Serial Number 1B043996
The current symptoms: Water pressure lower than normal by a couple of pounds, can't quite trim motor up as high as I would like due to water pressure. Water temperature too low, around 85F at idle and 113 at WOT, via Smartcraft gauge. Engine cutting out at low rpm, once shifting into reverse gear from neutral and twice while in the forward gear at idle and bumping into the bottom (silted in creek entrances on the ohio).
The Saga: About a month ago, I fished the ohio and got some debris in the nose cone and likely other places. Water Pressure was lower than normal, but not horrible and I continued to fish, just not trimming up as much and kept a close eye on my Smartcraft. Seemingly unrelated, the diaphragm on the Air Fuel Regulator ( I think, its the top regulator shaped thing on the port fuel rail) failed, engine was dead in the water. While at the boat ramp investigating this issue, I also took the opportunity to inspect the thermostats. No debris found, the old gaskets were splitting and rotted. The water intake screen was also clear of debris. Only other weird thing was I found three 10mm bolt heads in the lower cowling. I did not see any obvious place for these to go. This was over memorial day weekend with all the shops closed, so I flushed the engine the best I could with earmuffs and a hose. I was able to knock some debris back into the nose cone and pick that out with tweezers. I hooked the hose up to the rear flush port and at first flow to the LU was poor, but something must have broken free and flow improved drastically. I was unable to locate the debris from the blockage so it may have remained in the LU. I thought that the WP issue was mostly fixed and now I just need and AFR diaphragm
I took it to an authorized Merc repair location and they replaced the AFR diaphragm, and found that my fuel pumps weren't outputting enough pressure and replaced those as well. They also put new gaskets in the thermostat housings for me.
I took it for its first drive on Sunday, and I have some new issues and an old one (see current symptoms above). I have reinspected the Thermostats, and they again look fine. I also checked the poppet valve and it was clear of debris but the rubber diaphragm was splitting. The only other weird thing I noticed was a missing zip tie (fancy rounded one) on the water line to the port fuel rail. Pic attached.
I have contacted the repair location but I wanted to get some second opinions on potential causes for the symptoms.
Thanks!
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Originally Posted by Savage
