Vindicator took a dump on me yesterday

[MGBrad84]

Hoping for some help here guys.

i was coming across the lake yesterday about 11 miles from the ramp, running about 5400 rpms. it felt like the i just lost forward momentum, took my foot off the gas, and i heard the motor spit once or twice, and i shut it off. i could not get it to start back up. when i took off yesterday morning the motor felt like it was bogging down and it took a few to get it on plane.

the motor is a 98' Vindicator E200STLECE(G 04479216). I was fishing a tournament week before last when i notice something wasn't quit right. i went into a cove after a short run, the hot foot didn't release all the way, im guessing i was turning about 1200 rpms, and i dropped it out of gear, it sounded like the gears in the lower unit got jammed, i put it back it gear, pulled up on the hot foot, rpms dropped to 800, and i cut the key off. i fished for about an hour, i started the motor back up, and something didn't sound right then. i idled along for a min, shut it down, pulled the cover off the motor, everything looked ok. fired the motor up, sounded fine that time, i made a run up the lake about 2 miles, was going through a s curve in the lake, and it felt like the prop was slipping. it did this twice. the rest of the day it ran fine. later in the week i checked the compression, everything was even on all cylinders. checked the lower unit magnet, nothing major, just a few fine fine shavings. took it out yesterday, and that's when it all went bad. any help would be great!

[ChampioNman]

What are the results of the compression test? Is there any type of knocking sound? This could be a LU issue or a power head issue. Remove your carb bowl drain plugs and check them if they are smooth order the new style plugs. Also take a #2 screw driver and make sure the high speed orifices are fully seated in the carb bowls. As a safe guard remove the #2 & 4 hs orifices and compare the number stamped on the side it should be XXD where the XX= a number. If they are both the same number then also order a HS orifice two sizes larger for the #2 carb. This will keep the #2 piston cooler and possibly preventing loosing a piston locator pin. The new style drain plugs keep the orifices seated fully from backing out. I'd like to see the results of the comp test though.

[MGBrad84]

i havent done a compression test yet. i hope to do that this afternoon. as soon as i get the results, i will post them. thanks champ!

[ChampioNman]

10-4.

[Bassmeister]

Praying it isn't a locator pin Matt.

[MGBrad84]

Do you think this could have anything to do with the stator?

[MGBrad84]

im taking it a mechanic in the morning, i checked to see if i was getting a spark to the plugs tonight, and i wasn't, so it sounds like its electrical. i'll keep ya posted

[Bassmeister]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by MGBrad84 &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Do you think this could have anything to do with the stator?</TD></TR></TABLE>
If magnets in the flywheel are coming loose and striking the stator......yes.
Hopefully it's electrical, It certainly is cheaper than a ph.

[MGBrad84]

well here it is....the flywheel and the stator have to be replaced. the compression checked as followed, #1 125, #2 125, #3 125, #4 115, #5 130, #6 110. the #6 kinda worries me, but the mechanic said that it could be carbon built up on the rings, and i could run some engine restore and that might fix the compression.

[Bassmeister]

That ain't cheap, but less than a ph. When ya get her back decarb her with BRP engine tuner, then check #6 again.

[MGBrad84]

well im getting a "hook up" on the parts. I have an uncle that has been working on boat motors since the 80's and hes gonna help me with the install. the mechanic quoted me a price of $1900 for parts and labor....

[Bassmeister]

I'll remember to ask you to hook me up when I need parts!!! Good luck, 'em flywheels are high $$$

[MGBrad84]

Wellllllll.....heres what it is. after fooling aroung with new parts saturday afternoon, something still wasnt right. My uncle took it too his brothers shop yesterday morning and i recieved a phone call around lunch time. the bearing in the top of the crank shaft was about to go bye bye. he said it had so much play in it, he didnt know why it hadnt thrown a rod. so this is where i am now.... i guess i got lucky, he knew a guy that was selling a 2005 225 H.O. Etec near smith mountain lake. they checked the motor over today with the computer diagnostic and everything checked out. so with in the next day or 2, i hope be ready to roll. any prop recommendations for this motor on a Sprint 207 Pro?

[ChampioNman]

Drive it like you stole it!! But if it was me I would have replaced the main if all the comp and wear looked good.

[Bassmeister]

Try a 28 Raker, @ WOT and see if you can hit 57-5800 rpms, even 5600 would be ok if ya git outta tha hole and have the right speeds @ wot.Remember, you want to do this when you're loaded normally. I'm curious as to why you aren't just replacing the crank bearing also.... I know, a good reason to get an ETEC!!! Good luck either way bud.