Boat stopped running !!

[jorddarb]

I have a 07 Tahoe with the 4.3L mercruiser I/O. I had it on the lake this weekend and it ran fine until the last day. I had it out towing the kids on the tube and kneeboard with no issues. We had just returned to the dock with after a 20-30 min run at RPm ranging from 3000 to WOT. (5000) As I was idling waiting for the boat trailer to be backed down the ramp the motor simply stopped. No strange noises it simply quit. I tried to re start the motor, it turned over and woul occasionaly fire then immeaditly quit agian. I have very limited knowledge on how to diagnose issues, but I think it is a fuel supply issue. Any help you can provide will be welcomed.

[sa meredith]

Originally Posted by jorddarb

I have a 07 Tahoe with the 4.3L I/O. I had it on the lake this weekend and it ran fine until the last day. I had it out towing the kids on the tube and kneeboard with no issues. We had just returned to the dock with after a 20-30 min run at RPm ranging from 3000 to WOT. (5000) As I was idling waiting for the boat trailer to be backed down the ramp the motor simply stopped. No strange noises it simply quit. I tried to re start the motor, it turned over and woul occasionaly fire then immeaditly quit agian. I have very limited knowledge on how to diagnose issues, but I think it is a fuel supply issue. Any help you can provide will be welcomed.

If it is an 07, shouldn't you just return it to the dealer for warranty work?
I would think it would be a covered repair.

[jorddarb]

Bought it in 06 warranty expired April this year!!!

[ishoot308]

First thing I would check for is water in the fuel. Ethanol has been raising hell in boats on the lake and with the recent amount of rainfall and high humidity, this can only worsen an already lousy situation. Do you know if your boat has a water seperating filter in the fuel line between the fuel tank and engine?? If not dafinitely have your fuel checked.

Good Luck;

Dan

[This'nThat]

Did you check the kill switch? Maybe you accidently hit it?

[robmac]

I would first check your lanyard to make sure the safety is activated,next would be spark and fuel. Because you were fine all day it seems to be a safety(lanyard fault)

[jorddarb]

I will check the kill switch and if it is that simple I will feel stupid, but it stopped as I was idling at the dock and I do not believe I hit the switch or lanyard.

It has a canister type filter element between the tank and the fuel pump and carb.

[Irrigation Guy]

Originally Posted by jorddarb

It has a canister type filter element between the tank and the fuel pump and carb.

I'd replace it and empty the old one into a glass jar to check for water. The new one I would fill with fuel prior to installing(may not need to be done this way but seems to make sense to me)

[Lakegeezer]

I had a similar problem and putting 29.2 gallons in a 30 gallon tank cured it. Apparently my gas gauge is calibrated to show 1/4 tank when its really empty. Worth a shot.

[jorddarb]

I will replace the filter this weekend. It has plenty of gas in the tank, we just filled it up and ran maybe 1/4 tank through it before it stopped.

[SAMIAM]

My mercruiser started coughing and spitting last year.....first thing I did was empty the filter (bowl type) into a glass so mI could see the ratio of water to fuel and sure enough,it was 90% water.Put it back in and drove away.

[bigdog]

I agree with those who responded whothought this was a gas issue. I had same symptoms at the end of last season. Engine was coughing and stalled during operation. Winterized the gas with Stabil additive for the winter and put to bed for the cold months.

This Spring, I drained 30+ gallons of gas from the tank, added fresh 89 Octane at the advice of a Forum member, and then added a can of Seafoam (purchased at WalMart $8). Also changed my fuel-water separating filter
The boat started right up, and I've run it several times already without the same issues returning, knock on wood ! Going to add Seafoam every-other full tank of gas from now on.

Have to chalk this issue up to either water in gas or Ethanol separation. Before this I was scratching my head thinking of every possible problem: Plugs, Coil, Fuel Pump, etc. I broke my own Cardinal rule/slogan 'KISS" ! Think simple causes first, riule out, then work up from there.

BTW, I have same 4.3L Mercruiser you have, but 1995 vintage, but basically the same Chevy block.

Good luck !

[jorddarb]

I would understand it if it produced some sort of symptom like coughing or sputering before stopping, but it simply shut off. It was idling fine...then it shut off. No warning, and it will not restart. It seems to fire briefly every once in a while while turning over, but then nothing.

[trfour]

Originally Posted by jorddarb

I would understand it if it produced some sort of symptom like coughing or sputering before stopping, but it simply shut off. It was idling fine...then it shut off. No warning, and it will not restart. It seems to fire briefly every once in a while while turning over, but then nothing.

Don't pannic, if you're getting plenty of spark at the spark plugs, then I would go after the fuel system. With your boat being fairly new, the culprit
useually turns out to be smethink simple.
Keep you're chin up, we are here to help you!
Good luck.

[Winnipesaukee]

Check the float on the carb (if it has a carb. I think Merc also makes a 4.3 FI engine). It tends to stick closed. Try giving the top of the carb a good smack.

Also check the obvious stuff: fuel filter, spark plugs for fouling, fuel tank, fuel pump (turn the key, is there a kind of whirring sound that comes from aft?).

Spray some starter fluid in the air filter and try starting. Any difference? If not, it's an ignition issue.

I'll put my money on the float. Let us know how it turns out. Oh yeah, don't try cranking for more than 20 seconds or so, and give the starter a minute to cool down each try. Best of luck.

[bigdog]

Good call 'Winnipesaukee'... very well could be the Carb 'float'. If the Carb float has a tiny pin hoile in it, it will fill with gas and sink, causing the engine to stop, or never start from begining. Floats can be made of metal or plastic, not sure what material yours is made of ?

Float also could just be sticking, possibly casued by Ethanol crap ! A can of Carb cleaner to gas wouldn't hurt, and it's a quick fix.

Good luck !

[cowisl]

Call Dave Rossetti. 603 393 5658 he will get it running in nothing flat

[jst_4_kiks]

dave can be very busy sometimes. try some home repairs before taking it somewhere. only if you feel comfortable doing so

check fuel system. fuel filters. fuel quality (not old). water (most probable).

if it "spits" Fires. then its trying to start so its getting spark.

my guess is on fuel.

good luck. Kyle

[Airwaves]

jorddarb
I had a similar problem to the one you describe and it turned out to be a stuck float in the carb. A quick tap or two should free up the float and you should be able to fire it up.

Changing the water seperator filter, fuel filter etc is also a very good idea no matter what.

Good luck

[This'nThat]

Well, did anything work? Did you solve the problem?