Jsimanskey
New Member
Hi guys,
I've been reading what I can, but my initial searches didn't turn up quite what I was looking for. I'm asking for a little help troubleshooting some problems that popped up this season (bought the boat last year, used it all summer mostly trouble free). Some background (sorry for the length, I'm erring on the side of more symptomatic information being better):
- I had the boat winterized (central WI) by a shop recommended by a neighbor. After picking it up, the starter cranked but the engine wouldn't turn over. Not getting a good response from the guy, I found a new shop who said that the vapor tank was the issue, and that it was probably winterized incorrectly. They claimed to fix the problem, and said there didn't appear to be any issues with the spark plugs or fuel pump.
- Picked up the boat from shop #2 in May, took it to the lake. Engine started but sputtered and died almost immediately. I couldn't get it to start after that, so took it back to shop #2. When they looked at it, they called me and said it started fine and that I had likely choked it to much while trying to start it again. This is likely, as I had never realized pushing the key in served as the choke. They did a water test for me, supposedly running it on their lake for nearly an hour without issues. I later picked it up, it did start fine, and I was able to run the boat for 2 weekends.
- Over the 4th of July holiday I again had issues. Day 1, the boat started fine at the launch. Made it to my dock to pick up the family. By the time they loaded in, the boat would not start at the dock. I could hear the engine turning but it sounded like it was struggling and just wouldn't fire. I could smell the fuel, so I didn't think it was a fuel delivery issue. I figured it was weeds picked up at low speed near the dock (went in the water and could feel them, removed what I could, but evidently couldn't quite clear them all). Eventually I killed the battery trying to start. A buddy and I paddled most of a mile back to the launch before kindly getting offered a tow the rest of the way.
- Over the 4th, Day 2, I put the boat back in the water after having completely cleared all weeds from the impeller and charging the battery overnight. The boat started immediately, so I ran it across the lake for 20-30 minutes, no throttle issues or signs of engine struggle. Went back to the dock (leaving the engine running so as to minimize weed pickup) and picked up the family. Took it back to the center of the lake (where it's clear of weeds) and spun around a few times to clear the weeds I knew did get picked up at the grate. Kept at cruising speed for 20 minutes, then stopped to load a tube. Restarted, then pulled the tube for about 30 minutes, no signs of engine struggle. Stopped for about 10-15 minutes to chat and to switch tubing passengers, but then couldn't start the engine! My son had left the stereo on (it had been on since being at the dock), so I immediately turned it off fearing that I'd need the battery juice for my starting attempts. Got in the water but there didn't seem to be many weeds at the grate. Repeatedly tried starting the boat, but, similar to earlier attempts, there was no turnover and I killed the battery. Luckily, was offered a tow. Upon inspection after getting it out of the water, weeds at the grate/impeller were very minimal and at this point don't seem the likely culprit. Frustrated, I did not put the boat back in the water after that, or last weekend, wanting to just enjoy some time with family and friends and afraid of getting stranded again.
At this point, I'm wondering how to proceed. I'm handy, with a slightly better mechanical understanding than a layman, but these engines are unfamiliar to me. Two shops have told me things look good, but obviously not. I'm thinking it could be something as simple as spark plugs, although it has started pretty much immediately a few times now. Similarly, a fuel issue seems unlikely since when the boat does run there's no struggle or throttle issues to speak of. My most likely culprit given the symptoms at this point is a bad alternator that is keeping the battery from charging, and therefore leaving me at times without enough juice to start the engine, but I'm not completely sure if a low (but not yet dead) battery would result in engine crank without turning over. I know that's an expensive part and would rather rule out any less intense issues first, if possible.
Thanks in advance! I love this little boat, it's been painful not being able to run it as much as I'd like this summer.
I've been reading what I can, but my initial searches didn't turn up quite what I was looking for. I'm asking for a little help troubleshooting some problems that popped up this season (bought the boat last year, used it all summer mostly trouble free). Some background (sorry for the length, I'm erring on the side of more symptomatic information being better):
- I had the boat winterized (central WI) by a shop recommended by a neighbor. After picking it up, the starter cranked but the engine wouldn't turn over. Not getting a good response from the guy, I found a new shop who said that the vapor tank was the issue, and that it was probably winterized incorrectly. They claimed to fix the problem, and said there didn't appear to be any issues with the spark plugs or fuel pump.
- Picked up the boat from shop #2 in May, took it to the lake. Engine started but sputtered and died almost immediately. I couldn't get it to start after that, so took it back to shop #2. When they looked at it, they called me and said it started fine and that I had likely choked it to much while trying to start it again. This is likely, as I had never realized pushing the key in served as the choke. They did a water test for me, supposedly running it on their lake for nearly an hour without issues. I later picked it up, it did start fine, and I was able to run the boat for 2 weekends.
- Over the 4th of July holiday I again had issues. Day 1, the boat started fine at the launch. Made it to my dock to pick up the family. By the time they loaded in, the boat would not start at the dock. I could hear the engine turning but it sounded like it was struggling and just wouldn't fire. I could smell the fuel, so I didn't think it was a fuel delivery issue. I figured it was weeds picked up at low speed near the dock (went in the water and could feel them, removed what I could, but evidently couldn't quite clear them all). Eventually I killed the battery trying to start. A buddy and I paddled most of a mile back to the launch before kindly getting offered a tow the rest of the way.
- Over the 4th, Day 2, I put the boat back in the water after having completely cleared all weeds from the impeller and charging the battery overnight. The boat started immediately, so I ran it across the lake for 20-30 minutes, no throttle issues or signs of engine struggle. Went back to the dock (leaving the engine running so as to minimize weed pickup) and picked up the family. Took it back to the center of the lake (where it's clear of weeds) and spun around a few times to clear the weeds I knew did get picked up at the grate. Kept at cruising speed for 20 minutes, then stopped to load a tube. Restarted, then pulled the tube for about 30 minutes, no signs of engine struggle. Stopped for about 10-15 minutes to chat and to switch tubing passengers, but then couldn't start the engine! My son had left the stereo on (it had been on since being at the dock), so I immediately turned it off fearing that I'd need the battery juice for my starting attempts. Got in the water but there didn't seem to be many weeds at the grate. Repeatedly tried starting the boat, but, similar to earlier attempts, there was no turnover and I killed the battery. Luckily, was offered a tow. Upon inspection after getting it out of the water, weeds at the grate/impeller were very minimal and at this point don't seem the likely culprit. Frustrated, I did not put the boat back in the water after that, or last weekend, wanting to just enjoy some time with family and friends and afraid of getting stranded again.
At this point, I'm wondering how to proceed. I'm handy, with a slightly better mechanical understanding than a layman, but these engines are unfamiliar to me. Two shops have told me things look good, but obviously not. I'm thinking it could be something as simple as spark plugs, although it has started pretty much immediately a few times now. Similarly, a fuel issue seems unlikely since when the boat does run there's no struggle or throttle issues to speak of. My most likely culprit given the symptoms at this point is a bad alternator that is keeping the battery from charging, and therefore leaving me at times without enough juice to start the engine, but I'm not completely sure if a low (but not yet dead) battery would result in engine crank without turning over. I know that's an expensive part and would rather rule out any less intense issues first, if possible.
Thanks in advance! I love this little boat, it's been painful not being able to run it as much as I'd like this summer.
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