I am not getting any power in reverse? Forward seems bogged down.?

Question

I can put the boat in reverse but once I give it some gas the engine dies.Also in forward the boat does not to seem the same get up and go that it should have. It is a 260 V-8 21.6' 1986 century cabin cruiser. Trying to figure out if this is an expensive repair.

Answer 1

do you have a fuel/water sepperator, if you do change it and dont reuse thefilter  put a knew one on

check the vent on the fuel tank make sure its not clogged

also    this is a web site that i go to you will have to reg[its free] and there very helpful  go to the repair section its

www.wellcraftv20.com    they helped me out a bunch of times    but check those things that i mention first  and ofcourse  the spark plugs

Answer 2

The costs can depend on if you are capable (no offend!!) to do things your selve or have to have a boat repair guy to do it for you.

The problem as you described can be several things, you didn`t mention what type of drive you have, In/outdrive, V drive or inboard (straight) as this can determin some things.

(I am not familiar with Century boats but the drive lines are mostly the same set up as on other brands.)

Does the engine dies while shifting or when opening the throttle when it is already in reverse gear? If so this can be a lower shift cable item causing the interrupter switch to kill the engine while shifting the gears if it is a Mercruiser I/O set up.

Check the prop if it turns free! otherwise it sounds that there is a gasoline or ignition issue.

Have you tried cleaning the fuel/water sepparator/ filters, carb, plugs and checked the ignition timing and advance mechanisme?

Is it running on all 8 cylinders?

If the engine is running and shifting It sounds to me that this is an engine tuning thing and mosty does not have to be an expensive repair altough a boat can be a pit where you throw big $$ in.

Give some more info if possible.

Good luck!

Frank

Answer 3

Frank is on to something.  The shift cable mounted on the engine is bad cable.  It's hard to tell by looking, but the description fits.  This is a common repair and shouldn't be that expensive.  Say, a few hundred for parts and labor. This is not the same cable that runs to the control box.

Answer 4

From land vehicle V8 experience, I'd say check

spark plugs (burnt? gaps?

leads (cracked?

outlet air manifolds (loose? worn/leaky gasket?

Reverse being the lowest gear, it will put the biggest strain on the engine. It will stall if it is not burning the fuel poperly, whether from electrical problem or insufficient exhaust extraction.

Show the plugs to an expert, as their condition helps diagnose other internal probems in the cylinders (oiling, carbon build up etc). If this is light, an old-engine conditioner  additive made for cars might make a big improvement for around $40. Get a new air filter too, while you're in the parts shop anyway.