HELP!!! My dads 01 triton bass boat

[mydadlovesfishing]

Ok my dad took his 19.5 triton bass boat into the shop cause when he was at the lake he would take off an the boat wouldnt plane out. So they told him they found a cut line and replaced it and did a tune up. Gets it back and still does the same thing. So he takes it back to the place and they just called him an told him his computer was bad and that they have seen this many of times. To replace the computer its 1400 and to have it repaired its 800. So to try and save my dad some time and money i would like to see if you guys have ever heard of this? I read a post a few seconds ago about some guy having the same problem and it was a cross threaded plug. Any help would be great. Thanks.

[Creel Limit Zero]

Did they hook it up to the Dyno?  What would they be "repairing" 

What kind of motor are you running?

[mydadlovesfishing]

they told him the computer was commanding the injectors to give to much fuel. Im not sure about the dyno deal or motor. Its the factory motor that came on the boat i know that. they also told him that they have seen it before that the circuit board burns out and they repair it.

[Creel Limit Zero]

well couldn't you just replace the circuit board and be good?  The on board computer for an EFI calibrates the fuel/air mixture and injects it right in.  It could very well be that.  If they hook it up to the dyno, it will put a full load on the outboard like it was on the water.  They usually can get some good diagnostic read outs if something else is going on, instead of guessing the fuel mixture is not right.  Just saying, that's a lot of money not to try some other things first.  You might want to call Mercury or Johnson or whoever makes the motor and ask them about the on board computer and if there is a way to just replace a burned out circuit board...

[mydadlovesfishing]

yea me too. i dont even know if they have a dyno. to replace the on board computer its 1400. but if the board was burnt it wouldnt do it every so often right? Cause my dad says it doesnt do it all the time but it had been getting worse.

[Creel Limit Zero]

when idling, do you see traces of fuel or oil in the water where the engine is spitting out the water?  This is generally a sign that it is running too rich. 

Does it seem to happen when he is getting low on fuel.  As, in the morning on a full tank it runs well, but towards the end of the day it keeps happening more often and worse?  If that's the case, my guess is you have some bad fuel in your tank.  Maybe some water, maybe some old fuel with ethanol build up.  Just a thought.  It seems like if it was running too rich from a bad on board computer, it would probably always do that...

[tsmith35]

What's the make/model/HP of the motor?

[mydadlovesfishing]

i believe its a merc but dont know the model or hp. Its whatever came factory on a 01 triton 19.5

[Creel Limit Zero]

Well you really need to find out make, model, and HP.  I'm assuming it is an EFI based on the comments you described the marina said.  I suggest you find out if they hooked it up to a Dyno, if not, you should really find someone in your area that can.  They should be able to run a full diagnostics and make an educated decision for around $50, instead of guessing.  This Marina you are going to has already guessed once and was wrong, don't spend another $1400 and find out that was not the problem.  Then after that comes back and they tell you it is a bad on board computer, you can feel more comfortable that is what it is.  I'd also call up the manufacturer and talk to tech support there and describe your issue and what they think it is.  I did a search online, and the ECU for a Merc EFI for 150 HP - 200 HP is around $1400, so that is accurate, but retail price.  The Marina should be able to get it for lower.  If he does have a Merc, call up Mercury and ask them about the Engine Control Unit.  See if that is what could cause the problem.  See if you can buy individual parts for the ECU, instead of buying a whole replacement.  Maybe it is not that, maybe the guys don't know what they are talking about, and hooking it up to a Dyno might give a total different answer and be much cheaper...