Moisture in distributor

[shuswap_kids]

We had an incident on our new 09 Wakesetter VLX where moisture got into the distributor cap. Dealership told us had one other such instance and happened with similar circumstance. Had not put over cover on boat that was moored out front on the lake. Had a thunderstorm come through the night before which rained on the boat for about 1/2. Next day after running the boat for about hour motor started running very rough. HAd to paddle in and take to dealership. No codes appeared on the Maliview or on the computer when the mechanic hooked up to it.

The mechanic then said he remember another case on a Malibu with similar symptoms where water had gotten into the distributor. He went to work pulling the cap off the distributor which is no easy task as the Ski / Tube poll has to be removed along with other attachments. He found that there was evidence of water on the distributor, dried it all out and put the boat back together. He started it and the boat ran great.

They suggested that water pooled up in the ski / tube poll and then ran through onto the distributor cap which is located directly below this and suggest that the cover should be on at night if it may rain to avoid this.

Anybody else had this type off problem and does this should plausable as a cause? Any solutions?

Thank Brent

[Ndawg12]

We had an incident on our new 09 Wakesetter VLX where moisture got into the distributor cap. Dealership told us had one other such instance and happened with similar circumstance. Had not put over cover on boat that was moored out front on the lake. Had a thunderstorm come through the night before which rained on the boat for about 1/2. Next day after running the boat for about hour motor started running very rough. HAd to paddle in and take to dealership. No codes appeared on the Maliview or on the computer when the mechanic hooked up to it.

The mechanic then said he remember another case on a Malibu with similar symptoms where water had gotten into the distributor. He went to work pulling the cap off the distributor which is no easy task as the Ski / Tube poll has to be removed along with other attachments. He found that there was evidence of water on the distributor, dried it all out and put the boat back together. He started it and the boat ran great.

They suggested that water pooled up in the ski / tube poll and then ran through onto the distributor cap which is located directly below this and suggest that the cover should be on at night if it may rain to avoid this.

Anybody else had this type off problem and does this should plausable as a cause? Any solutions?

Thank Brent

That sounds like a very serious engineering flaw and I doubt that's the case but I've been wrong once before!

[chadwick02]

isnt that a prime area where people drip when they get out of the water? Doesnt sound right to me. Its a boat - it should be able to get wet (at least with the hatches closed).

[Baddog]

Direct drive will cure that, I guarantee it.

[NorCaliBu]

On my LandCruiser (FJ-40) I use a piece of MTB inner tube to seal the distributor. Cut about a 3-4" section of inner tube, remove the distributor cap, put inner tube over the distributor base and reinstall the cap. Work the section of inner tube over the distributor so that it cover the seam between the distributor and the cap.

I actually get mine in place then turn down the upper edge of the tube and put a thin skin of silicone sealant all the way around the cap then unroll the tube back onto the silicone. I've done water crossing where the hood went completely under and the distributor stayed dry.

[martinarcher]

On my LandCruiser (FJ-40) I use a piece of MTB inner tube to seal the distributor. Cut about a 3-4" section of inner tube, remove the distributor cap, put inner tube over the distributor base and reinstall the cap. Work the section of inner tube over the distributor so that it cover the seam between the distributor and the cap.

I actually get mine in place then turn down the upper edge of the tube and put a thin skin of silicone sealant all the way around the cap then unroll the tube back onto the silicone. I've done water crossing where the hood went completely under and the distributor stayed dry.

That sounds like a blast! Great way to keep the distributor dry too! Good work!

[skier92]

Direct drive will cure that, I guarantee it.

Yup!

[playhard]

Direct drive will cure that, I guarantee it.

You seem to answer alot of questions pertaining to Malibu boats. I have a 2001 Sunsetter, just recently purchased it, 109 hour in great shape, I have taken it out three times. The last time i took it out i was pulling my wife at 27 mph and the engine died, i could not get it to start again and had to be pulled in. I was pissed, i have had three Malibu's before this boat, but this was my first Fuel Injected and i have never been left on the lake dead. I took it to my mechanic and he told me that my Electroni Ignition Module had failed, he alos checked my fuel system, replace my filter, checked the pressure and everything was great. I went out today after i got the boat back and hit 2700 RPMs and the engine died. I was able to get the boat started again and idled back to the dock. I sat at the dock and reved the engine to 2700 rpm three times and three times it died. Do you have any idea what could be the problem or have you seen any other posts where members have had this problem before. This boat only has 109 hours, the previous owner used it to get back and forth to their lake house, no skiing, they were older with no kids. I am shocked that i am already having problems. Any suggestion would help. thanks

[Baddog]

Direct drive will cure that, I guarantee it.

You seem to answer alot of questions pertaining to Malibu boats. I have a 2001 Sunsetter, just recently purchased it, 109 hour in great shape, I have taken it out three times. The last time i took it out i was pulling my wife at 27 mph and the engine died, i could not get it to start again and had to be pulled in. I was pissed, i have had three Malibu's before this boat, but this was my first Fuel Injected and i have never been left on the lake dead. I took it to my mechanic and he told me that my Electroni Ignition Module had failed, he alos checked my fuel system, replace my filter, checked the pressure and everything was great. I went out today after i got the boat back and hit 2700 RPMs and the engine died. I was able to get the boat started again and idled back to the dock. I sat at the dock and reved the engine to 2700 rpm three times and three times it died. Do you have any idea what could be the problem or have you seen any other posts where members have had this problem before. This boat only has 109 hours, the previous owner used it to get back and forth to their lake house, no skiing, they were older with no kids. I am shocked that i am already having problems. Any suggestion would help. thanks

There are many on here with way more knlowedge than me, but here are some of the things to look at. So many things it could be. Did the mechanic change both fuel filters? There's a hidden one. Clean the input side of the fuel pump? Cap and rotor clean? New plugs? Plug wires? Cannon plugs? Fuel pressure when at speed? ECM? How much fuel in your tank when it dies? Could be a pickup problem in the tank. Will the mechanic go on the boat with you to experience the problem at speed?

Edited September 22, 2009 by Baddog