3.2 Stroker's...Any problems yet ?

[fishnfireman]

I have had this big 300XS for almost a year now..with not so much as a hickup.


After owning several 2.5's Pro max's and even a 280 bass.. I was a little reluctant to go to a big block.... However I have nothing bad to say so far.

It has none of the tempromental issues that the old hot rod mtrs had.
It starts on the key everytime...it never dies when you put it in gear. it has never fouled a plug..it does not smoke so bad that your trying to manuver the boat out of the cloud at start up.
I would like a little more exhaust growl. The guys say it sounds great when running down the lake... But I kinda miss the old 280 -----head snap

Has anyone heard of any issues so far with the 3.2 ???

[Strokerdean]

Hi Mike, I have had mine since Feb 07, 151 hours. 2 issues I have been deeling with.
1. Coils shorting out and dropping a cylinder, after the second one they found a broken wire in the harness that connects the 6 coils. It was broke about 1/2" from the connector. The wire was still in the plug and looked like it was cut but the insulation was perfect.

2. This happened last weekend, lost trim in the up position, took it to the shop and it worked, removed the cowl and checked for loose wires, found nothing wrong. Went out the next day for some prop testing, worked fine until I put it in the garage and went to trim up and remove a prop, no trim, removed the cowl and found nothing obvious. All 4 switches work and I can feel and hear the relays woking. Left it in the lake house garage to deal with next weekend.

Don, if/when you read this I would like your input on what/how to check, the tech I use may be out of pocket for a couple of weeks. I just hate not being able to run the boat especially after the month of dealing with the coil problem.

[EuropeanAM]

Dean:

Have heard of a COUPLE of coil harness issues, on 3 Liter HP Opti's. Glad that one's fixed- it is, right?

As far as the trim, you could have a relay issue, battery cable connection issue, or a trim motor headed south. Easiest way to check is to follow the wires up from the trim motor into the cowling. They disconnect with "bullet connectors". Check for voltage on those two wires when the switch is operated. One direction provides 12VDC+, the other direction provides 12VDC- (it's a polarity reversing system).

No voltage- look at the relays and connections for/on the relay harness, or battery cable connection issues.

Have voltage... you may have a trim motor going "south".

[Strokerdean]

Don, thanks for the info, I have checked the bullet connectors on the wires coming from the trim motor (twice, Sat & Sun), the problem occured both days. I also have checked the battery connection making sure the large cables are on the bottom and lock nuts are tight. I will check the voltage this weekend and advise.
Thanks

[EuropeanAM]

If you get to the point that you suspect it's the trim motor, you can "confirm it" by supply 12V+ to one of the wires, and 12- to the other (it should run).

Reverse polarity to go "the other way". That's all the relay pack is doing.

[Strokerdean]

Forgot to answer the question about the harness, the motor ran flawlessly Fri, Sat and Sun except for the trim problem that occured on the trailer. I put about 100 miles on it taking friends for rides and prop testing.

[EuropeanAM]

on the harness.

[Maxpress]

If it's the trim motor going south, for a temporary solution to get it trimmed to where you can trailer it you can lightly tap the trim motor with something (I use my pocket knife) while pushing the trim button to get it unstuck and operating again...for a little while till it sticks again.

[Strokerdean]

Isn't there a pressure reliefe fitting that can be loosened to manually move the motor? My manual is in the boat so I am unable to look it up until Fri or Sat, depends on if I leave early.

[PATRO]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Strokerdean &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Isn't there a pressure reliefe fitting that can be loosened to manually move the motor? </TD></TR></TABLE>

You got it....

[JAZII]

Yes there is, but it's awful cold when you have to stand in water over your personal thermometer to operate the relief valve to pull boat up the ramp!

JAZII

[Strokerdean]

Trim motor is bad, power out of the relays, touch the trim motor leads to hot wire at the sylonide and the other to ground and nothing. Took it to the shop and a new trim motor will be ordered. Hopefully this will end my current problems and I will be ready for the fishing season in March. Don thanks again for the info on how to check the system.

[EuropeanAM]

[fishnfireman]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by Strokerdean &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
I will be ready for the fishing season in March. Don thanks again for the info on how to check the system.</TD></TR></TABLE>

Dean,

I hope that fixes your ill's --A dang electrical gremlin can make you loose your temper.

No need to wait till march...
Load up and go to Amistad this winter..

several of my Sun Country Bass Association buds are from your neck of the woods. There always headed to Amistad.

Are you the guy i bought my Pro ET from ??

[Strokerdean]

Mike, no I'm not the one. I havent put the boat away for the winter, I usually run and fish all year, just want the problems cleared up by the tournament season. I do plan on coming to Amistad just not sure when. If you ever get out this way let me know, it's allways nice to put a face with a name.

[fishnfireman]

i understand..
xcept if yr like me it will run fine UNTIL tournament season.

[Strokerdean]

The new trim motor and been installed. Coils are working fine since the replacement of the wireing harness, 156 hours now on the motor and all is well again. I had a friend comment about the odor of the gas when I passed him, does Sea Foam and or Stabill make the exhaust odor have a odd smell. His question was what am I running in the gas?

[JAZII]

Stabil makes a funny odor.
Have you ever steamed hard shell crabs with Old Bay? That's what the odor reminds my friends and me of. My friends and I joke about this all the time when running Stabil heavy before winter storage.
MMmmm, STEAMED CRABS!
JAZII