New Owner Advice: Common problems/repairs easy to diagnose?

[jackkloepfer]

This is a pretty broad question, but I was hoping to get a quick listing of a few engine problems that might be common and how to troubleshoot them on the fly. Ie: "if you hear this noise, check A, B, and C."

I just don't want to get into a situation where I take my boat in for repairs, and it's something that could have been easy to do on my own.

anything come to mind?

[east tx skier]

RE: New Owner Advice: Common problems/repairs easy to diagn

I'll throw a couple out there that I've heard people ask about or have had happen to me.

1. High pitched whine. Solution: It's in reverse, put it in neutral.
2. Rumble when you put it in reverse. Clutch packing has a glaze on it just as a result of age. Don't worry about it or replace it if it really bothers you. Prop nut may not be on tight (not so much of an issue with castle nuts on CC's).
3. You hear a loud pop at speed. Check your spark plug boots to see that they're on good and tight.
4. When you bring it back to neutral, you hear sort of a growl from the prop. CNC props tend to make this noise. It's normal.
5. You turn the key and don't hear anything. Press the ignition breaker.

[jackkloepfer]

Thanks!

[Mikeski]

I am always surprised when guys overheat boats. It is usually caused by the impeller going out, a loose hose, or a bad strainer gasket. When you start your boat to warm it up (which you should always do) it should be a little loud in the first 10-30 seconds then get quiet. The quieting happens when the exhaust outlets get supplied with cooling water. It's a subtle sound change but train yourself to listen for it and you will never overheat your boat. The second thing is to watch what is coming out of the back of the boat. White smoke indicates steam, you should not see much white smoke, some small light puffs when it is cold outside. If you see billowing white smoke the motor is overheating and the cooling water is boiling in your motor. If you see dark smoke this usually indicates a carburation issue, you should never see dark smoke behind a fuel injected boat.

Also, use your nose. These PCM FI motors have a rich start cycle, you should smell a little unburnt fuel after starting the boat but not too much, it should be gone after 30 seconds or so. If your eyes ever burn when you are around the back of the boat you likely have a lean condition caused by a vacuum leak or otherwise.

Next, I pay attention to vibrations in my boat. In a direct drive the tow pylon is a good indicator. If it starts vibrating like a tuning fork something is wrong, most common cause is a damaged prop blade.

Once or twice a year go out in your boat alone or with a buddy. Turn the stereo off and drive it around for 15-20 minutes. Bring a notepad, note top speed, top RPM, operating temperature, voltage, and anything else you might need to reference later. Stick the paper inside the cover flap of your owners manual. When you change a prop or tune the boat do it again, compare it to the baseline. When you encounter a change in performance the notes will help you or your mechanic.

Have fun.

Learn your boat, learn how to notice when it is not running normally and you will have years of trouble free boating.

[ZANDERSANTE]

I like the idea of going out and writing everything down for a baseline for the future. Never would of thought to do that but it makes perfect sense. Thanks Mikeski!

[DanielC]

Some people will say you can get away with this, but I do not recommend it.
DO NOT START OR RUN YOUR BOAT EVER WITHOUT SUPPLYING WATER TO THE RAW WATER PUMP! Not even to see if it will start.
If you have launched your boat, and it does not want to start and run, check the safety lanyard. A GT-40 will start, and continue to run, as long as the key is help in the start position, but immediately dies when the key is released. I am not sure if GM engines have the same start logic.

[jackkloepfer]

Thanks, all. very informative stuff.

[aussie_stu]

Re: RE: New Owner Advice: Common problems/repairs easy to d

5. You turn the key and don't hear anything. Press the ignition breaker.

or check that it's in nuetral :mrgreen: