Glen S
Member
Ok, so this is what happened (trying to add all possible useful/ pertinent info)
Tuesday – picked up about 40 gal fuel and then back to our slip (1/2 tanks)
Saturday – 10 mile run down St Clair River to the town of St Clair
Sunday – picked up about 100 gal fuel (3/4 tanks)
Idled and maneuvered waiting for the bridge to open to get back onto the St Clair River.
On the river ran at about 2000 RPM near the shore for about 5 mins waiting for a freighter to clear. All gauges reading normal. Driving into a very strong winds and a very fast running current. Opened up to 3200 RPM.
A couple of mins later port engine drops to idle (throttles do nothing) and starboard engine drops to about 2700 RPM and does not seem to want to throttle up past this.
Turn around back to the harbor. Waiting for the bridge to open the port engine stalls.
Get to the fuel dock and shut down.
Check the ER – nothing unusual to see – all looks in order.
Start engines- both start and seem to idle fine although engine sync gauge is very slightly off. Both seem to rev freely (no load). Engines running smooth – no strange noises etc.
Move the boat to a transient slip – both engines running – port engine even seems to respond to throttle as we maneuver. Sync gauge reading normal again.
With the high winds and very strong current did not think it wise to try to limp home on one engine that seemed to be suspect and one not keen on running.
Boat is a 1997 400 DA
Engines are Merc 7.4 MPI’s = about 700 hrs.
Engines have run great all season. Have all new spin on fuel / water separator filters this spring. So, have called a local recommended marine mechanic – but being Sunday – hoping to hear from him tomorrow. Several boats from our home marina were at St Clair harbor – got a ride back to our marina.
Not great having my boat left in another country but………
So, my questions are:
Any thoughts on what would cause the engine running at 3200 RPM to drop to idle without touching the throttles and render the throttle useless? The only 2 possibilities that occur to me are electronics or fuel restriction?
Second – would dropping one engine rapidly to idle cause the other to loose RPM due to load? Several opinions on the dock thought so – consensus is that the starboard engine is fine. Hmmmm….
Thoughts? :huh:
Tuesday – picked up about 40 gal fuel and then back to our slip (1/2 tanks)
Saturday – 10 mile run down St Clair River to the town of St Clair
Sunday – picked up about 100 gal fuel (3/4 tanks)
Idled and maneuvered waiting for the bridge to open to get back onto the St Clair River.
On the river ran at about 2000 RPM near the shore for about 5 mins waiting for a freighter to clear. All gauges reading normal. Driving into a very strong winds and a very fast running current. Opened up to 3200 RPM.
A couple of mins later port engine drops to idle (throttles do nothing) and starboard engine drops to about 2700 RPM and does not seem to want to throttle up past this.
Turn around back to the harbor. Waiting for the bridge to open the port engine stalls.
Get to the fuel dock and shut down.
Check the ER – nothing unusual to see – all looks in order.
Start engines- both start and seem to idle fine although engine sync gauge is very slightly off. Both seem to rev freely (no load). Engines running smooth – no strange noises etc.
Move the boat to a transient slip – both engines running – port engine even seems to respond to throttle as we maneuver. Sync gauge reading normal again.
With the high winds and very strong current did not think it wise to try to limp home on one engine that seemed to be suspect and one not keen on running.
Boat is a 1997 400 DA
Engines are Merc 7.4 MPI’s = about 700 hrs.
Engines have run great all season. Have all new spin on fuel / water separator filters this spring. So, have called a local recommended marine mechanic – but being Sunday – hoping to hear from him tomorrow. Several boats from our home marina were at St Clair harbor – got a ride back to our marina.
Not great having my boat left in another country but………
So, my questions are:
Any thoughts on what would cause the engine running at 3200 RPM to drop to idle without touching the throttles and render the throttle useless? The only 2 possibilities that occur to me are electronics or fuel restriction?
Second – would dropping one engine rapidly to idle cause the other to loose RPM due to load? Several opinions on the dock thought so – consensus is that the starboard engine is fine. Hmmmm….
Thoughts? :huh: