www.iFourWinns.com

Hi all. I am closing up the boat this weekend and have a blast with the "new to me 348". Since it was a 2002 I decided that I am going to do some work on the boat over the winter. Found a inside heated storage place that I can access anytime, which I am very happy with. Over the last month or so, I am noticing that my port engine is only running about 125 degrees and it finally goes up to 170 after about 15 minutes of ideling. My Starbd engine gets to 170 in about 5 minutes. I am also noticing that the gas tank on the port engine is using about 1/4 more fuel than the starbd. It seems as if this engine is running harder than the other and I feel something is just not right. Any suggestions?
Thanks!

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2002 348 Vista

One thing of note...are you running your generator much? If so, that is probably why your port tank is going down faster. I know on my 298, the fuel supply for the generator comes from the port tank.

With regard to engine temps...it seems to me that it could be a stuck thermostat...?

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

No i hardly run my genset. If i did, i beleive it runs off the starboard side of the gas tanks. When I do run the boat, I do make sure that I am running at the same RPM and both engines are syncd. When that happens, my throttles are really not lines up, my port engine always is a little more forward than the other.

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2002 348 Vista

Also if it was a stuck thermostat, why would it eventually some up to 170 after 10 minutes more than the other engine? On the water running, the temp seems fine, its just when I initially start it.

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2002 348 Vista

My throtles are not spot on either. What I do is follow the tachometers, not the synch gauge. Do a little research to confirm which tank your generator pulls from. Of course, it could be a bad gauge or a bad sender/stuck sender?

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Current Boat:
2004 Sea Ray 320 Sundancer "Nauti Luvin'"

Previous Boats:
1999 298 Vista "Seas The Day"
2008 H200SS "Nauti Luv"
2006 Tahoe Q4

Ya I follow the tachs as well, when I do the sync engines are spot on usually. I will look into the tank my genset pulls from. I probbaly havent even ran it an hour this summer though. It would take up that much gas though. Well I hope not! lol
I will check the sender this weekend. The gas thing is bothering me though.

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2002 348 Vista

On a car, if the engine is cold the computer runs a richer mixture sort of like a choke. I would think boats would be set up the same way. If the coolant is slow to warm up, it might be burning more fuel becuase it is running richer. However, it it finally does warm up it shouldn't be running rich all the time.

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Terry
Current: 07 Crownline 255 CCR cuddy - 350 Mag MPI/B3 "Casi Cielo"

Previous:97 245 Sundowner 5.7GI/SX

Tow vehicle: 1986 GMC 2500 Camper Special 454/TH400

As for your fuel issue, you should have 3 fuel shutoff valves, 1 for each engine and a cross feed. If you have all 3 of them open you might want to try closing the middle (cross feed) valve so the port only pulls from port tank and stbd from stbd. I had the same problem with mine when I first got it and closing the cross feed made them draw equally

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Bridgewater, PA
2008 Vista 318

I have exactly this same problem, although unfortunately I haven't found the solution. I put it away this way and will figure it out in the spring. I've changed the thermostat, thinking it was stuck open and it didn't fix the problem. As I idle out of the marina, both my engines will get to operating temp (165-170), when I get to cruising speed the port engine drops to 135-140 and stays there, starboard stays where it should (165). Again, idle into marina, both engines back to 165.
I've also verified with the IR gun that the gauge is reasonably accurate.

I'd be curious to see if I remove the thermostat, will the port engine still get up to 165 at idle? I have a feeling it will, since the cooling water will be flowing slower. I don't know how it's possible, but maybe my new thermostat is also stuck open, or maybe I installed it wrong? Pretty hard to screw it up though.

If you ever figure this out please let us know! I'll do the same, but it wont be till spring.

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

I will let you know what I find out. I probably won't be able to do anything till the spring either the way it looks. The boat is coming out on Monday, not sure how much time I have to look at it this weekend. I will figure this out though! Thanks for all the suggestions. I will let you know.

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2002 348 Vista

UPDATE:

As promised i would give you a update on why i thought I was having problems with my port engine. As previously reported I felt something wasnt right with my engine and felt it was just running harder than the other one. Well low and behold when I changed the oil in the port engine, the oil was very murky. To make a long story short my manifolds and risers are shot on both engines and I blew a head gasket in my port engine. My mechanic has removed the head and sending it out to get fixed. Luckily no other damage has been done to the engine. As you know I bought the boat in the middle of the summer and even though i have had to do some serious fixing of the boat (read other posts), I still think I got a great deal. While the boat is in storage, I am doing a lot of things to the engines. Replace riser and manifolds, full tune up, adding autopilot, replacing thermostats, tranny coolers and belts.
Starting on the electronics the beginning of the year and will give you some updates with pictures as I make the progression. Thanks again for all your help everyone.

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2002 348 Vista

for the record you should run with the crossflow valve in the off position, let each engine draw from its own tank.

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Brian Borchik
The Winds of Cold Springs Harbor Marina
Baldwinsville, NY

Borchik- that is exactly what I am doing. I don't think there is any need to otherwise do that unless one tank is lower than the other one and you need fuel from that one. When I fill up with gas, I always fill up both tanks. Thanks for the info!

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2002 348 Vista

Thanks for the update, sorry to hear about the issues - I sure hope that's not my problem! I will keep that in mind though, the mechanic didn't mention that there were any issues with my oil when he changed it before putting it away, so I'll keep my fingers crossed.

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1969 Chris Craft Commander 47
1999 Four Winns 328 Vista - SOLD

Weather,
Just make sure you have the mechanic check the manifolds and risers if he hasn't already. Even though there may not be water in the engine like I had, your engine will run harder and burn more gas if you have a partially clogged riser or manifold. Mine looked perfect on the outside, but once opened up, you wouldn't believe how clogged and rotted they can get. If imwas to run the engine any longer than I did, I would probably have cracked the block. Might want to check it out. Not sure if it is your problem, but doesn't hurt to check it out.
Best of luck
Chris

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2002 348 Vista