Sir Rick,
Kevin here, up in Lancaster. Got a Gambler 209 w/ a 225 Opti and having trouble. It's in the shop right now and we can't figure it out. Starts hard, then goes to WOT (in neutral), continuously. Rev limiter holds it at 2500 rpm, but if we disconnect the in-gear safety switch, it goes wide open. Checked everything it sez to do in the Merc service manual, no gain.
I don't mind going over 80 mph, but not all the time.
Any ideas would be appreciated.
BTW, JB, Ron, et al, (Sounds like one of those football talking head groups), great site, I'll visit often and tell my friends.
Thanks,
Kevin
225 Opti at steady WOT
First place to look is the TPI. [Throttle position indicator] Could be giving the computer bad info. Does it have a foot throttle? Make sure the linkage is coming back to idle. If the shop you are in has a Mercury computer they should be able to hook it up and tell what is happening. If they are not a certified shop, I suggest taking it to one. Did this just start all the sudden? Need more info please. Rick G.
Hey Rick,
Thanks for your quick response.
Several of my friends have bought boats from you, all happy campers, and I've always heard great things about you. But honestly, I didn't really think you'd have the time to respond to my request for help. I'm WAY impresssed! (Whatever that's worth) Thank You.
Disconnected the TPI connector with the engine running, no change
Is there a voltage range that I can measure on the cable or resistance on the TPI? How do I know if it's bad?
Physically, the throttle linkage reacts normal
Disconnected each of the fuel injectors with the engine running, no change
Removed & inspected the fuel injector O-rings, all good.
Yes, I do have a Hot Foot (gotta have 2 hands on the wheel in a Gambler)
I have a Merc Diag. Computer, no errors beyond the expected ( no air temp sensor, no fuel level sensor, etc)
I also have the Smartcraft guages... could something have gone wrong there?
The shop replaced a fuel pump diaphragm that had a small tear in it, and another diaphagm in something on the right fuel rail. He did notice that there is something like a plunger inside of this unit that does not move. Should it?
PSI differential is normal 80-85 on air, 95-100 on fuel. I did notice that when I bleed off the air Schrader valve (left side rail) that a mist/vapor of fuel comes out. Is this normal? My guess is that it's getting fuel in the air some how and the computer is increasing the rpm to burn off the fuel/air mixture.
I'm no mechanic Rick... used to be an elctronics/system guy on missiles, but that was in another life.
It did not happen all of a sudden, started out just occassionally revving up for a few seconds, then back to idle (in neutral) gradually and steadily got worse over a couple a months.
Hope this gives you more to go on, and thanks a million for your help.
Think i'm gonna love this board for this and a lot of other reasons.
Kevin
Thanks for your quick response.
Several of my friends have bought boats from you, all happy campers, and I've always heard great things about you. But honestly, I didn't really think you'd have the time to respond to my request for help. I'm WAY impresssed! (Whatever that's worth) Thank You.
Disconnected the TPI connector with the engine running, no change
Is there a voltage range that I can measure on the cable or resistance on the TPI? How do I know if it's bad?
Physically, the throttle linkage reacts normal
Disconnected each of the fuel injectors with the engine running, no change
Removed & inspected the fuel injector O-rings, all good.
Yes, I do have a Hot Foot (gotta have 2 hands on the wheel in a Gambler)
I have a Merc Diag. Computer, no errors beyond the expected ( no air temp sensor, no fuel level sensor, etc)
I also have the Smartcraft guages... could something have gone wrong there?
The shop replaced a fuel pump diaphragm that had a small tear in it, and another diaphagm in something on the right fuel rail. He did notice that there is something like a plunger inside of this unit that does not move. Should it?
PSI differential is normal 80-85 on air, 95-100 on fuel. I did notice that when I bleed off the air Schrader valve (left side rail) that a mist/vapor of fuel comes out. Is this normal? My guess is that it's getting fuel in the air some how and the computer is increasing the rpm to burn off the fuel/air mixture.
I'm no mechanic Rick... used to be an elctronics/system guy on missiles, but that was in another life.
It did not happen all of a sudden, started out just occassionally revving up for a few seconds, then back to idle (in neutral) gradually and steadily got worse over a couple a months.
Hope this gives you more to go on, and thanks a million for your help.
Think i'm gonna love this board for this and a lot of other reasons.
Kevin
Got my boat back...all better. Turns out the diaphragm in the tracker valve had a tiny hole in it. Under pressure, the hole would expand and allow fuel in the air, or at least would not compensate for the 15 psi differential between air and fuel.
The mechanic took off all of the injector connectors at the same time, and the engine would still run!
Les at Valley Marine in Lancaster was diligent and relentless in his pursuit, and finally found the problem. And he charged me better than a fair price.
Thanks for trying Rick, hope this helps someone else in the same situation.
Kevin
The mechanic took off all of the injector connectors at the same time, and the engine would still run!
Les at Valley Marine in Lancaster was diligent and relentless in his pursuit, and finally found the problem. And he charged me better than a fair price.
Thanks for trying Rick, hope this helps someone else in the same situation.
Kevin
Advertising
Copyright © 2013-2025 WesternBass.com ®