koresample
New Member
- Mar 24, 2012
- 26
- Boat Info
- 1998 270DA 'Cloud 9"
7.4 MPI BIII
West Marine 260 dinghy
Lowrance HDS-5M Gen 2
Wet Sounds Electronic
- Engines
- 7.4 MPI
My '98 270 DA with a single 7.4 L MPI (879 hrs) has had an intermittent starting problem that i am trying to determine how best to troubleshoot. I just got it two months ago and have done a ton of work to it (new manifiolds/risers/water pump/batteries/cables-end/new hydraulic steering plus a ton of new electronics and cosmetic updates). I had it surveyed both structurally and mechanically before i purchased it as well and all was determined to be good for a boat this age/number of hours.
The problme has only happened twice; the first time the broker turned the key and nothng happened (i couldnt hear if the solenoid engaged or not as the engine hatch was closed). Second attempt it turned over but sluggishly (this was before the new batteries/cables etc). This past weekend, I went to start it a day after running it at 3500 RPM for an hour long cruise (plus some 1000-2000 rpm puttering) and the same thing happened. The only difference was that when it did catch (second attempt) the motor ran rough for about 20 seconds before smoothng out and then it ran fine for a 2 hour cruise.
My thoughts are to do the following;
The rough idleing I am thinking could be my fuel possibly. The boat was on the hard for 18 months with about 1/3 tank of gas and I don't know if there was any stabilizer. Stabilizer was added and the tank filled full before moving it for the first time. My plan is to run it for about 10 hours and replace the fuel filter with a 20 micron filter and then do the same thing again until I have run all the gas through 3-4 filters. Then adding more stabilizer and refilling it (based on the advice of two different Merc mechanics and the Sea Ray dealer).
Any other suggestions?
The problme has only happened twice; the first time the broker turned the key and nothng happened (i couldnt hear if the solenoid engaged or not as the engine hatch was closed). Second attempt it turned over but sluggishly (this was before the new batteries/cables etc). This past weekend, I went to start it a day after running it at 3500 RPM for an hour long cruise (plus some 1000-2000 rpm puttering) and the same thing happened. The only difference was that when it did catch (second attempt) the motor ran rough for about 20 seconds before smoothng out and then it ran fine for a 2 hour cruise.
My thoughts are to do the following;
- open the engine hatch so I can hear the engine and turn the key on to listen for the fuel pump to spool up in case it has an intermittent problem
- Turn the key and see if I can hear the solenoid engage (assuming it doesnt start right up the way it has the past 6-10 times I have run it)
- If the pump runs and the solenoid doesnt click-bad solenoid
- If the pump runs and the solenoid clicks and still nothing-bad starter
- If it starts as normal-pull out more hair and be paranoid as I only have one engine and boat in the Straight of Georgia
The rough idleing I am thinking could be my fuel possibly. The boat was on the hard for 18 months with about 1/3 tank of gas and I don't know if there was any stabilizer. Stabilizer was added and the tank filled full before moving it for the first time. My plan is to run it for about 10 hours and replace the fuel filter with a 20 micron filter and then do the same thing again until I have run all the gas through 3-4 filters. Then adding more stabilizer and refilling it (based on the advice of two different Merc mechanics and the Sea Ray dealer).
Any other suggestions?