Well, just got back from the delta and now I am 3 for 3.
XS-2003: Fried #6. Powerhead wasted.
XR-2001: Gearcase being repaired; ECU being recurved.
XB-2003: This weekend: 280 started running erratically above 6200 rpm. Nothing major; just some barely perceptible tach fluctuation. Just would not pull consistently through the range of 6200 to wide open. Seemed like if you backed off the gas for a second, it would recover and pull hard.
I should have known something was up when I couldn't break 90 with a 26ET and a full load. With a 26 Trophy last March I could get 92.7, and the ET felt like it had as much if not greater lift compared to that. But 89.6, 89.7 was all I could tick off, hitting 74-7600 rpm. At no time did the EGT's go over 1100 nor the temp pass 145.
I was out fishing with my son and wasn't trying to break any records anyway, the holeshot was awesome and the motor idled like a kitten, so I didn't give it much thought.
Then later this afternoon, just for fun I slapped on the 24P yammie copy made by Performance Props of Soddy Daisy. This was the first time I had run this prop and it didn't disappoint. Figured if all was well, I could put it on the 8400 limiter. It pulled out of the hole like a striped-a$$ed ape but as soon as we hit 6200 the herky jerky crap started again. So enough of this; cut the losses early and head for the trailer while she still runs! Ever been there?
At some point around 2400 rpm I became aware of a "SCREECH" coming from behind me...that COULDN'T be the motor, right? The sentence from the shop manual scrolled across my vision like the ticker on MSNBC....."A Chirping sound at acceleration usually means the rod bearings are galled from excessive no-load idle conditions....."
So I slow down and mash the pedal again..."SCREE!! Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!" SAY it ain't so!!
This ain't bearings, I think to myself (best work at denial)...it sounds like a belt slipping. Popped on the Lowrance voltage window, sure enough, voltage at 11.6 and no increase with rpm. No charging.
Long story shorter, back at the ramp found the $%#&! tensioning idler adjustment bolt sheared off and GONE, just broke clean off at the block. what's worse, 2 out of 3 ECU attachment bolts were gone. Found the broke idler bolt and its washer, found ONE of the two missing ECU bolts and its aluminum stepped-washer friend. But the last ECU bolt and washer are GONE and I can't find them anywhere. We looked over that motor for over an hour, tipped it, shook it, stuck fingers between PH and pan, shift linkage, I'm tellin ya that bolt and washer are outta here and I don't know where.
Gee, do ya think they're stuck in a reed cage, waiting their final destination?
The SCREECH was the belt slipping; it was still in place and the alternator was hot as a firecracker from the friction (I guess).?
Anybody else ever have this happen? (Idler arm bolt shear off clean.) WHY would this happen?
Stay tuned for more high drama, "Removing broke bolt that's 271 locktited in place with an EZ-out"....
XS-2003: Fried #6. Powerhead wasted.
XR-2001: Gearcase being repaired; ECU being recurved.
XB-2003: This weekend: 280 started running erratically above 6200 rpm. Nothing major; just some barely perceptible tach fluctuation. Just would not pull consistently through the range of 6200 to wide open. Seemed like if you backed off the gas for a second, it would recover and pull hard.
I should have known something was up when I couldn't break 90 with a 26ET and a full load. With a 26 Trophy last March I could get 92.7, and the ET felt like it had as much if not greater lift compared to that. But 89.6, 89.7 was all I could tick off, hitting 74-7600 rpm. At no time did the EGT's go over 1100 nor the temp pass 145.
I was out fishing with my son and wasn't trying to break any records anyway, the holeshot was awesome and the motor idled like a kitten, so I didn't give it much thought.
Then later this afternoon, just for fun I slapped on the 24P yammie copy made by Performance Props of Soddy Daisy. This was the first time I had run this prop and it didn't disappoint. Figured if all was well, I could put it on the 8400 limiter. It pulled out of the hole like a striped-a$$ed ape but as soon as we hit 6200 the herky jerky crap started again. So enough of this; cut the losses early and head for the trailer while she still runs! Ever been there?
At some point around 2400 rpm I became aware of a "SCREECH" coming from behind me...that COULDN'T be the motor, right? The sentence from the shop manual scrolled across my vision like the ticker on MSNBC....."A Chirping sound at acceleration usually means the rod bearings are galled from excessive no-load idle conditions....."
So I slow down and mash the pedal again..."SCREE!! Chirp! Chirp! Chirp!" SAY it ain't so!!
This ain't bearings, I think to myself (best work at denial)...it sounds like a belt slipping. Popped on the Lowrance voltage window, sure enough, voltage at 11.6 and no increase with rpm. No charging.
Long story shorter, back at the ramp found the $%#&! tensioning idler adjustment bolt sheared off and GONE, just broke clean off at the block. what's worse, 2 out of 3 ECU attachment bolts were gone. Found the broke idler bolt and its washer, found ONE of the two missing ECU bolts and its aluminum stepped-washer friend. But the last ECU bolt and washer are GONE and I can't find them anywhere. We looked over that motor for over an hour, tipped it, shook it, stuck fingers between PH and pan, shift linkage, I'm tellin ya that bolt and washer are outta here and I don't know where.
Gee, do ya think they're stuck in a reed cage, waiting their final destination?
The SCREECH was the belt slipping; it was still in place and the alternator was hot as a firecracker from the friction (I guess).?
Anybody else ever have this happen? (Idler arm bolt shear off clean.) WHY would this happen?
Stay tuned for more high drama, "Removing broke bolt that's 271 locktited in place with an EZ-out"....
