Official 280 Sundancer Thread

[Jeff Delbuono]

I added a 1 extra light in the arch ( in the service plate) and a extra light under back seat. Also a nice touch is the guage lights to match. Plus 4 under water lights to sexy it up

 

[royalpiper]

Very sharp indeed.

 

[Gunn]

Also a nice touch is the guage lights to match. P

Are those 194 bulbs the correct bulbs for the instrument gauges? My multi-gauge for the starboard engine has had the light out on it for years, never did investigate if I could access a bulb or what type it was. That would be fantastic if it was just a simple bulb.

Would also be interested in what type of underwater lights you have. I have some big old white halogen bulbs that are not very sexy at all

 

[Jeff Delbuono]

Yes they are. Easy swap out too. And the lights are from e bay. I put 4 of them just at the water line, i live in NJ and the water is kinda skanky so didnt want to go to low. When driving it lights the water as if its on fire. 3rd year with them and no problem. Put them on other boats and they are awesome. Not bad for 70 bones

 

[just1time]

Removed the useless cracked plastic cupholder and made a better simple cupholder. Fully functional and solid

Items: $30 Amazon steel cup holder
$5 Home Depot treated wood,
$8 Home Depot wrap

plan to get some non-skid material and put it under so that can be a useful storage for cellphones etc.

 

[just1time]

I would be ok with the two cockpit/stern lights being white. Don't need them to have the changing color effects like the arch lights.
Is there a white bulb I can change them to to avoid rewiring and changing the whole thing?
Otherwise, I saw these on amazon, I would have to cut the wires to connect them.

https://www.amazon.ca/Waterproof-Navigation-Courtesy-Interior-Sailboat/dp/B095GJCFXF/ref=sr_1_12?crid=2RC3G49A8P5Q6&keywords=perks+stern+light&qid=1656596710&sprefix=perks+stern+light,aps,75&sr=8-12&th=1

i have to update and report that these didn’t work as a replacement for my cockpit lights. They fell just a little short of 3inches in size compared to the originals.
So now I need two LED replacement for my cockpit lights.
For those who have changed the two cockpit lights to LED, what did you go with?

 

[AlexK]

I have been having the same issue. Only gets water in the bilge when under way. I have twin 4.3’s. I think it’s from the port motor but not sure. I have tried to look around for leaks while under way, but has not worked for me. I’m not comfortable sitting in the ER while on plane. Seems too risky. I have tightened every hose clamp I can see but that didn’t help. Someone suggested putting some cardboard under the motors, so that is my next attempt to locate. If we run for an hour or so I end up w about a gallon or two in the bilge. My fear is what ever is leaking is going to open up all the way. Please post what you find if you resolve and I will do the same.

Turned out to be a simple fix for me. I replaced old freeze plugs (blue plugs) and made sure they are tight. No more issues.

 

[AlexK]

I did fix the leak issue, but today discovered a new problem. My port side engine died on me while under way, after about an hour. No warning signs or beeps. Engine temperature was normal. Sequence was like this:
- Engine died
- Put shift to neutral, pushed "start" - engine started.
- Shift forward - works at idle speed
- I increased RPM - engine died
- Repeated the same steps, same result
- On third attempt, engine doesn't start at all. It's cranking, but not "catching"

Great to have two engines, we made it back to the marina and docked on one engine.
Any ideas on what this may be? Clogged fuel filter? Flooded carb?

 

[Lazy Daze]

I did fix the leak issue, but today discovered a new problem. My port side engine died on me while under way, after about an hour. No warning signs or beeps. Engine temperature was normal. Sequence was like this:
- Engine died
- Put shift to neutral, pushed "start" - engine started.
- Shift forward - works at idle speed
- I increased RPM - engine died
- Repeated the same steps, same result
- On third attempt, engine doesn't start at all. It's cranking, but not "catching"

Great to have two engines, we made it back to the marina and docked on one engine.
Any ideas on what this may be? Clogged fuel filter? Flooded carb?

The fuel water sep is easy enough to check - if you have the spin on style, dump it into a clear glass jar. If you have the drop-in style, suck it out with a turkey baster.

Can't be the carb... your engines should be fuel injected.

First place to start is the fuel.

 

[Gunn]

Removed the useless cracked plastic cupholder and made a better simple cupholder. Fully functional and solid

Items: $30 Amazon steel cup holder
$5 Home Depot treated wood,
$8 Home Depot wrap

plan to get some non-skid material and put it under so that can be a useful storage for cellphones etc.

Inexpensive and simple fix that looks great!

 

[just1time]

I successfully changed the circulation pump on my engine. Some water was let out since I had to disconnect the hose. Can someone please me where to add some water to the system I don’t want to start the engine and make a fatal mistake if I do need to top the water up.

thansk

 

[Lazy Daze]

I successfully changed the circulation pump on my engine. Some water was let out since I had to disconnect the hose. Can someone please me where to add some water to the system I don’t want to start the engine and make a fatal mistake if I do need to top the water up.

thansk

Water comes from whatever type of water the boat is sitting in. It fills on it's own. Unless you have a closed cooling system with antifreeze... do you have that? But then it wouldn't be "water" that leaked out.

 

[just1time]

Water comes from whatever type of water the boat is sitting in. It fills on it's own. Unless you have a closed cooling system with antifreeze... do you have that? But then it wouldn't be "water" that leaked out.

Thanks I actually just learned all this.
it draws fresh water from the outside.

 

[AlexK]

The fuel water sep is easy enough to check - if you have the spin on style, dump it into a clear glass jar. If you have the drop-in style, suck it out with a turkey baster.

Can't be the carb... your engines should be fuel injected.

First place to start is the fuel.

Thanks.. Stupid me. Letters MPI should have told me it was a "Multi Point Injector" I am going to try simple fix and replace fuel filters first.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Thanks.. Stupid me. Letters MPI should have told me it was a "Multi Point Injector" I am going to try simple fix and replace fuel filters first.

That's alright, the boating world seems to be inundated with silly abbreviations!

I should add (for clarity)... while it's always good to check these little things, first... your boat only has one fuel tank so it's "unlikely" to be a fuel quality issue.

 

[AlexK]

That's alright, the boating world seems to be inundated with silly abbreviations!

I should add (for clarity)... while it's always good to check these little things, first... your boat only has one fuel tank so it's "unlikely" to be a fuel quality issue.

Mechanic at the marina said it's electrical. No power to the fuel pump.

 

[just1time]

Can someone tell me where the oil pressure sender is located on a 4.3L MPI? Been down there but cant seem to find it.

 

[Lazy Daze]

Can someone tell me where the oil pressure sender is located on a 4.3L MPI? Been down there but cant seem to find it.

Approximately where an oil filter would normally be attached to the block. Follow the oil lines from your filter. Both the sender and the sensor are there.

 

[just1time]

Approximately where an oil filter would normally be attached to the block. Follow the oil lines from your filter. Both the sender and the sensor are there.

Takes a lot to wear me out. But Am about to give up On finding o this oil pressure sender. I tried to follow the lines from the oil filter but it goes all the way to the back where I can’t see or feel. I have looked at lots of videos and pics of similar 4.3L mercruiser engines but none are explicit on the location.
Am I missing something here.
Would really appreciate if someone could guide me towards it with pics.
Am new to DIYing on these engines so bear with me please.

 

[scoflaw]

the 1 for the alarm is up top about 8 " from the distributor looking at the motor from the front it's on the right rear. the other 1 for the gauge is same side down around the #5 plug.