHAT is the DIZZY?? HAHAHA but seriously??
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Hahaha ok guys... back to basics... remember i'm the slow kid on the short bus and you're making me dizzy with all this dizzy stuff. ;D WHAT is the DIZZY?? HAHAHA but seriously??
dizzy is short for distributor.
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Ok got it....I know what that is. ;D
GT, as for a water seperating fuel filter...i followed the gal lines and there is a fuel filter on them...looks like a siver easter egg, is that what you mean? Also, filters in the carb...where? I have reposted some pic's for arrows for my next question...is that this flap supposed to move? I can't get it to budge....
Luckie...how do I set my timing at 36* and is the * degrees? Should I just take it to someone to have the timing set...i don't know if I trust myself :banghead:
Where can I get all new screws and bolts and stuff...I don't like looking at the rust?
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HOLLY MOLLY he needs help.
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Snuff I feel your pain !! :o
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Ok got it....I know what that is. ;D
GT, as for a water seperating fuel filter...i followed the gal lines and there is a fuel filter on them...looks like a siver easter egg, is that what you mean? Also, filters in the carb...where? I have reposted some pic's for arrows for my next question...is that this flap supposed to move? I can't get it to budge....
Luckie...how do I set my timing at 36* and is the * degrees? Should I just take it to someone to have the timing set...i don't know if I trust myself :banghead:
Where can I get all new screws and bolts and stuff...I don't like looking at the rust?
1.The silver egg is a fuel filter, get a new one, make sure you get a good one, Fram at the least.
2. The filters in the carb would be where your fuel lines enter the carb, check 'em for clogs and whatnot, they're easy to get to, carefully remove the fuel lines and the fittings from the carb, put it all back like you found it.
3. The flap is the choke, it's good that it doesn't move.
4. Nuts bolts & misc, try Summit, Jegs or Holley directly
5. Timing, if you don't know how to do it, find someone that does, maybe BOOST can give you a hand?
Hope some of that helps.
Skip
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HAHAHA that's why my neighbor said not to touch ANYTHING without him here to watch me... HAHAHA!!! :screwy: I swear to god, I learn fast, I just need some lessons Boost.... Either Saturday or Sunday I'm taking her out again.....
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Skipp,
THANK YOU!! Yes that all helps and I can do all of that. So that flap is supposed to not move...GREAT news!! If you hadn't told me that, I would have made it move... HAHAHA ;D
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well technically it is supposed to move, if you live in Montana and you're trying to drive your car on a cold day, for a boat in So Cal, So Az, you don't need to sweat it, it's probably wired open, just make sure it stays that way.
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Good to know Skip... I've been reading EVERY thread I can get too...I think my fiance is gonna kill me if I don't stop but I'm one of theose people who HAS to know how stuff works and I'm not satified until I learn and learn and learn. Thats why my job WAS my hobby til I got the boat! :screwy:
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The short piece of rusted cable is holding the choke plate open (not a big concern unless you have a hard time starting when cold).
There could be small filters inside the fittings that are screwed into the float bowls (what the fuel line is screwed into).
To set the timing you will need a timing light. You adjust the timing by turning the distributor (slightly) to change the advance/retard. loosen the distributor hold down screw and get your timing light hooked up, have someone start the engine and hold the throttle at about 3000 rpm, while watching the timing mark adjust the distributor to get 36 degrees total advance (the reason you set it with rpm raised).
As for the distributor being wrong for the application, I agree with Lucky Stiff about the distributor doesn't know what it's in (reguarding driveability), but I also agree with GT that with an enclosed engine compartment you need to have a coast guard approved distributor to limit the chance of fire.
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Crewchief, Great info!! I have a friend who I will ask to hel me check the timing... good to know about the dizzy. It makes sense about the fire issue... I'm looking at a Summit Racing Equipment catalog right now... got any reccomendations on a good marine dizzy since my compartment is closed?
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got any reccomendations on a good marine dizzy since my compartment is closed?
This is a good dizzy for the price,
(https://www.socaljetboats.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fstatic.summitracing.com%2Fglobal%2Fimages%2Fprod%2Flarge%2Fmaa-ylm567ev_w.jpg&hash=2f0f655432edcc462c6e1f71ca14086301d30fd9)
match it up with a good Mallory coil,
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=MAA-9-29717&N=700+400249+4294890813+4294752242+115&autoview=sku (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=MAA-9-29717&N=700+400249+4294890813+4294752242+115&autoview=sku)
new plug wires and new plugs, you'll be set
http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=MAA-YLM567EV&N=700+400249+115&autoview=sku (http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?autofilter=1&part=MAA-YLM567EV&N=700+400249+115&autoview=sku)
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Since you are going out your way and asking for help lets tune that bad boy. Let me know when you are ready and we will get the family back in the water.
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Bring it to the next "Test and Tune/Tow" day at Elsinore. I am sure one of the gearheads here will help you out and get you running good.
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I'm definately up for the next test and tune/tow day at Elsinore!! When we planning to go? Boost, you gonna be there? I live 10 minutes from the lake. I'm trying to get back out there this weekend. With the way it went last weekend, I was really let down so I have to get her wet again ...to get the good feeling ya know. ;) I'll probably be one of the boats that needs a tow!!
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I'm definately up for the next test and tune/tow day at Elsinore!! When we planning to go? Boost, you gonna be there? I live 10 minutes from the lake. I'm trying to get back out there this weekend. With the way it went last weekend, I was really let down so I have to get her wet again ...to get the good feeling ya know. ;) I'll probably be one of the boats that needs a tow!!
I was thinking about this weekend depending on the weather. Right now it looks like rain :mad: I know some others need to get out too. We will get it on the books soon.
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I'm definately up for the next test and tune/tow day at Elsinore!! When we planning to go? Boost, you gonna be there? I live 10 minutes from the lake. I'm trying to get back out there this weekend. With the way it went last weekend, I was really let down so I have to get her wet again ...to get the good feeling ya know. ;) I'll probably be one of the boats that needs a tow!!
RAIN this weekend :mad: check your pm
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NO BUENO on the RAIN!!! :mad: PM checked... Thanks Boost!