We recently bought a 2002 Sea Ray...
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08-29-2020 08:55 AM
We recently bought a 2002 Sea Ray 185 bowrider - boat was in great shape - 180 hours on it. When cold it starts great, smooth idle, and runs really well. Once out on the water or after an outing we will try to start it again and it turns over but the idle is rough and then it dies. No other indications of problems. We try and try to restart and generally after about a half hour we get lucky and it starts - and the idle is instantly smooth again. This is really sporadic. We have it into the shop now......and I'm sure it will start perfectly! Any ideas?
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08-29-2020 11:54 AM
It sounds like heat soak vapor lock on that 4.3 Mercruiser MPI engine.
"Easy" to verify by keeping the engine compartment open during the stop, permitting the heat to escape, to determine if it will restart normally after the stop.
There have been issue w/ early Cool Fuel modules, with internal delamination, obstructing normal flow. It has been reported that Mercruiser will perform goodwill repairs, with them paying for parts and the owner paying for labor.
It might be possible to attain acceptable operation by using the existing engine blowers, perhaps during operation, but especially during short stops. It is required that those draw from the bottom (gasoline vapors are heavier than air), but heat rises, so it would be better to draw from the top.
On my custom thermostatically controlled heat exhaust system, I have two high volume exhausts, sucking to the exterior from directly above the engines. This has been 100% effective at eliminating the heat soak vapor lock on my 2000 380DA.
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50234638307_9c39d57e9f_c.jpg
https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/50234601893_ca104dee1d_c.jpg
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08-30-2020 04:10 AM
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08-30-2020 04:33 AM
Here is a link that might not be correct for that engine.
https://www.mercruiserparts.com/bam/subassembly/31507/13808/60
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08-30-2020 04:43 AM
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08-30-2020 05:02 AM
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08-30-2020 05:14 AM
My guess is that your 2003 176 Bow Rider has the 3.0L w/ carburetor, not the 4.3L MPI fuel injected engine for the OP, w/o a carburetor.
lady Patricia, what engines are in the 2018 460 Sundancer? Aren't those Cummings diesel?
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08-30-2020 05:15 AM
I have Searay SD280 and my Port engine ran fine but would not hold a idle. Would stall out in idle position. The Mass Air Flo Sensor is a “Plug and Play” item. It sits on top of the engine near the Engine air intake. Not expensive to replace.
Good luck.
Capt Mike in NJ
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08-30-2020 05:49 AM
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08-30-2020 06:15 AM
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08-30-2020 10:14 AM
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08-30-2020 12:57 PM
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08-30-2020 01:45 PM
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08-30-2020 02:31 PM
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08-30-2020 02:51 PM
Everything I have seen about that Mercruiser kit shows it to be 100% effective.
There are two things I don't like about that solution. One is the cost. Each kit is pricey for the parts, ~$500 each engine. The other thing is that the engine compartment still gets hot as heck, especially after dropping the hook for a lunch break / swim.
My custom thermostatically controlled heat exhaust system doesn't have those two issues. The cost is reasonable and the engine compartment temperature is maintained within a 5°C range.
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08-30-2020 03:07 PM
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08-30-2020 03:29 PM
My custom thermostatically controlled heat exhaust is 100% compatible for a gasoline engine compartment.
The engine compartment has a 10K Ohm NTC thermistor and a pair of Shurflo Yellow-Tail blowers, both compatible for an ignition protected environment.
Yes, there is lots of thermal mass and lots of heat, but my system has zero issues maintaining the digitally selected controller setpoint temperature, cycling on and off automatically.
My solution has also been 100% effective.