Ski Boat Forum
General Category => General American Skier Discussions => Topic started by: ToddD on July 11, 2016, 08:51:46 PM
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Hi, Newbe here. I have a 1994 American Skier Volante with the 350 Mercruiser Magnum Tournament ski motor. The other day I noticed the bilge running quite a bit and when I lifted up the engine cover it appeared that water was coming out from behind the flywheel on the back of the engine. It would run fine up to 29-29 mph, bog down a bit but would only get up to about 34 mph. The engine seems to sound fine (no knocking), the thermostat is holding at a good temp and the oil is clean (not milky at all). Any thoughts on what this could be? and does anyone have a good mechanic in MN that could look at it? Thanks! :)
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Make sure it's not just the flywheel slinging water. Check to see if it still happens if the bilge is empty. If it is still coming out there it would have to be a freeze plug or cracked block.
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Thank you, I will do that. I appreciate the help.
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What did you find?
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2 things. Apparently it has a heater core that was cracked so they by passed that - Simple fix. But the exhaust was cracked so they needed to replace all of that. Put it back on the water last nigh - No water issues whatsoever now but I still can't get it above 33-34 mph. It goes strong up to there but tops out at that speed where last summer it got to about 45-46. I did not think to look at the RPM's...I wish I was more of a mechanic to be able to fix this type of stuff. Any suggestions for a weekend warrior? It is starting to get costly. :(
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Im not super mechanical but im not dumb with it either. I would guess we may need a bit more info on maybe how the motor sounds at the new top speed. Any surging or anything abnormal? Or is it just like you were to go 34mph on any normal boat but thats all it goes? Its kind of hard to say but I would rule out the prop. I would not think a prop that is not visibly destroyed would go down over 10mph.
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The motor seems steady and strong. Easy acceleration to pop up 2 skiers or slalom skiers without hesitation. I hit top speed with my son barefootin and he normally likes to go a bit faster and it was easy to get him to 32mph then it will inch up to max speed at 34 mph. Luckily he is only 94 lbs so it was able to stay up.
Anyone want to buy a 1994 Volante Tournament with only about 450 hours on it with new exhaust, impeller, starter, ignition, battery located in MN... :D
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Huh thats weird. That boat should go way faster.
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yeah, I agree. I'm not sure if it is a simple throttle adjustment, prop issue or something else. I called the shop that worked on it and unfortunately the mechanic who did the repairs is off until Monday so unless I get any other suggestions, I might have to wait until he is back and bring it back in. It pains me to have a nice boat on land, seems very unnatural! :)
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You should try on land with the boat off pushing the throttle all the way down. Then go to the carb and look at where the cable connects. See if the arm can go any farther. Im kind of thinking its a throttle cable or something simple issue.
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I will give that a try. Thank you very much!
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Last check of the website before I head out for a week of skiing myself. Are secondaries opening on the carb? they are vac. controlled and may just be stuck, or the vac. actuator is not working. Distributor not advancing usually backfires. Lack of fuel delivery, anti-siphon valve, lack of fuel pressure, blocked fuel filter will all cause low speeds. If you get too frustrated my son is looking to buy a Volante.
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Thanks Ron. I am kinda right on the bubble of frustration, it is a beautiful boat and I get a ton of compliments on it, people can't believe it is a 1994. It just seems like I am jinxed or something. :) If he is interested in seeing pics have him contact me. Enjoy the weekend!
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You don't mention if it's a carb or EFI. Could make a big difference in troubleshooting.
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Good question. How would someone not real mechanically inclined be able to tell?
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If you don't know what you have under the engine cover, I would suggest posting some pics of the engine.
Did the boat run OK before the slinging water episode?
I would suggest a tune up if you have no idea when one was done last.
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Good Morning,
I am bringing it back to Midwest Mastercraft to have them take a look and repair anything then I will be listing it. It is a great looking boat, I am just unlucky with it but it will be great for someone else. Let me know if anyone is interested in a 1994 Volante Tournament Skier with a 350 Magnum. Work that has been done to it is:
New Dripless Shaft Seal
New Impeller
New Plugs
New Flywheel
New Exhaust
New Starter
New ignition
New rims on the trailer
New Fulton fold away coupler
New Aerial Wakeboard tower with 2 racks, speakers and light (I may pull that and sell it separately as the kids decided they liked skiing, slalom and barefooting better then wakeboarding)
I've put over 3k in the boat the last 3 years. Plenty of receipts for the work done on it.
Thanks
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"I may pull that and sell it separately as the kids decided they liked skiing, slalom and barefooting better then wakeboarding"
Thats a relief. Too many going to wakeboarding
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I agree, it is more fun pulling them skiing and footing! :)
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I have a 94 TBX with that motor so im guessing its Throttle Body Injected like mine not carb
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This is the what it shows on top of the motor. I don't have any other pics at this time but I will get some and post them soon. It did have tune up a year ago with new plugs put in at a local dealer.
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Looks just like mine so guessing its the same. Take that nut off the top of that and slide it off and take a pic you will know then.
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will do, thank you.
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If you get a pic of the outside we can tell also but if you lift that flame arrestor you will see injectors if its not carb its a dead give away.
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Here are 2 pics I took. Hopefully this will help determine if it has a carb or FI.
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Thats a carb. Thats all I know about it haha. This can be good for you tho less electrics to troubleshoot.
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Are secondaries opening on the carb? they are vac. controlled and may just be stuck, or the vac. actuator is not working.
I would think this would be something to check out that ron said.
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Thanks for the information. I brought it into the shop yesterday and heading out of town for a few days. I'm hoping to have it back on Saturday working 100% and get the kids out on the water where they belong! :)
I'll keep you posted on what they find.
Great site - I appreciate all the help!
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Boat back and running great! Found out it was actually something pretty simple. I had a tune up last fall with all new plugs but found out the mechanic put in the wrong plugs which caused the lack of power so I had them do another complete tune up and took it out on the lake Sunday. Our son tried and did his first ever 2 ski jump out to barefoot and made it on his 2nd attempt and our daughter ran the slalom course like a champ! The boat ran great, was able to get it up to 44-46 without any hesitation.
Thanks again for all your help and input.
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maybe need a new mechanic thats pretty simple and something you can do yourself.
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I agree. Obviously won't be going back to the place that originally screwed it up.
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Great you figured it out and im guessing your keeping the boat now!!
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Honestly I do not know. It is kinda the thing where it is unlucky for me and will be a great boat for someone else. I might throw it on CL locally and see if I get any bites. My issue is I bought it for about 12.5k about 3 years ago and put over 3k into it. I know I can't get 15k for it but I would like to get close to my original 12.5k for it but I think that might be a stretch.
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Hate to say it but you may wanna consider keeping it.
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You may be right. I am upside down on it at this point. Book value has it around $10.8.
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Its a nice boat and now that it runs it would be good to have.
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I agree. My confidence is shot on it right now. I'm sure it will be much better as it get it back on the water more and enjoy it as it should be. Thanks for all your help!
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Good Morning,
Well, I am again in love with my American Skier and decided to keep it but with my kids doing 3 event skiing I think I need to install perfect pass. Any recommendations for a model of perfect pass that will easily fit into a 1995 American Skier Volante and can be installed at home? I've paid the mechanic enough this year.. :D
Thanks
Todd
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Perfect Pass Star Gazer is the only real choice you have, you need a mechanical connection at your carb or throttle body, the other newer brands only connect and control through the engine ECM - drive by wire. Get your best price out there & PM me I now have access to these, will have them on the site later this fall.
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Thanks Ron, I will get back with you later this week.