gtink
06-17-2005, 03:58 PM
Hi all, I am opening this thread to help any of you out there having a similar problem that my wife and I had. The goal, saving you money as I have spent close to $2500 searching down this problem.
Boat:
1995 MasterCraft ProStar 205
LT1 Corvette, EFI 310 HP rating
1:1 Trans with 13X13 prop
Problem:
Boat ran PERFECT for many months after wife and I purchased it used. Then one day, while cruising at 2,800 - 3,000 RPM's the boat hesitated, then surged back to speed. The problem with the hesitation continued to get worse and worse to the point where the boat would not run over 700 RPM's (I know your thinking limp mode, but No, that was not it.)
After shutting the boat down, letting it sit for about 10 min (not enough time to cool... if anything the motor got hotter sitting with no cool water flowing through it) we were able to start back up and drive back to the Dock with no problem.
Mechanic's time:
We had a local mechanic look at the problem, who put the boat in the water and as soon as he started the boat noticed the hesitation. (Strange, it came right back after sitting for close to a week). after 2 weeks I called to get an update and was given a lot of attitude from the local mechanic... In short, I imminently got my boat from that mechanic and took it to JOA, @ Lake Lanier Atlanta Ga.
JOA had it for about a 4 or 5 business days and after running extensive diagnostics, found no problem. Yet the boat still hesitated.
First Solution:
(yes read on, more than one problem existed.)
JOA drained the Gas tank and put Fresh gas in. Boat now ran PERFECT.
Second Problem:
About 1 month, the hesitation returned, but this time the effect was much different. Before, it was a simple hesitation. This time, the motor was flooding out, as if the spark plugs were failing or head gasket blown.
After being very satisfied with JOA with the prior issue, I choose them again. After changing many parts, fuel filter, fuel pump, spark plugs, and wires the motor still ran like CRAP.
Symptoms:
motor running like it was starving for AIR, gas film on top of water, smoke white dark smoke and smell of fuel from exhaust like the boat was flooded. motor running like it was firing on 6 cylinders ":) no small motors allowed."
Final Solution:
The mechanic borrowed an ECM from another MasterCraft LT1, which allowed my boat to run like a DREAM again :friday: Needless to say, I am extremely happy. Yes, the ECM cost me $1,000 but my bad running days should be over...
I do hope this thread helps those of you with EFI motors experiencing similar problems.
If your in the Altlanta area, contact JOA service and speak with Ron or D.J. There Tech (think his name is Andy) knows what they hell they are doing even when the problem is very difficult to find. Note: the ECM never gave a error code.
####Root cause of failure: Unknown, so you would think my insurance company Traveler's would cover the repair work. :) well, I submitted the claim today, its now a waiting game.
I hope this helps someone...
Greg
Boat:
1995 MasterCraft ProStar 205
LT1 Corvette, EFI 310 HP rating
1:1 Trans with 13X13 prop
Problem:
Boat ran PERFECT for many months after wife and I purchased it used. Then one day, while cruising at 2,800 - 3,000 RPM's the boat hesitated, then surged back to speed. The problem with the hesitation continued to get worse and worse to the point where the boat would not run over 700 RPM's (I know your thinking limp mode, but No, that was not it.)
After shutting the boat down, letting it sit for about 10 min (not enough time to cool... if anything the motor got hotter sitting with no cool water flowing through it) we were able to start back up and drive back to the Dock with no problem.
Mechanic's time:
We had a local mechanic look at the problem, who put the boat in the water and as soon as he started the boat noticed the hesitation. (Strange, it came right back after sitting for close to a week). after 2 weeks I called to get an update and was given a lot of attitude from the local mechanic... In short, I imminently got my boat from that mechanic and took it to JOA, @ Lake Lanier Atlanta Ga.
JOA had it for about a 4 or 5 business days and after running extensive diagnostics, found no problem. Yet the boat still hesitated.
First Solution:
(yes read on, more than one problem existed.)
JOA drained the Gas tank and put Fresh gas in. Boat now ran PERFECT.
Second Problem:
About 1 month, the hesitation returned, but this time the effect was much different. Before, it was a simple hesitation. This time, the motor was flooding out, as if the spark plugs were failing or head gasket blown.
After being very satisfied with JOA with the prior issue, I choose them again. After changing many parts, fuel filter, fuel pump, spark plugs, and wires the motor still ran like CRAP.
Symptoms:
motor running like it was starving for AIR, gas film on top of water, smoke white dark smoke and smell of fuel from exhaust like the boat was flooded. motor running like it was firing on 6 cylinders ":) no small motors allowed."
Final Solution:
The mechanic borrowed an ECM from another MasterCraft LT1, which allowed my boat to run like a DREAM again :friday: Needless to say, I am extremely happy. Yes, the ECM cost me $1,000 but my bad running days should be over...
I do hope this thread helps those of you with EFI motors experiencing similar problems.
If your in the Altlanta area, contact JOA service and speak with Ron or D.J. There Tech (think his name is Andy) knows what they hell they are doing even when the problem is very difficult to find. Note: the ECM never gave a error code.
####Root cause of failure: Unknown, so you would think my insurance company Traveler's would cover the repair work. :) well, I submitted the claim today, its now a waiting game.
I hope this helps someone...
Greg