8.1 Won't stay running...Ignition coil not working properly

Butch5220

New Member
Dec 7, 2010
25
Lake Norman
Boat Info
30 Carver 1989
Engines
(2) 5.7s
I have a 2009 270 Sundancer with the 8.1. Engine build date is July 2007.
Now on it's 3rd crank sensor. The engine was running but down one cylinder. Also the Alternator was showing 17 volts and an alarm was going off. Ordered a new alternator and while waiting pulled the fuel rail and injectors. Sure enough, one of the injectors was clogged. Ordered new 42# injectors. Replaced both the alternator and all the injectors.
Now, when I start it, it only runs about one or two seconds. It will run a little over 5 seconds if I advance the throttle. When running it seems fat, acts like the timing is way off and backfires. The tach shows "System Fault". Also "Ignition coil is not working properly". Have double and triple checked all the wire connections.
Any help would be appreciated. I have a very good dealer but am trying not to spend all my retirement. Too old to get a job.
 
Coils can fail. Is there away to check that? Different application but my last Porsche had its coils replaced as a part of its scheduled tune up around 30,000 miles. These 8.1s have been around for quite awhile now. Maybe it is time for some significant refreshes?
 
I just looked up the life expectancy of an 8.1 ignition coil. It is estimated to be 100,000 miles. That’s about 8-10 years for an average driver. The owner manual for a Crusader 8.1 says to check the complete ignition system every 100 hours or annually. So, to the original poster, you need to learn how to check the coils or pay someone with the software to do the complete inspection.
 
It was running fine except I was down 1 cylinder. All I did was change the alternator and the injectors. Do you think the high voltage damaged the crank sensor again? Only 200 hours on the engine.
 
It was running fine except I was down 1 cylinder. All I did was change the alternator and the injectors. Do you think the high voltage damaged the crank sensor again? Only 200 hours on the engine.
Sounds like it might be worthwhile to hire a tech with the diagnostic equipment to give you a more precise diagnosis. If this is used boat you really don’t what kind of work has been performed on it in the past. If you put all of the hours on it has the maintenance schedule been followed?
 
Not aclue but wild. Make certain distributer is in correct position.
 
I have taken the fuel pump apart but saw no paint problems. Perhaps when I checked the fuel pump I accidentally got some dirt in the line. Thought I was careful but maybe not. Leaning toward cam or crank sensor. Hate spending on parts that weren't the problem.
 
Your cheap chinese injectors are probably your problem.
You probably could have done better sending your originals out for testing/repair
 
Don't believe that it is an injector. If it had a distributor, I would say the timing was way off. I have new cam and crank sensors on order. I will give them a try. If not, I have some spare parts.
 

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