Noob question regarding a loss of power. Mercruiser 3.0

[durban131]

Specs:
1998 18" Bayliner Capri 1750
Mercruiser 3.0 I/O

Hello guys,

After spending much time online, Im at the point where I need some human feedback based on my issue. I am not a very mechanically inclined person. I am attempting to learn all I can from forums like this one but there is definitely a learning curve and I am attempting to climb it. I will describe my issue as basically as I can, please understand you are talking to a novice.

The other day I ran into a very dicey situation. Weather was good so I ventured out of the harbor, farther than I normally do. Come night time and Im cruising back to harbor and then BOOM, my engine stopped and ALL power was gone. It was starting to get dark and I was definitely nervous. After searching around I found that the O-ring that attaches main red wire from my battery to my starter was snapped. Fortunately I had set of jumper cables and I was able to complete the connection, start the boat, and make it back home.

I thought that once the engine was running, you could basically disconnect the battery and the motor would still run? Why did my boat engine die while powered and running? And what need to be replaced? Thanks for any feedback you may provide. It is much appreciated.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Noob question regarding a loss of power. Mercruiser 3.0

Specs:
1998 18" Bayliner Capri 1750
Mercruiser 3.0 I/O

Hello guys,

After spending much time online, Im at the point where I need some human feedback based on my issue. I am not a very mechanically inclined person. I am attempting to learn all I can from forums like this one but there is definitely a learning curve and I am attempting to climb it. I will describe my issue as basically as I can, please understand you are talking to a novice.

The other day I ran into a very dicey situation. Weather was good so I ventured out of the harbor, farther than I normally do. Come night time and Im cruising back to harbor and then BOOM, my engine stopped and ALL power was gone. It was starting to get dark and I was definitely nervous. After searching around I found that the O-ring that attaches main red wire from my battery to my starter was snapped. Fortunately I had set of jumper cables and I was able to complete the connection, start the boat, and make it back home.

I thought that once the engine was running, you could basically disconnect the battery and the motor would still run? Why did my boat engine die while powered and running? And what need to be replaced? Thanks for any feedback you may provide. It is much appreciated.

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... My guess is when the wire broke off the starter, it fried something in the alternator...

Yer not suppose to run a motor with the battery disconnected, for just that reason...

 

[Don S]

Re: Noob question regarding a loss of power. Mercruiser 3.0

After searching around I found that the O-ring that attaches main red wire from my battery to my starter was snapped.

I'm really confused with the above statement. There is no oring holding your battery cable to your starter, of anything else.

Please, post a picture of what broke.

 

[dingdongs]

Re: Noob question regarding a loss of power. Mercruiser 3.0

the lug may have work hardened and broke off the main red cable.replace complete cable with a quality cable which is of the flexible variety as the cheaper ones are not upto the job.you may want to check your ground wire too as this may also have the possibility of failure being the same age.
its always good to carry with you a small tool kit as you discovered by having a set of jump leads got you out of a sticky situation.if your in a place that freezes over the winter it may be worth draining all water out the block and manifold and read some winterising posts.were here to help and save expense and keep you afloat.

 

[durban131]

Re: Noob question regarding a loss of power. Mercruiser 3.0

Ayuh,... Welcome Aboard,.... My guess is when the wire broke off the starter, it fried something in the alternator...

Yer not suppose to run a motor with the battery disconnected, for just that reason...

Ok. So even though I've re-established the connection and the boat starts and runs fine, I should probably replace the alternator, correct? Thanks for the responce

 

[dingdongs]

Re: Noob question regarding a loss of power. Mercruiser 3.0

the alternator supplies power to charge the battery and is driven by your pully via a belt.dont replace unless you have tested the voltage at your battery with the engine running.around 14volts will be acceptable.a m
cheap multimeter may be required and test on the battery without engine running first.

 

[durban131]

Re: Noob question regarding a loss of power. Mercruiser 3.0

I'm really confused with the above statement. There is no oring holding your battery cable to your starter, of anything else.

Please, post a picture of what broke.

O-ring probably isnt the correct term. Im talking about the round metal piece at the end of the wire that is used to bolt on to terminals to make solid connections. I wouldnt be able to take a picture for a couple days but im talking about something like this which broke:

 

[thumpar]

Re: Noob question regarding a loss of power. Mercruiser 3.0

You can just cut the old one off and put a new one on. If you are not familiar with this just take it to an auto electric shop and have them put it on. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes.

 

[durban131]

Re: Noob question regarding a loss of power. Mercruiser 3.0

the lug may have work hardened and broke off the main red cable.replace complete cable with a quality cable which is of the flexible variety as the cheaper ones are not upto the job.you may want to check your ground wire too as this may also have the possibility of failure being the same age.

Got it. And I will replace that cable with a higher quality one. But even so, should the boat have kept running? Im really confused why the severed cable caused the engine to die in the first place.

its always good to carry with you a small tool kit as you discovered by having a set of jump leads got you out of a sticky situation.

And a good flashlight! But aint that the truth. And the fact that I had those cables was pure coincidence. Believe me, they aren't leaving that boat.

the alternator supplies power to charge the battery and is driven by your pully via a belt.dont replace unless you have tested the voltage at your battery with the engine running.around 14volts will be acceptable.a m
cheap multimeter may be required and test on the battery without engine running first.

Thanks for info.

 

[durban131]

Re: Noob question regarding a loss of power. Mercruiser 3.0

You can just cut the old one off and put a new one on. If you are not familiar with this just take it to an auto electric shop and have them put it on. It shouldn't take more than a few minutes.

Sure, I can replace the terminal. But the boat should have continued to run, why did it die while underway? Something failed. Based on other responses it seems like I have either been cruising around with a bad alternator, or it was fried once the connection severed.

 

[dingdongs]

Re: Noob question regarding a loss of power. Mercruiser 3.0

you lost the +ve supply which also supplied your ignition.check the circuitry out with a multimeter as i explained above to see if you have 14v with engine running at the battery.12.5 to 12.7v without engine running.
a cheap one like this;http://www.ebay.com/itm/Digital-DC-...329?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item416bb4e481 or from a motor dealer.napa/walmart may be a good bet.
this pic may be of some help;http://uk.images.search.yahoo.com/i...gb=13gve0eue&sigi=12f9c2kmr&.crumb=8OcGN0tujs.
have a read through this too as charging is similar to boats.http://www.misterfixit.com/alterntr.htm