Dead in the water!

The old axiom is "If it acts like ignition, it's probably fuel related. If it acts like fuel, it's probably ignition related".
 
@Pirate Lady multiple people have suggested the ignition module is more faulty than the coil.

After today’s run, I agree @scoflaw that it is most likely vapor lock.
Started at the launch ramp first try. Ran over to our beach that we’re staying at maybe a 30 min run with River time. Anchored for 15 mins. Would not start. Anchored for 15 more mins. Opened sun pads, ran blower for a couple mins and it fired up second try. Ran up and down the shoreline for almost 2 hrs with two of my boys and only thing I noticed was that sometimes while running at about 27 it would drop down to almost 20 like it was hesitating and then it would climb back up. All within 15-20 seconds.

We were cruising into a light chop maybe 1-2 footers going 25 mph at 2100 RPM. Leaves me to believe once trim lines are replaced and the banged up prop is swapped for a proper one that there should be plenty of room left to ru. Maybe upper 40’s….

39C6F7A9-AD01-4785-A30F-365AEC5520D8.jpeg A339D1F7-0C96-498A-BA0A-E32429141D13.jpeg 5E707078-3582-43F3-9F46-2D8297FF6329.jpeg 3326D834-CFA8-4C2F-A0A8-9A3CE92047BE.jpeg 7B604A06-07D7-4E19-B652-EB74D1FE7012.jpeg 45560AE8-23F5-42F1-861B-5E10513A95E3.jpeg
 
sounds like vapor lock, they make thermal sleeving for the metal gas lines or maybe it's running hotter than it should be. Sounds heat related to me
Thermostat gauge assuming it’s accurate has been running at 170 everytime we’ve been out.
 
After getting back to the ramp yesterday, noticed trail of water after pulling boat out. Went to secure tie downs and noticed water running out of the outdrive where the two halves sandwich together. 75492B4F-19AF-41EC-8AD5-4B47F31523BC.jpeg


Pulled the plug out and had water pouring out for maybe 3 mins or so. Seems like a lot of water for a 2-3 hr lake run.

If water is coming out of the outdrive there, assuming it can also go in the outdrive as well. Is this normal with an Alpha?
 
'Sorry for the late reply: No, it's not normal! If I read that picture correctly, that's the joint where the outdrive bolts to the gimbal housing. It also appears that your gasket is extruding out of the gap, judging by the red sealant bead. Have you personally witnessed the outdrive off at that point? I'd be curious to see what the gasket looks like. If you're getting water running out there, a leaking gasket could possibly be allowing your gimbal bearing housing to be filling with water. Bad!
 
Last edited:
Yes the drive to bell housing. The gasket sticking out a little might be ok depending on if it's a mercruiser or a sierra gasket. The mercrusier ones are visible but not by much. Every sierra one stuck out by a mm or two. As for the red sealant, it could be form a gasket or it could be the sealant line on the gasket.

Easy enough to go get a new gasket. Put the drive in forward gear. And remove the drive to check everything out. Doesn't take long to check and see. If it's puking water from that joint, you probably lost the water inlet O ring. There will be a new one with the gasket set.

This will let you look into the gimbal bearing and see if it's been wet. If it has, plan on a replacement soon. Might as well do all the bellows too if they have been a while.

Going back and looking at the photo again, that is where the shift block is. And that is the sealant on the gasket. Get the drive off and check it. I would bet your drive isn't torqued to spec.
 
Yes the drive to bell housing. The gasket sticking out a little might be ok depending on if it's a mercruiser or a sierra gasket. The mercrusier ones are visible but not by much. Every sierra one stuck out by a mm or two. As for the red sealant, it could be form a gasket or it could be the sealant line on the gasket.

Easy enough to go get a new gasket. Put the drive in forward gear. And remove the drive to check everything out. Doesn't take long to check and see. If it's puking water from that joint, you probably lost the water inlet O ring. There will be a new one with the gasket set.

This will let you look into the gimbal bearing and see if it's been wet. If it has, plan on a replacement soon. Might as well do all the bellows too if they have been a while.

Going back and looking at the photo again, that is where the shift block is. And that is the sealant on the gasket. Get the drive off and check it. I would bet your drive isn't torqued to spec.
Bellows were all replaced along with impeller. Would this area have been messed with during impeller replacement?
 
I always remove the complete drive to do the impeller or anything else. It's just easier to handle. If you had the bellows replaced then your drive wasn't torqued to spec allowing that gasket to slip out. If a shop did the work, I would be taking it back right away. And the bearing can be replaced without removing the bell housing. It's easier to remove with it on.

I want to say the drive to bell housing torque should be 55 foot pounds. But as my wife is always telling me, I can be wrong.
 

Forum statistics

Threads
112,950
Messages
1,422,865
Members
60,932
Latest member
juliediane
Back
Top