ssupko
New Member
Had my first major engine failure on the water today. 4 carefree seasons, and WHAM - The luck ran out today. Alright, here is the story.
Last weekend, I took my 2006 Sea Ray Sundancer, 350 MAG, out for a slow boating cruise one night after dark. I never ran up on plane, but when out of the no wake zone, I would kick it up two 2000 RPM or so. Well, this initiated a engine alarm on my Smart Craft system to "Check Engine" and of course was accompanied by a soothing beeping. I pulled her back to idle speed, and the alarm and "check engine" message disappeared. Up over 2000 RPM, same pervious result. I headed back to the dock, and disconnected the batteries.
I returned a few days later, reconnected the batteries, and headed out for a short 10 min. cruise. Up on plane this time, pushing her to 5000 RPM, and everything was as usual. Tested her back out at 2000-2500 RPM and no issues. Dock, and thought everything must be ok now.
Move forward 3 more days to 8:00 AM today, and I'm heading out for a 25 mile, 50 minute cruise to a destination up river. Everything was totally normal, until we were about 1/2 mile from the destination, 45 minutes later, running between 4000-4500 RPM for the entire duration. Same Smart Craft alarm sounds, "check engine" display comes up...I ignore, seeing my destination just ahead. I continue along for about 30 more seconds and the engine shuts down. Attempts to restart result in an alarm beeping (w/ check engine displayed on Smart Craft) and failure to turn over. However, placing it in neutral with some forward throttle get the engine to turn over and the engine to hum all the way up to 5000 RPM with no issues. I pull it back to then engage the drive - Alarm and shut down.
Temp - Normal. Oil Pressure - Normal. Inspect the bilge - Normal.
Any advise?
PS - We obviously got a tow the last half mile, so don't worry, I'm not still floating out in the James River 10 hours later. ;-)
Last weekend, I took my 2006 Sea Ray Sundancer, 350 MAG, out for a slow boating cruise one night after dark. I never ran up on plane, but when out of the no wake zone, I would kick it up two 2000 RPM or so. Well, this initiated a engine alarm on my Smart Craft system to "Check Engine" and of course was accompanied by a soothing beeping. I pulled her back to idle speed, and the alarm and "check engine" message disappeared. Up over 2000 RPM, same pervious result. I headed back to the dock, and disconnected the batteries.
I returned a few days later, reconnected the batteries, and headed out for a short 10 min. cruise. Up on plane this time, pushing her to 5000 RPM, and everything was as usual. Tested her back out at 2000-2500 RPM and no issues. Dock, and thought everything must be ok now.
Move forward 3 more days to 8:00 AM today, and I'm heading out for a 25 mile, 50 minute cruise to a destination up river. Everything was totally normal, until we were about 1/2 mile from the destination, 45 minutes later, running between 4000-4500 RPM for the entire duration. Same Smart Craft alarm sounds, "check engine" display comes up...I ignore, seeing my destination just ahead. I continue along for about 30 more seconds and the engine shuts down. Attempts to restart result in an alarm beeping (w/ check engine displayed on Smart Craft) and failure to turn over. However, placing it in neutral with some forward throttle get the engine to turn over and the engine to hum all the way up to 5000 RPM with no issues. I pull it back to then engage the drive - Alarm and shut down.
Temp - Normal. Oil Pressure - Normal. Inspect the bilge - Normal.
Any advise?
PS - We obviously got a tow the last half mile, so don't worry, I'm not still floating out in the James River 10 hours later. ;-)