One of our customers (names omitted to protect the innocent) brought their boat in this week.
About 8-10 months ago, we'd found a pesky problem's cause, replaced his powerhead, and after talking with him later... it was again performing well. One of our techs even saw him out on the water a couple times, and talked with him. All was great....
Fast-Forward to Thursday. He called, said he was running down the lake, buzzer went off, engine died and won't restart. Told him to bring it in, and we'd check it out.
So he does.... and, as is the case with some "frustrated" owners, he proceeds to tell me about all his past woes, how the engine doesn't reach appropriate RPM's (like we can't confirm or deny that from the PCM's run history), and otherwise degrade his engine, his boat, us, and the engine manufacturer. All taken in stride... this happens (even I have been guilty of it).
Conversation closes out with comments that "I think I'm gonna beat this thing with a sledgehammer and go buy a SHO". Silent smiles.... comments just kept to ourselves.
Friday morning, we hook it up to the computer. Key on- warning horn sounding. Print the Run History (yep- you guessed it, it's been turning plenty of RPM's for the 50+ hours he's put on it since we last saw it). Matter of fact- the Freeze Frame (Fault) History shows it's been turning TOO MANY RPM's (he's been all over the limiter many, many times).
The kicker- most recent fault: WATER IN FUEL.
Pulled a sample.... no separation. Hmmmnnn.....
Added 1 cup of fuel to sample.... and it just sits atop the sample pulled from his boat (which "looks" like fuel, but sure don't smell like it). Guess what: His fuel system is FULL of STRAIGHT SWAMP WATER.
I just couldn't resist.... called him up and asked him: "Hey bud.... you mentioned you were interested in an SHO. Does it run on water too?"
Slightly different tune (and tone), now....
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