1989- 230 Cuddy 7.4 600hrs engine won't start

R

RayRayCACuddy230

New Member
Jul 30, 2008
9
Sacramento, CA
Just bought the boat - in Great shape, looks and ran fine for the first 4 outings on the river. The last time on the river we hatd 8 people on the boat, pulled a tube for about 2 hours - ran fine...then it started to surge, backfired and died. I re-started the engine, ran ok, docked at restaurant for 2 hours then started up to go back to boat launch, Died in the middle of the river and would not start - waited 15 min started, ran for 5 min then died...had to be towed.
1. Just had it serviced -oils, lubed, fuel filter ( it is getting gas )
2. looked at back panel - ignition switch (origional) had dark spot by solinoid (3 prong switch) friend giggled it a little with the key in the on position and gauges jumped. Replaced Ignition switch. ( 3-prong switch)
3. Also -dash lights and Front Nav light was out and replaced fuse.
4. when you turn the key to start the engine you it will run if you hold the key but then won't idle.

Sorry for the long detail

Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated

We love the boat but wife is gettin a little edgy:smt021:smt100
 
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My guess is that you are pulling up garbage from your fuel tank that is restricting fuel flow. The ethanol in your fuel is breaking it all loose from the bottom of the fuel tank. Remove your pickup tube from the tank and inspect the small screen stuffed into the end of it. If it is clogged you may as well remove it even if it is only temporary and use a filter with more surface area.

I spliced in some clear automotive filters and replaced them when they filled. After it cleared up the pickup screens went back on along with a Racor. My tank had two pickups and I now use both with a "Y" for more reliable fuel flow.
 
I'd start simple and test for a good consistent spark. With the other electrical issues you mentioned, it could be that. Get a simple spark tester hooked up. Crank the engine. If the light flashes strong and consistently, you have spark. Problem is fuel or air. Check to make sure you're choke is working also and not starving the engine of air. Once you do these simple steps, you can trek down the right path.
 
Did you change your water/fuel separator?
 
RayRayCACuddy230 said:
4. when you turn the key to start the engine you it will run if you hold the key but then won't idle.
Click to expand...

I'm curious about this statement - do you mean it will try to start with the key held in the start position? And then it wont stay running if it actually starts? While you may have fuel issues due to crap in the tank/lines/filters - it sounds like your problem is more electrical. I would check your solenoids and I would check the voltage at the ignition key to ensure you're getting 12 volts there and that you hooked the 3 wires back to the same location on the new switch. Not exactly sure on your boat but you probably have a main solenoid near the distributor/coil at the top of the motor - check the connections and make sure it's opening when 12 volts hits it. You probably also have a solenoid on the starter itself - same thing applies here. Corrosion on electrical parts is a pain - but if you take the time to remove and clean the connections then you have a good shot at chasing this one down.
 
If it won't idle, it sounds fuel related. Next time the problem happens and it won't start, squirt some choke and carb cleaner down the throat of the carb. If it starts up, it's fuel related. If not, I'd look into other things like ignition, electrical, etc.

Doug
 
Thanks again to all that replied!!! -

The !@#$%^ dealer sold me a defective switch so the boat Mechanic I hired had another - VOLA works great - I had him Change the Impeller and housing - what a PIA that was $500 later I am back out on the River!

Happy boating!
 
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