Official 280 Sundancer Thread

Hey all. Looking for advice on a mechanical issue on my 2005 280 Sundancer (single 496, bravo III, duo prop). I was cruising at maybe 22 knots @ 3500rpm when very suddenly rpms dropped to about 1800.

Engine starts and idles normally, and in neutral it powers up to the 'overspeed' alarm (seems healthy in neutral). But we can't get above 12 knots even at full throttle, and RPMs won't go much above 2000). I trimmed the drive up and tried to visually inspect the props from the swim platform (didn't dive in) and I don't see any problem.

My best guess is we got some fishing line tangled up and it's down in the hub between the props and the outdrive, and that I'll need to haul the boat out, remove the props and inspect for damage. My dad suggests I try replacing the fuel filter first (since that's cheap, might need to be done anyway).

Any advice before I haul it out?

Any advice?
 
Hey all. Looking for advice on a mechanical issue on my 2005 280 Sundancer (single 496, bravo III, duo prop). I was cruising at maybe 22 knots @ 3500rpm when very suddenly rpms dropped to about 1800.

Engine starts and idles normally, and in neutral it powers up to the 'overspeed' alarm (seems healthy in neutral). But we can't get above 12 knots even at full throttle, and RPMs won't go much above 2000). I trimmed the drive up and tried to visually inspect the props from the swim platform (didn't dive in) and I don't see any problem.

My best guess is we got some fishing line tangled up and it's down in the hub between the props and the outdrive, and that I'll need to haul the boat out, remove the props and inspect for damage. My dad suggests I try replacing the fuel filter first (since that's cheap, might need to be done anyway).

Any advice before I haul it out?

Any advice?

Do you know if the alarm is in fact working under the dash? If you are not sure, you could try emptying the drive lube into a container. The alarm code should start beeping I think every 2 mins on that issue. If you do not get an alarm ( beep ) that the first problem to fix!
That said, there are many sensor on that boat that could keep you engines from going full throttle. Please check out these 2 links as they have all the failures, power loss, etc..
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/46auto/MercCodes1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/46auto/MercCodes2.jpg

Hope that helps,
T

 
How hard is it to change the plugs on the 4.3 V6 motors?

It's very easy. They just spin right out. Oh, wait, you're probably more interested in how easy/hard it is to GET to them! ;)

Like Paul said, it's mostly by feel. Here's a few tips...

-- Sometimes there is a very tight tolerance between the underside of the manifold and your socket. I have a socket that I ground down to be thinner than a "thin wall" socket and that has come in handy.

-- Be sure to check the gap.

-- To reinstall, get a short length (8"-ish) of rubber hose that fits just snug (not tight) over the insulator. Use this to reinsert/screw in the plug. If you happen to start out cross-threaded, the hose will just spin around the insulator and you won't damage any threads. Besides, it's just easier to start them that way.
 
Hey all. Looking for advice on a mechanical issue on my 2005 280 Sundancer (single 496, bravo III, duo prop). I was cruising at maybe 22 knots @ 3500rpm when very suddenly rpms dropped to about 1800.

Engine starts and idles normally, and in neutral it powers up to the 'overspeed' alarm (seems healthy in neutral). But we can't get above 12 knots even at full throttle, and RPMs won't go much above 2000). I trimmed the drive up and tried to visually inspect the props from the swim platform (didn't dive in) and I don't see any problem.

My best guess is we got some fishing line tangled up and it's down in the hub between the props and the outdrive, and that I'll need to haul the boat out, remove the props and inspect for damage. My dad suggests I try replacing the fuel filter first (since that's cheap, might need to be done anyway).

Any advice before I haul it out?

Any advice?

I had a similar situation. Turned out to be a partially closed seacock. I have thru-hull cooling, and I inadvertently sat on the seacock handle while doing some other work in the engine compartment. I believe the water pump has a flow sensor and it knocks down the RPMs dramatically, so you can limp back to port. Once I opened the seacock fully all was well. I didn't know if I overheated the impeller, and changed it a short time later (a real fun job!!!!)
 
Has anyone ever had a water pressure sensor fault (2 beeps per minute)? Had my 02 5.0 mpi b3 scanned and had a sea water ckt hi fault. Swapped wps from the other motor and its still beeping. Now I'm thinking i need to get the mechanic to come back and clear it?
 
Has anyone ever had a water pressure sensor fault (2 beeps per minute)? Had my 02 5.0 mpi b3 scanned and had a sea water ckt hi fault. Swapped wps from the other motor and its still beeping. Now I'm thinking i need to get the mechanic to come back and clear it?

There is info out there that the wps had an insufficient ground in some cases and people were running a dedicated ground wire to it. Something to think about, not saying it's your issue.
 
Very interesting. Will check the ground. Still not sure though if its fixed by swapping the other wps over and maybe its just a stored fault. Will try disconnecting batteries for awhile also. Thanks.
 
I had a similar situation. Turned out to be a partially closed seacock. I have thru-hull cooling, and I inadvertently sat on the seacock handle while doing some other work in the engine compartment. I believe the water pump has a flow sensor and it knocks down the RPMs dramatically, so you can limp back to port. Once I opened the seacock fully all was well. I didn't know if I overheated the impeller, and changed it a short time later (a real fun job!!!!)

Thank you. I'll confirm seacocks are fully opened before doing anything else!
 
I currently have a 2006 240 Sundancer and would like to spend more time on it but sleeping is literally a pain as the v-berth is not quite long enough for my average-sized 5' 10" frame.

I am thinking of upgrading to a 280 and was wondering if anyone can tell me how much longer (if any) the 280 v-berth is versus the 240 v-berth?

Seems the older models had a dinette on port side and newer models don't. How does that impact the v-berth size (length)?

Appreciate any other insight into the sleeping accommodations between the 240 and the 280. Thanks
 
Is the round red top RULE 1100 bilge pump the non-automatic type that has to have a float switch or is it a automatic that comes on every 2 1/2 minutes and takes 1 second to check for water. I need to replace mine and am not at the boat to see what kind it came with.
 
I have a 2003 with the 4.3 engines. I was just coming on here to ask the exact same question. After 20 minutes of the boat running I get the 2 beeps/min alarm. Nothing shows on the mechanics computer. He thought it might be the block pressure sensor and it was not. I can not figure this one out. Gauges reading perfect, gear oil is good.
 
I have a 2003 with the 4.3 engines. I was just coming on here to ask the exact same question. After 20 minutes of the boat running I get the 2 beeps/min alarm. Nothing shows on the mechanics computer. He thought it might be the block pressure sensor and it was not. I can not figure this one out. Gauges reading perfect, gear oil is good.

Impellers causing an actual low water pressure maybe?
 
Hi everyone! If survey checks out, next week I should be a 2006 280DA owner. Extremely excited. Marina is already picked out, Full JL sound system has been shipped.

One thing I know the girlfriend will be complaining about is the lack of a bow sunpad. I have tried to do some searching around but coming up lacking. Anyone have some pictures or suggestions as to how I can buy/make one.

Thanks!
 
Hi everyone! If survey checks out, next week I should be a 2006 280DA owner. Extremely excited. Marina is already picked out, Full JL sound system has been shipped.

One thing I know the girlfriend will be complaining about is the lack of a bow sunpad. I have tried to do some searching around but coming up lacking. Anyone have some pictures or suggestions as to how I can buy/make one.

Thanks!

I'm getting one of these for the wife. Look at this on eBay http://www.ebay.com/itm/251984595322
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,861
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top