Thread disappeared, Wayne any good news?

Wayne,

Not sure where you can get a carb locally, but I'd check with BoatFix, their delivery times are incredible and don't be shy about waving some of that green around in front of Diablo. Schedules can and do shift for the proper incentive.
 
Wow, I get busy and quit hanging around for a while, and I miss all the fun...

But heck with all of this broken engine talk, I am more interested in what happened to the inverter install. Did you get that squared away?
 
No. The inverter has not been installed yet. I had a new guy look at it and he said wiring it into the ac panel was above his pay grade. You see the plan was to get the engines squared away first and upgrades like an inverter 2nd. While trying to get the inverter installed I started experiencing engine problems so the inverter goes on the back burner until engines are running smoothly.

So far boating hasn't been relaxing but better days are coming I'm sure.

quote:
Originally posted by FindMe

Wow, I get busy and quit hanging around for a while, and I miss all the fun...

But heck with all of this broken engine talk, I am more interested in what happened to the inverter install. Did you get that squared away?

Click to expand...
 
I think Napa Parts Stores carry marine carbs. Give a store near you a call to confirm. However, make sure it is a marine carb before you run over there to pick one up!
 
Wayne are you getting lazy on us? We expect daily updates until this problem is corrected ..... does Diabl0 think they can get you done in time for your cruise upriver?
 
LOl. Sorry about that. I've been busy both at work, home and solving my boating snafu.

There is good news. Diablo diagnosed the problem. Today, just to be sure I am having an expert remove the hydrated ethanol from my fuel take (getting the water out of the fuel or at least ensure that there isnt any in there).

On Friday Im scheduled to have the port carb rebuilt. There is more work to be done on my boat but these two things should get me running so I can test run the boat this weekend. If there are residual problems I can get those addressed hopefully on Monday and Tuesday and have the boat ready for the Memorial day cruise!!

I dont count my chickens before they're hatched but Im hopeful. Earlier in the week it felt like all was lost. Now I'm seeing a glimmer of daylight. Memorial day cruise is important. This is my first cruise on my own boat with a boat club. My parents are taking there boat up as well..we seldom get together on the boat so this is a good opportunity to hang out with the folks.
quote:
Originally posted by AbsoLoot

Wayne are you getting lazy on us? We expect daily updates until this problem is corrected ..... does Diabl0 think they can get you done in time for your cruise upriver?

Click to expand...
 
Its been a stressful couple of weeks but I'll just keep doing the things I need to do to get the boat up and running.

Moving forward, I would like to get Racor spin on fuel filters. I just need to call Racor company to get the part number for the racor filter that will fit a 5.7L Merc.
quote:
Originally posted by Waynepj4

LOl. Sorry about that. I've been busy both at work, home and solving my boating snafu.

There is good news. Diablo diagnosed the problem. Today, just to be sure I am having an expert remove the hydrated ethanol from my fuel take (getting the water out of the fuel or at least ensure that there isnt any in there).

On Friday Im scheduled to have the port carb rebuilt. There is more work to be done on my boat but these two things should get me running so I can test run the boat this weekend. If there are residual problems I can get those addressed hopefully on Monday and Tuesday and have the boat ready for the Memorial day cruise!!

I dont count my chickens before they're hatched but Im hopeful. Earlier in the week it felt like all was lost. Now I'm seeing a glimmer of daylight. Memorial day cruise is important. This is my first cruise on my own boat with a boat club. My parents are taking there boat up as well..we seldom get together on the boat so this is a good opportunity to hang out with the folks.
quote:
Originally posted by AbsoLoot

Wayne are you getting lazy on us? We expect daily updates until this problem is corrected ..... does Diabl0 think they can get you done in time for your cruise upriver?

Click to expand...


Click to expand...
 
Wayne, I suggested in December if you have carbs they are easy to remove and have rebuilt. It is much better to get this stuff done during winter months when most folks don't enjoy the cold or boating weather.

I hope your adventures in boating get better soon as this has been like a slow motion train wreck! I would bet many of us didn't have a good feeling on how these outcomes may turn out.

I know you aren't a mechanic but in a few years you will have learned a lot towards being self sufficient!

I bet just about everyone on this forum can and does perform some sort of maintenance on their own vessel.

Perhaps we can get a poll and address the questions?

Do you perform any maintenance tasks or do you send them to a mechanic?

How many people perform some basic maintenance tasks?

How many people perform some mechanical or electrical tasks?

