catalinajack
Guru
Over many years reading topics here, I have observed a profound tendency for assuming and pursuing the worst of causes of problems rather than starting with the simple, the basics. We dive, myself included at times, deep into the complicated and expensive. Well, I succumbed to this tendency myself just two days ago. My reason for relating this story is to suggest to readers to please, start with the basics. Do not assume the worst.
My mechanical problem was with a vehicle, not on a boat but it doesn't matter in principle. My wife and I were 60 miles away from Everett, WA on a road trip from Maryland to visit our son (US Navy lifer). Just after summiting Steven's Pass on US 2, our Chevy Tahoe died. The day before it had become hard to start. We had to get it towed (AAA) 60 miles to a Chevy dealer. My guess the problem was oxygen sensors as the symptoms before it quit completely were consistent with failed sensors.
Well, today I got a call today from the dealer with good news. A $12 repair, a broken clamp which separated the air cleaner and Mass Air Flow Sensor from the engine intake. The engine computer was getting bad info from the MAF sensor and the engine died. Moral of the story? Start simple. Check the obvious, the apparent. I never even opened the hood. What abject stupidy! My only comfort is that, with a broken clamp, I may not have been able to effect a repair but I am probably kidding myself. I may have been able to rig something to get me going.
Anyway, start with the simple and work deeper later.
My mechanical problem was with a vehicle, not on a boat but it doesn't matter in principle. My wife and I were 60 miles away from Everett, WA on a road trip from Maryland to visit our son (US Navy lifer). Just after summiting Steven's Pass on US 2, our Chevy Tahoe died. The day before it had become hard to start. We had to get it towed (AAA) 60 miles to a Chevy dealer. My guess the problem was oxygen sensors as the symptoms before it quit completely were consistent with failed sensors.
Well, today I got a call today from the dealer with good news. A $12 repair, a broken clamp which separated the air cleaner and Mass Air Flow Sensor from the engine intake. The engine computer was getting bad info from the MAF sensor and the engine died. Moral of the story? Start simple. Check the obvious, the apparent. I never even opened the hood. What abject stupidy! My only comfort is that, with a broken clamp, I may not have been able to effect a repair but I am probably kidding myself. I may have been able to rig something to get me going.
Anyway, start with the simple and work deeper later.
