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TYPE OF VESSEL: 1987 FOUR WINNS 245 VISTA HID: 4WNNY005F787


YEAR OF MANUF: 1987


Can you please help?

I own the above 1987 245 Vista. When I bought the boat it had a 454 big block Mercruiser with an Alpha Drive. I experienced a problem whereby the engine would simply cut without warning and refused to start for a period of up to 15 – 20 minutes. It would then run happily for maybe an hour or sometimes less. I have now changed the entire configuration to a modern 5.7 ltr MPI with efi and a Volvo sterndrive. I have not changed the electrical wiring at all and I am experiencing the same problems. The engine will run fine for a period and then suddenly stop. Just as before it will start after a short rest and then run for another short period. We have checked and re-checked the fuel system and we are convinced that there is no fuel problem. It seems to be electrical but we just can’t trace the fault. I have unplugged cleaned and reinserted the big round plug carrying the electrical harness connections to the engine. Everything seems fine there.

Can you suggest a possible cause?
Thank you

Patrick

Sounds like a breaker is faulty. Did you change the breaker on the riser to a new one? I think you need to expose the motor and take her for a run then when she quits start checking voltage from the battery switch throughout the system until you find the "break". I would run through this once or twice while the boat runs so you know what to expect. I'm willing to bet it is either an ignition relay, fuel pump relay or a breaker.

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Marc, Kathlin & Nathalie


'89 Chaparral Laser 32

'93 Vista 245, 5.8L w/ King Cobra

Former Boats
'01 H260, 7.4 VP Duoprop
'98 H200, 5.0 GL w/VP SX drive

Next time perform the basic diagnostic procedures
1-will the engine crank
2-is the carb pumping fuel
Not pumping fuel, you could have a vapor lock problem, make sure your fuel lines are not routed too close to the manifolds
3-do you have spark
No spark, make sure the ignition system is getting power. Is there a breaker that could be heating up and going open, is the coil heating up and going open, is the ignition module heating up and going open

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2000 268 Vista "Reely Nauti"
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