View Full Version : Riddle me this Batman!


JFigliuolo
04-22-2014, 06:45 AM
Started and ran the boat on the muffs after uncovering it for the year. Performed some maintenance, adjusted the throttle position sensor, synched the butterfly valves, changed the plugs. Splashed the boat a week ago Sunday. RAN LIKE S&^%. Couldn't get above ~2700 RPM. Changed the fuel bulb (which was suspect). Now got to 4000. WTF?!?!!?

Thought maybe a fuel line issue. Brought it home, inspected the entire fuel system. Cleaned my VST filter/tank, which was near perfect anyway. Started it up in a barrel, still sounded a TINY BIT rough, not enough to concern me normally, but enough to give me concern after it not running right. After a long multi day process of ruling out almost everything..... found #2 and #4 cylinders were not firing. I am guessing 2 bad coils. As an why the hell not? i swapped plugs on the #1 #2 cylinders.... now 2 was firing, 1 was not.:smash::smash::smash::smash::smash::smash::sma sh::smash:


believe it or not... TWO! not ONE but TWO! of my brand new NGK sparkplugs were bad. WTF!?!?!?!!?!? I've never had ONE defective plug in my life. Now I have TWO!?!?!?!!? Replaced them and everything seems AOK. Lots of agonizing over $6 in parts.

again WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

I have to admit.... After all this I thought to myself, "Clammer isn't all crazy after all. He wouldn't have done a thing and would be right as rain..." I thinks he knows more than we give him credit for!

fishsmith
04-22-2014, 06:57 AM
$6 for agonizing is a great deal. :)

Congrats on finding the fix without going to the shop.
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Raven
04-22-2014, 07:01 AM
i wonder how fast those Spark plugs are made

MakoMike
04-22-2014, 07:21 AM
Look at the bright side at least you found it without spending a lot of money. :)

JFigliuolo
04-22-2014, 07:37 AM
Trust me.... on the balance I'm VERY happy. $6 in plugs, $40 for a timing light. That's a bargain by any measure.

Clammer
04-22-2014, 07:47 AM
As the old saying goes .leave well enough alone ><><>:buds:

Raven
04-22-2014, 08:32 AM
you could have taken those new plugs
and pre-tested them using a push lawnmower
by grounding the plug to the metal body
preferably at night to "SEE" the spark fire

or you could do that for some other replacement plugs
to KNOW they're good if you have them
on Board.... the Boat

just some thoughts........

bassballer
04-22-2014, 10:34 AM
Trust me.... on the balance I'm VERY happy. $6 in plugs, $40 for a timing light. That's a bargain by any measure.

cant beat that Joe. i would have sent it in and paid the $100/hr bill. Im mechanically challenged.

piemma
04-23-2014, 06:17 AM
Started and ran the boat on the muffs after uncovering it for the year. Performed some maintenance, adjusted the throttle position sensor, synched the butterfly valves, changed the plugs. Splashed the boat a week ago Sunday. RAN LIKE S&^%. Couldn't get above ~2700 RPM. Changed the fuel bulb (which was suspect). Now got to 4000. WTF?!?!!?

Thought maybe a fuel line issue. Brought it home, inspected the entire fuel system. Cleaned my VST filter/tank, which was near perfect anyway. Started it up in a barrel, still sounded a TINY BIT rough, not enough to concern me normally, but enough to give me concern after it not running right. After a long multi day process of ruling out almost everything..... found #2 and #4 cylinders were not firing. I am guessing 2 bad coils. As an why the hell not? i swapped plugs on the #1 #2 cylinders.... now 2 was firing, 1 was not.:smash::smash::smash::smash::smash::smash::sma sh::smash:


believe it or not... TWO! not ONE but TWO! of my brand new NGK sparkplugs were bad. WTF!?!?!?!!?!? I've never had ONE defective plug in my life. Now I have TWO!?!?!?!!? Replaced them and everything seems AOK. Lots of agonizing over $6 in parts.

again WTF?!?!?!?!?!?!?!

I have to admit.... After all this I thought to myself, "Clammer isn't all crazy after all. He wouldn't have done a thing and would be right as rain..." I thinks he knows more than we give him credit for!

Joe, ya makin' me nervous. I always buy NGKs. Do you buy the Iridiums? They are expensive at $8+ each but I have never had a problem in 8 years.

JFigliuolo
04-23-2014, 06:54 AM
Just the straight NGK's. 2 duds right out of the box.