290 sundancers 1994-midyear 97 "We need a thread"

I just put my boat in the water this past weekend and I had the exact same problem on a 95 twin. I am hoping it's not the shift cables going but that is what the sea trial was looking for. We were dung our acceptance sea trial and found that and a couple more times wrong. Since I am here I thought I should ask about the depth finder and the head key. The depth finder was very erratic but seemed to figure itself out after about a half hour. And the key to the head, what is its purpose just to tell you the level of the tank? The key we had diddnt work. Joyous fun....
 
My depth finder has some erractic moments mostly when I'm in shallow water. They are rare though. No idea about the head key. I bought my 94 last year and I'm still learning. This site has been a great help. Might want to try one of the maintenance forums. Lots more folks seem to visit those and offer help.
 
Sadler said:
You will love the boat Troy! Good luck. Keep up with the stern drive oil, engine oil, coolant, etc, and she'll be good to you.
Click to expand...

another new owner :)

my understanding (very limited) is the engine and generator are cooled by lake water. what other coolant is there to keep an eye on? pulling stuff apart to check the oil makes me wish i had learned judo haha. thanks in advance.
 
My generator is fresh water cooled so it has a reservoir for coolant. Yours may be raw water cooled. The reservoir is very easy to spot on the front of the generator. That's the only coolant on my boat. Yes, it's not like the newer boats where the engine room cover is hinged and opens electrically. But one good point is that you do get really great access once all the covers are off.
 
Well, my boat is going into the shop tomorrow. The stiff shifter cables and port engine stalling is sure killing my spring boating. Every time I try to dock it's a nightmare. Cancelled numerous outings because the fear of bringing it back. Also the Port engine grinds before it engages.
I am expecting to replace the lower shift cable and bellows...or maybe get lucky and only a cable or micro switch adjustment. Hopefully they don't find a ton more then what i'm anticipating. Being a new boater, no idea on the cost for those repairs. I'll post the findings when the inspection is completed.
 
(New to Forum, so please forgive me.)
Awesome to find this forum.

I have a 1996 290 with a single 454 that I need to replace. The shop suggests replacing it with a 383 small block with 350 HP so 20 more HP and lighter. Any thoughts? Is this something I should stay away from? They said they couldn't get the 454 carb any more.

Also has anyone installed an aftermarket extended swim platform on this model? What do you think? How is the boat with it and how much did it cost? Any suggestions on source?
Thanks a bunch. Charlie
 
Charlie--I don't know about the engine replacement. I did drive a 1996 twin engine 290 with an aftermarket extended swim platform and the platform dragged in the water and splashed water onto the back of the boat as the boat accelerated and came up on plane. It also seemed to slow planning somewhat. However, the twin engine 290 is heavier, so it's possible your single engine would not have the same problem. I know that members on here have put the extended platforms on without problems.
 
rhodenhome said:
I just put my boat in the water this past weekend and I had the exact same problem on a 95 twin. I am hoping it's not the shift cables going but that is what the sea trial was looking for. We were dung our acceptance sea trial and found that and a couple more times wrong. Since I am here I thought I should ask about the depth finder and the head key. The depth finder was very erratic but seemed to figure itself out after about a half hour. And the key to the head, what is its purpose just to tell you the level of the tank? The key we had diddnt work. Joyous fun....
Click to expand...

If you turn the key all the way to the right and hold it there it will activate the overboard discharge for the head This however should never be used
 
Sadler, Thank you on the quick response. That is what I was afraid of with the swim platform. The benefits are obvious but I know I would not like it if there was drag.
 
I have a little bit of a mystery I am hoping my fellow mid-90's 290 owners can help me with.I found the pieces shown in the picture below stored together in a compartment on board that I apparently had never looked in since taking possession of the boat.Anyone have any ideas what they are for?
 

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GrandMaster said:
I have a little bit of a mystery I am hoping my fellow mid-90's 290 owners can help me with.I found the pieces shown in the picture below stored together in a compartment on board that I apparently had never looked in since taking possession of the boat.Anyone have any ideas what they are for?
Click to expand...
The larger poles look they are support poles for mooring cover. Not sure about the others
 
the 2 poles with the pointed ends are definitely for the mooring cover. the pointed ends fit thru a grommett in the cover. No clue on the other two.
 
Thanks for the suggestions. Since the boat does not have a mooring cover, I guess its back in the compartment they go...:huh:
 
Hey folks - So I have a better use for the mirror box in the aft berth. Has anybody tried to get into this thing. I'd rather remove the mirror so it can be replaced later but I may go in with the sledge if I can't finesse it. C'mon Sadler or Quint - I know you guys know. Thanks - Bob.
 
OK Sadler, thanks for the response. I was hoping someone else had found that mirror box as useless as I do. I won't use a sledge but I'm pretty sure that mirror has to go. - Bob
 
The mirror box might serve a purpose, and I thought it might be for the companionway door, but I looked at my photos and its not that. One of those things that make you go "hmmmm".
 
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Happy to have found this specific thread!

Might as well pop a question about my strange behaving Kohler 4Kw genset.
It starts easily, runs smooth and perfect for about 15 seconds before suddenly shuts down.
Wont start up again unless about 20 minutes has passed, then the same thing all over again. did check the electric fuel shut off valve (ok), fuel hose (ok), fuel pump, (ok) and had the carburator taken off to clean it. Also checked the sea water filter and that water was coming out of the exhaust port in the stbd aft hull. It fired up easily again afterwards, but did however shut down again after another 15 seconds had passed.
The generator did not have any load, or fuses activated, but do behave like this all over again. Any ideas where to start looking for further reasons?
The genset has 450 hrs on it, and the boat has 600. Frustrating to not being able to use the stove, AC/Heat and Microwave because of this irritating problem.

Thanks.
//Mats
 
Mats Kinnby said:
Happy to have found this specific thread!

Might as well pop a question about my strange behaving Kohler 4Kw genset.
It starts easily, runs smooth and perfect for about 15 seconds before suddenly shuts down.
Wont start up again unless about 20 minutes has passed, then the same thing all over again. did check the electric fuel shut off valve (ok), fuel hose (ok), fuel pump, (ok) and had the carburator taken off to clean it. Also checked the sea water filter and that water was coming out of the exhaust port in the stbd aft hull. It fired up easily again afterwards, but did however shut down again after another 15 seconds had passed.
The generator did not have any load, or fuses activated, but do behave like this all over again. Any ideas where to start looking for further reasons?
The genset has 450 hrs on it, and the boat has 600. Frustrating to not being able to use the stove, AC/Heat and Microwave because of this irritating problem.

Thanks.
//Mats
Click to expand...
Have you replace the sparks plugs If not start there
 
StressAweigh said:
Have you replace the sparks plugs If not start there
Click to expand...

Since the generator starts and runs perfect for the short time it does run, I do not beleive the plugs will be the bad guy this time.

Did read the whole trouble shooting manual today, and it seems that three things will cause the generator to shut down (safety shut down). Its Low oil pressure, High water temperature and High exhaust temperature.
Since it only runs for 15 seconds at the time, I think my problem this time is the oil pressure.
Water temperature wont even begin to raise, and exhaust temperature should not be a problem since it pumps out a rich amount of water through the hull eaxhaust port.
Oil in the generator however was way over full level, and smell like gasoline. So it seems its way past oil change interval.
A change for new fresh a bit more thicker oil will get the pressure back to normal and the generator will run fine i guess.
Will do this the next few days and post an update here if its for anyones interest.

(Just bought the boat, so I am not familiar with past service intervals)
 
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