Last month I bought my first boat, a 1989 Sea Ray 200 CC in seemingly great condition. It has been out on the water most days and was giving the family lots of joy until 3 days ago. I know nothing about engines and don't really know anybody who does. So any help I can get to fix the problem would be greatly appreciated. The boat started stalling after a few hours on the water, slowly the stalling got worse and now it doesn't want to start at all.
First time boat owner with no sense of engines, now in trouble. Please help.
- Thread starter verbeeka
- Start date
northern
Well-Known Member
- Jan 17, 2007
- 3,526
- Boat Info
- 380 Aft Cabin 1989 Charts Timezero radar Furuno
- Engines
- Twin 454 strait shaft
Water in the gas? Bad coil? Old ignition wires?
If you know nothing best to get a nechanic and watch a learn.
If you know nothing best to get a nechanic and watch a learn.
SevenTeas
New Member
If it doesnt have new ethanol rated fuel lines and you are trailering it and filling up at a gas station your fuel lines may be disolving and getting rubber into the fuel filter clogging it up.
I would start by replacing the fuel lines and fuel filter. This sounds more like a fule supply issue than an electrical issue to me. But other wiser contributors may contradict.
I would start by replacing the fuel lines and fuel filter. This sounds more like a fule supply issue than an electrical issue to me. But other wiser contributors may contradict.
- Feb 14, 2009
- 1,361
- Boat Info
- '07 42SS Carver, full electronics array
'03 380DA, RL80C+, ST7001, Kohl 7.3,4kw o/array sold
- Engines
- 8.1S Crusader express drives
Welcome aboard! Verbeeka, you probably want to make it a priority to begin to learn a little about your boat. In an emergency, the more you know, the better your chances of making correct decisions. Engines ARE complicated, and can seem daunting, but they ultimately break down into an old adage "fuel, fire and air". This means that if a gas engine is getting fuel, and the spark plugs are lighting properly, and enough air is getting compressed to provide an explosive mixture...the darn thing will run. Be sure to check the oil...partially to be sure there is sufficient oil, but more importantly to see that it is clean (good) and not milky, chocolately (very bad).
Troubleshooting involves checking those basics...are you getting fuel (tanks empty? filters clogged?), are the spark plugs sparking (have you pulled one to see what shape they are in?), is anything blocking air intake (we won't get into compression checks in the first lesson). It can obviously get much more detailed, but those are some basic checks. The gauges tell you a lot as well...does your alternator gauge read about 13 volts? Temperature gauge reading around 160-170?
As you get through some of this, you will acquire a little more confidence but give yourself a break, it is not necessarily intuitive. Everybody has to start somewhere.
Troubleshooting involves checking those basics...are you getting fuel (tanks empty? filters clogged?), are the spark plugs sparking (have you pulled one to see what shape they are in?), is anything blocking air intake (we won't get into compression checks in the first lesson). It can obviously get much more detailed, but those are some basic checks. The gauges tell you a lot as well...does your alternator gauge read about 13 volts? Temperature gauge reading around 160-170?
As you get through some of this, you will acquire a little more confidence but give yourself a break, it is not necessarily intuitive. Everybody has to start somewhere.
There are a few tools that make it easy to check the engine. First, Does the motor spin over when trying to start? Have you tried using starting fluid to see if the engine will start? If it starts, or tries to start on the fluid then concentrate on the fuel system. If it will not try to start then look at spark. The best way to do this as a newby is go to a local harbor freight and buy a spark tester. Around $5, you plug one end onto the spark plug while its still in the motor and the other end plugs onto the ignition cable. If you have spark and it still will not start then it is time to get a mechanic to check the rest. It could be out of time, broken timing chain, or valve train failure. Start with the simple things first. If it does not have spark then look at replacing the cap, rotor, and module. Also look at the spark plug to see if it looks oily, or powdery white. Also check the ignition cables for cracks and burned spots. If they are cracked with age get a new set.
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OldSkool
Active Member
- May 8, 2010
- 4,360
- Boat Info
- restored 1976 SRV200
- Engines
- 188 Mercruiser I/O
Really sounds like a fuel problem as it got gradually worse. We all know how the new fuel is killing the older boats fuel systems. And we all know about water in the tank if it has been sitting around awhile.
You can try to start the engine with a whiff of starting fluid. I am not a proponent of the stuff because it can be over used and kill the rings and piston. If you give it a whiff and it either hits or starts then you have a fuel issue. If not, then spark may be your issue.
As stated before, A general knowledge of your boat is required to be out there safely. Many of us carry spare parts that we know may give a problem and tools that we need to change them. Fuel filters are at the top of the list.
Get the thing fixed and have fun mate.
You can try to start the engine with a whiff of starting fluid. I am not a proponent of the stuff because it can be over used and kill the rings and piston. If you give it a whiff and it either hits or starts then you have a fuel issue. If not, then spark may be your issue.
As stated before, A general knowledge of your boat is required to be out there safely. Many of us carry spare parts that we know may give a problem and tools that we need to change them. Fuel filters are at the top of the list.
Get the thing fixed and have fun mate.
legaleaglelx
New Member
Best advice when you got too many problems to fix.
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OldSkool
Active Member
- May 8, 2010
- 4,360
- Boat Info
- restored 1976 SRV200
- Engines
- 188 Mercruiser I/O
If you have the tools, take your fuel filter off and dump it into a pan. If it's full of gunk then you may have a fuel line or fuel tank issue as others have said.
Since you do not know much about motors and such, you must have a favorite auto shop to work on car. Now you will need a favorite boat repair shop. Expect to use them and get to know them early on with the little things. Then when the big things happen you can be confident in the repair shop.
It's just part of boating.:smt001
Since you do not know much about motors and such, you must have a favorite auto shop to work on car. Now you will need a favorite boat repair shop. Expect to use them and get to know them early on with the little things. Then when the big things happen you can be confident in the repair shop.
It's just part of boating.:smt001
