Having engine problems (again).....
I'm honestly thinking, that maybe I'm not suppose to ever have a boat, seems like engine issues, have followed me from boat to boat.....
This is my 4th boat in 15 yrs, and last two boats have given me problems.....
Both last 2 boats came from salt-water, keep that in mind......
Anyway, new boat 2000 18' Angler CC, and 2000 90hp 2-stroke Johnson giving me issues, actually only the engine.
The boat itself is a sweet boat, and handle Winnie waters, like a dream. The engine however, has given me issues.
First time I took current boat on inaugural launch it ran fine at dock for about 10 min, then another 10-15 at half-throttle cruising.... It was quiet smooth, and purred w/o any issues, sounded like a new motor ! At about this time, the engine started to cough , sputter, and then stalled. Had to be towed back to dock.
Thinking it was fuel related, I changed fuel filter, added fresh gas (89 Octane), with some 'Seafoam', and went out second time. Decided to run at dock for 10-15 min, no issues....Started to cruise at about half-throttle again, and after 10 min, same scenario as before, engine coughing, sputter, then stalled. You could almost set your clock, when to expect the engine to die !
Towed back to dock again. Thank God for BOAT US 'unlimited towing' for $58 annual policy!
One saving grace, I was alone this time when the engine quit ! The FAM was not involved TG !
Anyway, this story is getting old, and now it's mid July and I want to enjoy the boat for the rest of the season.
I had this exact same scenario on previous boat I purchased, however was a 4.3L Merc, and coincidently that boat also came from salt-water. The issue with that engine was the 'coil', a $35 part, I replaced myself, and I was back on the water 'trouble-free' from then on, ran like a top! The coil was heating up, and after 15 min or so, it must have been shorting out. I suspect the internal parts had some corrosion from salt-water use over the years..... Obviously, I couldn’t see the inside of the coil, but the new coil replacement solved the problem.....
Do Forum folks think that my current issue with 90hp Johnson could be experiencing the same problem? Just seems so coincidental......
If it's again my coil, how easy is it to change-out, on an outboard?
Thanks for your feedback.
Bigdog