2001 Ski Nautique GT-40 stalling

[skinautiquefreak]

Hey guys,
This is my first post so bear with me. I've been a long time Nautique owner and have used this forum for problem solving many times but have never had to post... So here goes. I have a 2001 Ski Nautique 196, with a GT-40, that is having stalling problems. The boat has stalled out at high RPM, usually right after take off, once or twice every summer but started right up and went on without any problems the rest of the day. This summer it did it again multiple times and although it started up after letting it sit, i had to idle back to the dock this time. The engine runs smooth and doesn't feel like it is missing, even when it is having problems. Took the boat out and changed the fuel filter, which was pretty dirty. When I backed it down the ramp to test it, it would turn over and then die immediatelywhile still at an angle on the trailer. I couldn't get it started! Took the boat out of the water to flat ground and walla! it started. I then took the boat to the local boat mechanic and he was able to start it at his shop and run it for an hour without any problems. The mechanic then took the boat to the same ramp and walla! same problem, he couldn't get the boat to start unless he held the start button in. The mechanic seems to think there is a bad run circuit on the keyless keypad that is intermittenet. i have never had any problems with the pad before, not to say it couldn't and does happen. The lights are always bright and the codes have always worked fine. I started the boat this evening in the driveway and it started and ran fine. I checked the oil and it is reading halfway between full and add. Is it possible that there is not enough oil and that when the boat is at a highe angle it stalls out. Is there a sensor in the oil pan for this? I'm at my wits end and just want to go skiing! Can you guys please shed some light on this? I love my boat but...

[DanielC]

RE: 2001 Ski Nautique GT-40 stalling

Do this:
http://planetnautique.com/index.php?...=fuel+pressure
Report back.

[AirTool]

RE: 2001 Ski Nautique GT-40 stalling

No and no on your oil level / pan questions.

[skinautiquefreak]

RE: 2001 Ski Nautique GT-40 stalling

I'm pretty sure the mechanic checked the fuel pressure... he left his guage hooked up to the FCC in the boat. Anyway, I think the pumps and pressures are ok. I pulled the boat out this morning and toped off the oil, and it still wont start on a level driveway. I took the boat to the local CC shop and will find out tomorrow what they think the problem is. I will ask them if they cheked the fuel pressure when they call. Thanks for the help. I will keep you all posted when i find out more.

[skinautiquefreak]

RE: 2001 Ski Nautique GT-40 stalling

Alrighty then! Still no boat in the water! As I said I took the boat to CC dealer for the repair. The mechanic said the boat ran fine for 45 minutes when he started it up, first try. He then put the boat in their dip tank and it wouldn't run. He called PCM and ran through a checklist they gave him with all systems OK. He then called CC headquarters and they advised him that they couldn't recommed anything until the boat had been serviced. SOOOOO... $300 later I have 8 new sparkplugs and a new rotor/distributor. They called me up and said the boat is running good and to come get it and take it to the lake for a test. Picked the boat up and went to the lake... It started then died, again and again. I finally got the boat running and backed off the trailer when it died again and I couldn't ever get it started again. I then rowed the boat back onto the trailer and delivered it to CC again! OMG! Kill me now!!! The service manager said he might want me to come in and show them how I'm starting the boat. As if I'm doing it wrong! I've been starting it the same way every time for the last eight years since it was new. The service manager then said the mechanic will take the boat out on the lake and begin to test the electronics. Several days later I called to ask how everything was coming along and he told me he was going to order a map sensor. He forgot the part about calling me and letting me know how much and that they weren't going to take it out to the lake. We called CC headquarters to complain about poor service and the reps there said it sounds like they are doing everything right and that the mechanic is a pretty good mechanic. So now I'm just waiting for them to put the part in and test the boat.

[RJP56]

Sounds pretty much like the same problem we had, bad low pressure fuel pump. Intermittent fuel problems. Next time the boat dies, remove the plug from the bottom of the FCC. Have a funnel and a bottle handy to catch fuel. You should get between a cup to a pint, approximetly, not sure exactly, about 2/3 of the volume out of bottom of FCC. I only had a couple drops come out of there. FCC can should be full when running to supply High pressre pump with fuel all the time.

