End of the Season for Me??

[fellinger]

The last time I ran the boat was the day we left on the tuna trip. I noticed the boat was difficult to start, requiring a lot of extra fuel (pumping the throttle). I showed up today to go fishing and it took me a very long time to start the boat, again needing a ton of extra fuel. Once started it high idled fine but, when in dead idle it would stall.

Assuming it was water in the fuel we pulled the spin on filter but it was clean. Added HEET just to be safe and again could not keep it running at dead idle. In the process we killed the battery (weak already) and replaced it. Pulled the distributor cap and it was dry. Sprayed it with electrical dryer for precaution -  still no better.

Now here's where things get trick for me. The oil level is higher now and I have not added oil. It appeard to be ok colored but, mayber brown vs black? At high idle and running for a long period of time there is visible exhaust coming from the valve cover breather hoses. There is also small drops of water from those hoses as well. Not sure if it's condensation or water from the motor itself.... ?

We did manage to at least try to put the boat under a load. At high idle with no load it ran and hit max rpm. Under power it bogged and only hit 2,000rpm. While testing it on the water we pulled the spark plug wires while the engine was running. There was no change in engine rpm or sound when we pulled 2 specific ones, lending me to believe I do have exhaust water in the block and 2 cylinders are not getting spark??

Anyway from my expert panel I'm being told that it appears that I may have an exhasust manifold leak or gasket problem.....

In addition to that I think a good tune up/replacing wires are in order.

Any other thoughts?

Looks like I'll be pulling the boat for the season   That 25 Carolina Classic is looking better all the time. Anyone want a Trophy?? LOL  

Motor is a Mercury 5.7L - 1991'ish

[fellinger]

One other thing we noticed while pulling the plug wires from the distributor was an occasional arc from the two screws on top of the ignition and an arc from the main wore from the ignition to the cap to the plier we were using....

Could an ignition issue allow the motor to high idle without a load on the motor but not if there is a load on it?? 

[Hunter 2]

 ,  sorry to read that. Good luck Fred

[Kenny]

What kind of engine...IO or outboard..

Just saw your edit re engine...

Did the oil smell like gas?  you said it was over full....this could be fuel washing down past the rings due to no combustion in a cylinder or two...

Were the sparks plugs white or black?

[fellinger]

What kind of engine...IO or outboard..

I updated the post - 1991'ish Merc 350 5.7L. No clue how many hours.

I am very hopeful that someone tells me this could be just an ignition coil/wire problem. Maybe the power is being robbed by arcing and not allowing a low idle or high rpm when under load?

[Luna Sea 5]

Fred.. starting after this storm, Ill be heading out.  Fridays are best till the second week of November, then Saturdays.  I always have room..

[Offshore Madness]

Check all the plugs and smell the oil...if it smells like gas 

[fellinger]

Check all the plugs and smell the oil...if it smells like gas 

Don't you know you never check another's plug for gas?     

[Hotrod]

 

[Kenny]

 

[IrishAyes]

It may be possible that fuel is leaking past the fuel pump diaphragm and getting into the crank case.

[paul-e]

Sorry to hear Fred.

Can't help. I'm a pick up the phone repair guy.

[BigAl13]

Fred Check a couple things.1) remove the wire from the top of the cap to the coil, with this being removed take out one of the two suspect plugs put a rag over the hole and turn over the engine take notice to what comes out ie. water,fuel,or oil. Do this again with the second plug. 2nd what carb do you have on the motor if it is a quadrajet it could be two things theres a take off on the starboard side on the top of the carb that controls the butterflies on the secondaries. The other is in the bottom of the carb there are two sealed ports that are totally useless but non the less sometimes they leak causing the fuel to leak into the bowl and cause rough starts. Was there any back firing when running? The timing could be off, check it whit a timing light on the #1 cylinder it should be around - 2 degrees TDC.

[Still Running]

Call me today after lunch.

[Ms Fish]

Gosh Fred, sorry to hear bout the troubles.... it seems its always something.... B.O.A.T Bring Out Another Thousand ...story of my life. Good luck. I am sure Rick or BA will be able to help you out.   

[PeggyLee]

Ah hell no body likes to hear about a breakdown on the boat.
Hope it is a quick fix for you Fred and your back on some of this Bass action.
Some good suggestions from the guys on the above posts.
Good Luck

[Bucktail]

   Good luck Fred.

[fellinger]

Thanks for the well wishes everyone! I hauled the boat out today with the assistance of Chris - THANKS MAN! It is now at the auto body of a local 'old salt' who is going to help me fix it. He is a dealer for Mesco so, it should be a reasonable repair. In return I get to learn how to wrench on the motor and pick the brain of a man with 50 years or so of fishing/boating experience. It's kinda of like hanging out with your old man again - pretty cool. I learn something everytime I talk to him.

In return we're going to keep is Welcraft V20 at my slip until the season ends.

Good luck with the storm, all!

[Fishin Dude]

You can't beat that deal.

[ChrisL]

Glad I could help 
And glad your safety chains were in good shape