Posted - Dec 29 2009 : 00:21:43
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quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Waynepj4

Ive learned from experience that more expensive service does not equal better quality. I paid a boat load (pardon the pun) to Eagle Marine on my old boat to diagnose the problem with the boat and generate a quote that included total cost and time frame to repair.

They did not come anywhere near their time frame to repair and when they considered the job done and returned the boat back to me I took it out and the boat still had problems. So I paid them $4,000+ to still have a boat that was not running properly. It would have been worth it had they actually fixed the boat.

Now I avoid Eagle Marine as much as possible. Moreover, I have a full time job, commute, wife and a 2 year old. Plus I'm not a mechanic so I don't do the work myself. The goal is to find reasonable and reliable mechanic for repairs and preventative maintenance. I can only do what I can afford.

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Wayne, I understand being married, having a kid and working to pay for everything, really I do. I have also found that it is near impossible to get better service than I can provide myself. When doing small jobs I'd rather do them myself right and save time and money with proper planning and preparation. Your time is worth a lot and having to go back and forth to deal with yet another failed repair is costing way more than you think.

Fuel systems, especially gas are not hard to work on. With basic skills and tools you should be able to diagnose the problem and at least know if the fuel pump really was the problem through process of elimination. If you then determined that the carb had a stuck float, if you have carbs they are easy to remove and have rebuilt, sometimes a stuck float could cause the problem you are having and could be unstuck by using a small hammer to tap on the carb to free it up. If you need to learn pick up a book and read.

Having some basic skills and understanding may help you decide if you are getting ripped off, they could also save the day if you had a mechanical issue while under way. Being the skipper is a major responsibility while ensuring the safety of your passengers. AS Skipper you need to be sure that each time you depart that all your systems are functional and reliable. I do a visual on my engine and systems below deck just about every time I take my boats out for the weekend. I couldn't imagine paying someone to verify my systems each time I planned to go out. Having knowledge about how things work empowers you and allows for some self sufficiency and the satisfaction of doing right yourself! When you have the knowledge you know when to cut your losses and let a shop do the work.

If you have questions let me know and I'll get in touch with you. I have a vast mechanical background with experience in racing and restorations and high end vehicles and willing to help out another boater. I do not work on anyone's boat right now however.
 
Gnarley, you can post a poll----anyone on this forum can. Right next to "New Topic" is "New Poll". BTW, my Mommy taught me it's not nice to say "I told you so". I'm sure lessons are learned without negative comments.......
 
quote:
Originally posted by Flutterby

I'm sure lessons are learned without negative comments.......

Click to expand...


Sometimes they are and sometimes they aren't.

Anyone that has kids knows that all too well.

The truth can hurt, but hopefully a lesson can be learned from it...

I hope the OP has his boat ready for the holiday w/e. Rain or shine.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Flutterby

it's not nice to say "I told you so". I'm sure lessons are learned without negative comments.......

Click to expand...


Flutter, I don't believe anything negative was intended. Most of us have had experiences learned the hard way that are worth sharing with others so they aren't repeated. We give our lessons learned so that others can forgo those problems and hopefully if they are paying attention do it once and do it right the first time. There is a tremendous amount of wisdom here for newbie’s and the seasoned boater to pay attention to.

I don’t wish to see anyone having the problems that Wayne has developed. That being said if anyone pays close attention to what is said in these forums they should be spared of some grief and learn from those that have already been there and done that. I believe Wayne really wants to enjoy boating and the lifestyle if presents for he and his family. As skipper there are many choices to be made in which knowledge of some basics are fundamentally required for safety.

Just wanting to have a boat and the money to do so doesn’t mean you should, it may put your life or those that trust you in jeopardy. I believe that without some fundamental knowledge of basic mechanical and electrical skills and relying solely on towboat US or another on the water towing service is risky behavior. Those basic mechanical and electrical skills may save your skin and those with you if you ever end up with a problem and no one can get to you quickly enough. I believe I can say this as I know firsthand of someone that wanted a boat, bought it, knew very little of mechanical and electrical systems, didn’t take any boating courses or training and when he struck a submerged object sunk his boat and almost drowned. When I heard the story I shook my head knowing who it was.

Wayne, I hope you find a mentor so you learn from a trusted well seasoned resource and listen to them.

Happy boating
 
Even I can barely resist the urge to say I told you so when the opportunity presents itself, even if I was only partially right. As I examine my actions over the past few months there are a few things I do and do not regret. I regret not switching mechanics when I saw recurring problems. No need for blind loyalty if the objective is to get the boat running. I don't regret not being my own mechanic. I can adjust idle and change fuel filters but I would prefer to have a pro work on my boat and even have my boat professionally cleaned. I would rather use my boT exploring the bay and delta.. Not working on it. I have a profession and so do the mechanics. I could no better do their job than they could mine.

