2016 242 Engine surging

[sapperfitz]

Hello,
I have a 2016 242 Limited S "E" with 25 hours on it. Two trips ago it developed a surging problem at idle and at around 4,000 RPM on the port engine. My top speed was also limited to 42 MPH. It seemed to me like something was stuck in my impeller, but I couldn't find anything there while I was out on the water. When I pulled the boat out of the water I found a small piece of wood wedged between the impeller and the vanes just aft. Problem solved (or so I thought). The next trip out I didn't have the idle surging, but did still have a surge at around 4,000 to 5,000 RPM but the engine would "jump" back to match the starboard engine (single lever on) at around 6,000. I suspected spark plugs but every plug looks brand new, no color at all, clean electrodes. I also pulled the jet pump and inspected the impeller and housing; everything still looks brand new except for a little surface rust on the impeller itself. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Fitz

 

[Michael H]

Hello,
I have a 2016 242 Limited S "E" with 25 hours on it. Two trips ago it developed a surging problem at idle and at around 4,000 RPM on the port engine. My top speed was also limited to 42 MPH. It seemed to me like something was stuck in my impeller, but I couldn't find anything there while I was out on the water. When I pulled the boat out of the water I found a small piece of wood wedged between the impeller and the vanes just aft. Problem solved (or so I thought). The next trip out I didn't have the idle surging, but did still have a surge at around 4,000 to 5,000 RPM but the engine would "jump" back to match the starboard engine (single lever on) at around 6,000. I suspected spark plugs but every plug looks brand new, no color at all, clean electrodes. I also pulled the jet pump and inspected the impeller and housing; everything still looks brand new except for a little surface rust on the impeller itself. Any ideas?
Thanks,
Fitz

I have an AR210 and have a similar problem, left engine only, except at numerous rpm. The biggest jump for me is at ~7000 rpm, jumping to 8000 rpm, otherwise I get smaller jumps, like from 3500 to 4000. Top speed with bimini down and two on the boat is also about 42 rpm. A friend of mine told me that replacing spark plugs fixes most problems. Another told me if that doesn't work that it could be the injectors and that a mechanic can hook a computer up to it and tell which injector it is. I haven't tried either yet, since I don't want to take the boat out of service to be worked on. I might try the plugs this weekend though, since that's easy.

 

[Matt Phillips]

I'd start with the spark plugs...as replacing them seems to settle out a whole matter to quirks. Depending on how many hours you have on them and how long it's been, that's definitely the first place to look. When you change those plugs, remember only finger tight and then 1/4 turn after that...no more.

 

[haknslash]

Be sure to check the gap of the plugs too.

 

[Don R]

Did you bring it in for your first service?
Possibly bad fuel?

 

[sapperfitz]

Finally got the boat out again. I did change the plugs on just the port engine. problem solved. It seems strange though, the plugs I pulled out were all still gapped correctly and looked brand new. The boat only had 25 hours on it. How long are spark plugs lasting for everyone else?

 

[cyclops]

Finally got the boat out again. I did change the plugs on just the port engine. problem solved. It seems strange though, the plugs I pulled out were all still gapped correctly and looked brand new. The boat only had 25 hours on it. How long are spark plugs lasting for everyone else?

Did you ever have this problem again?
I suspect defective plug ?

 

[sapperfitz]

Never had it again but I change the plugs every season.