[Joesboatn]

Is your fuel tank full? Im wondering if when your sitting at an angle on the ramp if your fuel pick up is sucking air. Ive never seen how the pick up is configured but i find it odd how it was starting on a flat surface but then having issues at an angle then when it did start you may have had air in the system wacking it out. Just a thought.

[slob02]

I didn't read all the responses......but make sure you check the relays. Sometimes they work......sometimes they don't.

[DanielC]

Sometimes you can have intermittent problems.
You have to check the fuel pressure when you are having problems, not when it is running good.
I cannot stress how important proper fuel pressure is on these engines. There is no feedback to the computer of fuel pressure, or the air/fuel ratio.

[AB]

Also make sure your kill switch is not starting to go bad.
Mine did, and I made up a jumper to bypass it and that was the problem.
I put a new low pressure fuel pump on and new filter, but not the solution.

When it stalls, turn the key off, and open the box. turn the ignition on and see if you hear the low pressure pump running.
If the kill switch is bad, it shuts off the fuel pumps.

IF it is running, it is probably a bad low pressure pump that is starting to go out.

I have a used low pressure pump that I think is still good, if you want to try it.
A new one is about $140, I'd sell mine for $50. It is out of a '99 GT40 with <300 hours.

[jjgag60]

Idle

If the dealer does replace the Map Sensor, you want to know the code the code scanner showed before they replaced it. There should be no reason for replacing the MAP unless they got a code from the ECU. The MAP sensors are explensive. I am guessing they (the mechanic) does not have a code reader, otherwise they would know what is wrong or isn't wrong and would be looking at the fuel system where 90 percent of all problems on Gt- 40's exist.

[skinautiquefreak]

The boat is now fixed and the service manager said they replaced the MAP sensor which allowed the mechanic to diagnose a bad air sensor which needed to be replaced. The boat is reported to be running how it should. Does this sound right? Did I really have to pay for the MAP sensor or are they trying to pull a fast one? Each sensor was $200. So Far I have poured $1000 into this fix and am a little angry it took so long and cost so much for a less than one hour job and $200 part. Should I let this go? They serviced the engine (changed the distributor rotor and spark plugs which cost me $290 and I didn't even get an oil change out of it...? What the heck! I'm out of my mind. i will pick the boat up on Saturday and take it for a run, maybe that will calm my nerves :x

[skinautiquefreak]

Replying to jjgag60 post: is there an ECU on the 2001 boats. I talked to CC HQ about this and I thought they said my boat didn't have one.

[skinautiquefreak]

Well I picked up the boat today and took it to the lake for a spin. It didn't want to start and blew out a bunch of grey smoke. Go figure. It sputtered and stalled several times while trying to start. We eventually got it started and ran it in nuetral at a high rpm for about 5 minutes then it died again. It was running very rough and was idleing higher than normal. We tried to get it off the trailer and then it died again. Eventually we got it to run, although very rough. I ran it through its paces near the dock in case it died and it did run, but rough and it stalled once. Started it up again and took it out for a longer spin, probably 20-30 minutes. Still was running at a high idle in neutral. got back to the dock and when we shifted from forward to neutral the RPMs would spike 500-800 rpm. weird. The shop invoice for the repair said they replaced the MAP sensor and the idle air sensor. This must have something to do with the problem. Planning on taking the boat back to CC dealer for more fixing. I hope to get some money back on the friging bad deal! Called and talked to CC HQ and they refered me to PCM. Called PCM today and talked with Mark Schneider who said he is going to call The CC dealer we are using to see what they have done and what can be done. Help me summer is almost over and my boat is sitting in a shop!

[skinautiquefreak]

I forgot to add one thing. When the boat was first having problems starting today I checked the fuel rail and FCC shrader valves and both had plenty of fuel with what appeared to be good pressure. I also opened the drain nut on the bottom of the FCC and got a lot of fuel pouring out. I didn't actually measure it because I was at the lake thinking the boat was fixed and not going to have any problems. But none the less, the pumps seem to work and the engine appears to be getting fuel.