Moral of the story: don't ignore red flags. Avoid craigslist mechanics if possible.

quote:
Originally posted by BayAreaBoater

quote:
Originally posted by Flutterby

I'm sure lessons are learned without negative comments.......

Click to expand...


Sometimes they are and sometimes they aren't.

Anyone that has kids knows that all too well.

The truth can hurt, but hopefully a lesson can be learned from it...

I hope the OP has his boat ready for the holiday w/e. Rain or shine.

Click to expand...
 
Oh and loot. Diablo made it to my boat and reported that carb was rebuilt and engines running. Gong to test run tomorrow.

quote:
Originally posted by Waynepj4

Even I can barely resist the urge to say I told you so when the opportunity presents itself, even if I was only partially right. As I examine my actions over the past few months there are a few things I do and do not regret. I regret not switching mechanics when I saw recurring problems. No need for blind loyalty if the objective is to get the boat running. I don't regret not being my own mechanic. I can adjust idle and change fuel filters but I would prefer to have a pro work on my boat and even have my boat professionally cleaned. I would rather use my boT exploring the bay and delta.. Not working on it. I have a profession and so do the mechanics. I could no better do their job than they could mine.

Moral of the story: don't ignore red flags. Avoid craigslist mechanics if possible.

quote:
Originally posted by BayAreaBoater

quote:
Originally posted by Flutterby

I'm sure lessons are learned without negative comments.......

Click to expand...


Sometimes they are and sometimes they aren't.

Anyone that has kids knows that all too well.

The truth can hurt, but hopefully a lesson can be learned from it...

I hope the OP has his boat ready for the holiday w/e. Rain or shine.

Click to expand...


Click to expand...
 
I, too, do not work on my boat except for a few very basic things such as changing a prop or fixing an electrical connection. BUT, I think a lot of you on this board will agree that I know something about all the systems on my boat. And when I don't know, I check with you great folks first. I do this out of self defense because many out there want to take advantage of me, assuming that I have very limited knowledge and will accept anything they tell me as gospel. "Buyer beware" is my mantra!

So I take the time to educate myself and I get opinions of knowledgeable people I trust before I hire anyone. And if I find they have been less then honest......I'm outta there as fast as possible! This has worked for me for over 20 yrs of boater ownership.

Wayne, best to you, your boat and the planned trip next weekend! I'm anxious to hear all about it.
 
quote:
Originally posted by Waynepj4

Oh and loot. Diablo made it to my boat and reported that carb was rebuilt and engines running. Gong to test run tomorrow.

Click to expand...


Glad to hear it Wayne, hope everything goes well and that you have a fantastic holiday weekend!
 
2 years ago when I was having fuel and carborator problems in my 4 stroke I read up a lot and it seems like a no brainer but when the carborator was getting refouled after rebuilding I replaced the carb again, the fuel lines and fuel pump diaphram and the engine ran well. I keep a new spare carb and spare fuel lines on my garage shelf now.

You can take out a fuel line section, let it dry in the sun and look through it, if you see a yellow residue it is fouled. The idel jet in the carborator is easily fouled becuase it such a small orfice and you need boats to idel these days because the interlocks won't let you get in gear unless you are low speed idel. It sounds like a lot to replace the fuel lines but in my case it is all rubber hoses, tank to 10 micron filter, filter to quick disconenct, disconnect to in line filter, pump, carb. My rubber hoses are clamped with cable ties, be sure to use the cable ties that are UV and grease resistant, you can get them at a marine store or auto parts store. That said I check for broken cable ties on the fuel line when I open up the cowling to check the oil dip stick before each use.

This year I started using Yamaha RingFree + (the plus is in case you get some ethanol fuel plus protects components and fittings from the corrosive effects of sulfur from burning E10 fuels if you were to get ahold of some) fuel additive, the bass forum guys swear by RingFree, the motorcycle forum guys swear by SeaFoam, I think that I like RingFree but I will know better at the end of the summer. RingFree is concentrated 1oz for 10 gallons, I have stainless steel measuring spoon, I only need 1-1/2T for my 6 gallons. The marine shop you are working with now sells RingFree + 12oz bottle for $18.95. If you do start using a fuel additive it might be wise to get a recommendation on the additive type from your engine manufacture.
 
Great news, Wayne. Hoping for the best for you tomorrow on your test run. Let us know how it all turns out. We're rootin' for ya!!
 
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