Engine randomly turning off while idling, no problem starting back up.

[Giloron]

I finally picked up my first boat a few weeks ago and absolutely love her!She is a 2003 220 Sea Ray Bow Rider with 250 hours https://i.imgur.com/2SJqAfe.jpg

The engine is a 5.0L MPI MerCruiser 260 HP.

I drove around Lake Erie on a sea trial that day for an hour or two and didn't have any problems. I was told it would be good to fill it up with premium gas on the first tank just to break her in after being winterized (so I did).

I took it out again the next day on a lake by me and again I didn't notice any problems. I would cruise around the lake at high speeds for solid amount and then slow down and idle when I got where I was going.
The problem is the engine would randomly turn off while I was in idle. There would be no bad noises or anything, the engine would just turn off. All the electronics would stay on. And there was no problem starting it back up again.

I'm very happy with this boat so far and want to have a fun and minimal problem summer!

I've filled it up 3 times from close to empty with normal fuel since then and the problem persists.

All the researched I've found online has just been people speculating on the problem but no one ever posts if they fix it. I'd like to get a general idea of problems it could be so I can try and fix it myself if possible.

Thanks!

 

[Danfarry]

I had similar, check your battery terminals are nice and tight. Mine were loose when I checked after my engine cut whilst idling

 

[PCUK]

Is the idle speed too low allowing the engine to stall?

 

[Giloron]

The issue will sometimes happen when i'm going at no wake speed, but it has never happened while going any faster than that. If that helps at all.

 

[Giloron]

I will check it out! Wouldn't my electronics flicker if this were the issue, and would my engine also cut out at all speeds not just idle/ no wake?

 

[Giloron]

I called the marina I bought it from for their opinion and they said they are almost certain it sounds like an issue with the Idle Air Control Valve and said replacing that should clear up the issue. It sounds like it could fit my issue.

 

[Keith-i]

A friend of mine just yesterday had a similar problem with his outboard stalling at idle. Turned out a vacuum pipe had come off the intake manifold and was causing issues. The idle air valve could similarly be the culprit.

 

[mil1194]

IMHO if the terminals were loose then it wouldn't charge (the battery/ies) and it wouldn't restart either BUT definitely worth checking just in case.