Help Please 496 MAG running rough low revs for short time

Impetuous

Cadet
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Messages
8
Hi, this is my first time thread and I am hoping that someone can help with some good advice as I am at wits end
Have a 2008 Mag 496 DTS with about 70 hours on the clock, repowering an early model 30 foot Fjord. I bought the boat two years ago and it hasn?t run right since. First problem was running way too rich. Heaps of black soot on water. The mechanic spent weeks trying to figure it out. Eventually discovered it was a gradual build up of fuel pressure due to a micro screen disc filter (or something like that) that was getting blocked. He removed this and the running rich was finally fixed. He said that Volvos had a similar problem and it was ok to remove the disc as there was still a filter in the pump.
Since around that time, I have had an annoying intermittent problem. The engine starts first time every time and purrs like a kitten. I let it warm up for about 5 minutes as this tends to lessen the problem. When I pull away from the dock it runs rough for usually for about 3 to 5 minutes and then comes good. This occurs at around 1100 to 1800 revs. It seems to go away completely after the engine has been run for a while. This is the case on almost every occasion, although it may run rough for only a minute or on my last trip on and off for half an hour which is the most it has done so. Was ok at 1800 revs but started to run rough when throttled back to 1400
Here?s the weird thing. It seems to be worst after the boat has been sitting for a week. If I go out today, it will run rough as described above but the problems not there the next day. For this reason it has been a little hard for the mechanic to pin point the problem. We have changed both the MAP sensor and the IAT sensor along with fitting an external fuel filter and water separator. The mechanic doesn?t seem to think it?s a fuel problem as it is intermittent. Put some fuel stabiliser in before my last trip, doubt that?s connected to the problem increasing, suspect it is just co-incidence
I have put up with it as we just put it down to the engine being temperamental but something is wrong . AAARRGHH
 

Fun Times

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
May 16, 2009
Messages
8,805
Re: Help Please 496 MAG running rough low revs for short time

Have you put in fresh AC 41-983 spark plugs yet after running rich?

Removing the micro screen disc filter is only putting a band aid on something that needs stitches and that's going to lead to an infection up stream in the fuel system.

You're fuel module components should look like this, Correct?
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...br=12826&bnbr=60&bdesc=Fuel+Module+Components

If so, google paint inside the mercruiser cool fuel 3 system and see if this is you're real issue.

Have you change out the two fuel filters inside the fuel module?
 

dingdongs

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 29, 2009
Messages
649
Re: Help Please 496 MAG running rough low revs for short time

have the leads been changed with new ones and if not it may be time for some together with cap and spark plugs as above post.make sure there in the correct sequence as someone b4 may have mixed them.
 

Impetuous

Cadet
Joined
Nov 25, 2012
Messages
8
Re: Help Please 496 MAG running rough low revs for short time

Hi, this is my first time thread and I am hoping that someone can help with some good advice as I am at wits end
Have a 2008 Mag 496 DTS with about 70 hours on the clock, repowering an early model 30 foot Fjord. I bought the boat two years ago and it hasn?t run right since. First problem was running way too rich. Heaps of black soot on water. The mechanic spent weeks trying to figure it out. Eventually discovered it was a gradual build up of fuel pressure due to a micro screen disc filter (or something like that) that was getting blocked. He removed this and the running rich was finally fixed. He said that Volvos had a similar problem and it was ok to remove the disc as there was still a filter in the pump.
Since around that time, I have had an annoying intermittent problem. The engine starts first time every time and purrs like a kitten. I let it warm up for about 5 minutes as this tends to lessen the problem. When I pull away from the dock it runs rough for usually for about 3 to 5 minutes and then comes good. This occurs at around 1100 to 1800 revs. It seems to go away completely after the engine has been run for a while. This is the case on almost every occasion, although it may run rough for only a minute or on my last trip on and off for half an hour which is the most it has done so. Was ok at 1800 revs but started to run rough when throttled back to 1400
Here?s the weird thing. It seems to be worst after the boat has been sitting for a week. If I go out today, it will run rough as described above but the problems not there the next day. For this reason it has been a little hard for the mechanic to pin point the problem. We have changed both the MAP sensor and the IAT sensor along with fitting an external fuel filter and water separator. The mechanic doesn?t seem to think it?s a fuel problem as it is intermittent. Put some fuel stabiliser in before my last trip, doubt that?s connected to the problem increasing, suspect it is just co-incidence
I have put up with it as we just put it down to the engine being temperamental but something is wrong . AAARRGHH

Thanks (seem to be having trouble replying to this post so trying again) Changing the plugs seems to be the best place to start. I did read somewhere that the insulators can cause problems that come good when plug is hot. Is this a job for mechanic or can a DIY'er do it? had a look and some of the plugs are obscured by hoses etc? is there a need to drain coolant etc?
 

04fxdwgi

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 10, 2011
Messages
754
Re: Help Please 496 MAG running rough low revs for short time

Thanks (seem to be having trouble replying to this post so trying again) Changing the plugs seems to be the best place to start. I did read somewhere that the insulators can cause problems that come good when plug is hot. Is this a job for mechanic or can a DIY'er do it? had a look and some of the plugs are obscured by hoses etc? is there a need to drain coolant etc?

Changing the plugs is pretty straight forward. No draining coolant or anything, BUT, you'll be working by "Feel" on them. as they are hidden under the exhaust manifold, out of sight. Just take your time and be sure they are threading in straight, by hand. Only use the ratchet to tighten them and you should be good to go. Takes me 20 minutes to do mine on the 454, Bravo 1. I use the NKG's w/ no problems at all. Hardest part was getting old plug wires off and new ones to "click" back on. Use dielectric grease on boots and it helps a ton, both on and off.

The yellow color gets me at least 2.5 mph extra speed.
 
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