Cobra Stalling

[dozerII]

A friend has a 1991 4.3 Cobra 2bl. When shifting into reverse the engine will die just like you hit a kill switch. We are miles and miles from an OMC dealer. Where should we start with a diagnosis?

Thanks

 

[astuckey]

Re: Cobra Stalling

Sounds like an electrical problem. It is only when you shift INTO reverse? Not out of either gear, or into forward? Does the problem still happen out of water?

 

[dozerII]

Re: Cobra Stalling

Sounds like an electrical problem. It is only when you shift INTO reverse? Not out of either gear, or into forward? Does the problem still happen out of water?

That's correct only going into reverse, in or out of the water.

 

[astuckey]

Re: Cobra Stalling

Is your shift cable adjusted correctly? Does the arm that is attached to the shift cable move when you shift into reverse? It should only move when you come out of gear.

 

[Reinell-BRXL-191]

Re: Cobra Stalling

Hanging lower shift cable... have someone watch the ESA while someone else shifts the boat in to reverse.. I bet the roller switch is climbing the "W" - to test this, unplug the ESA and then try shifting - if the problem goes away, time to change out the lower shift cable

EDIT - You beat me to it by a second!

 

[dozerII]

Re: Cobra Stalling

Thanks a bunch, will check it out and report back.

 

[airdvr1227]

Re: Cobra Stalling

Definitely sounds like the ESA

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Cobra Stalling

A friend has a 1991 4.3 Cobra 2bl. When shifting into reverse the engine will die just like you hit a kill switch. We are miles and miles from an OMC dealer. Where should we start with a diagnosis?

Thanks

Not only are you "miles" from an OMC dealer but you're also YEARS. [OMC doesn't exist any more if you didn't know]

It would be helpful if you indicate the model number of the engine/drive combo.

in 1990 the 4.3L used points and in 1991 it used an electronic ignition..........with an Electronic Shift Assist (ESA) system

Your friend could have either year in his "1991" boat.

If it dies like "you hit a kill switch", it's frequently an ESA problem....... either electrical or mechanical with the lower shift cable binding/maladjusted.

Normal troubleshooting techniques apply here.

Have a look at OMC Cobra Sterndrive Tech Info AND ,

The following thread might help as a start http://forums.iboats.com/omc-i-o-in...have-technical-information-diyers-468655.html

If you want to work on it, you'll need an OEM service manual too.




Cheers,


Rick

 

[dozerII]

Re: Cobra Stalling

Not only are you "miles" from an OMC dealer but you're also YEARS. [OMC doesn't exist any more if you didn't know]

It would be helpful if you indicate the model number of the engine/drive combo.

in 1990 the 4.3L used points and in 1991 it used an electronic ignition..........with an Electronic Shift Assist (ESA) system

Your friend could have either year in his "1991" boat.

If it dies like "you hit a kill switch", it's frequently an ESA problem....... either electrical or mechanical with the lower shift cable binding/maladjusted.

Normal troubleshooting techniques apply here.

Have a look at OMC Cobra Sterndrive Tech Info AND ,

The following thread might help as a start http://forums.iboats.com/omc-i-o-in...have-technical-information-diyers-468655.html

If you want to work on it, you'll need an OEM service manual too.




Cheers,


Rick

Thanks Rick, I'm hoping to get a chance to look at it this week. I will get the serial #s to add to the thread. It has electronic ignition I believe.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Cobra Stalling

I will get the serial #s to add to the thread. It has electronic ignition I believe.

MODEL number is more important with OMC.

It should look like the following: (From BRP -- Parts Catalogs )

432AMLPWS 1990

432APLRGD 1991

Also, don't forget we're something like 23 years later.......A LOT can happen in 23 years (like many unreported/undocumented modifications)

 

[dozerII]

Re: Cobra Stalling

Thanks for the help, we cleaned up all the dried grease on the ESA pivot arms and cable attachment points and it shift like a dream.

 

[floattest]

Re: Cobra Stalling

Nice!. I love these: "I cleaned up the engine and now it runs perfect"

Wouldn't it be nice if every boat motor problem was this easy?

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Cobra Stalling

Thanks for the help, we cleaned up all the dried grease on the ESA pivot arms and cable attachment points and it shift like a dream.

If it "shifts like a dream" in the water, good for you!

If it "shifts like a dream on the trailer", you still have to check it in the water.

The shift assist system doesn't (or shouldn't) activate unless the prop is loaded (in the water)

 

[dozerII]

Re: Cobra Stalling

Thanks again for the help. We finally got the boat on the water and it shifts real nice. But a couple other issues surfaced.
1. When in reverse it will idle fine, but won't take any throttle. The more throttle you give it the rougher it runs till it just dies.

2. When running at WOT 4800 rpm and 36mph gps a touch on the trim switch either up or down will cause a momentary kill to the engine, the trim goes up and down with little burble.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Cobra Stalling

Okay we ordered a lower shift cable for the boat, to day I took the outdrive off as per the manual instructions. Quite a bit of clean water came out when I separated the outdrive from the bell housing. There is about half an inch of water in the bellows could this have come from splitting the two parts? There is absolutely no rust on the drive shaft, ujoints, or gimbal bearing. The gimbal bearing will need to be replaced as well because it is very rough when you turn it. Mostly I'm concerned with the water in the bellows.

 

[Don S]

Re: Cobra Stalling

You need a new bellows.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Cobra Stalling

You need a new bellows.

Thanks Don, but I think my buddy has bigger problems than bellows. (which are good). The clamps were way loose on the bellows, the shift cable which was supposed to be new was cracked almost all the way through three inches forward of where it screws in at the rear. There is no seal to push it through into the hull, but a jury rigged hose that runs up above the water line with a set of bellows on it. This hose was full of water, and the crack in the shift cable was allowing water to run into the shift lever cavity and straight into the bellows.

 

[dozerII]

Re: Cobra Stalling

After changing the lower shift cable and the gimble bearing. Aligning the motor and then going through all the adjustments as per Stuart Hastings, everything is working great.