quinsky
Well-known member
- Joined
- Jul 25, 2017
- Messages
- 161
- Fluid Motion Model
- R-21 EC
- Hull Identification Number
- FMLC2813H
- Vessel Name
- Compass Rose
- MMSI Number
- 338302374
After attending a great RT/CW rendezvous in Punta Gorda, we set out for a two week cruise. We spent a coupe of nights on the hook at Cayo Costa. On the second morning when I went to start the MASE 2.7 generator it would shut off after 30sec. It displayed an E-81 code. Of course I had to dig out the manual to find out what that meant- Low oil pressure. OK, I can deal with that- just check the oil level and add a little. Well this is a boat so nothing is that simple. The oil level was fine. That was about the extent of my troubleshooting abilities so I called "Joe" at MASE. What a great guy! He led me through some more troubleshooting and determined it was probably the oil pressure sensor. We were headed to Sanibel Island so he would ship a new one there the next day.
About 1530 on Thursday the new sensor arrived. It took me two and a half hrs to install it. As most of you know the generator is not very accessible. Accessing the sensor requires the removal of two hoses and many curse words uttered. A little blood also helps. Anyway, I got it installed and low and behold... It still shut off after 30 sec with the same code. It was too late to call Joe so we had a very depressing night at Sanibel Marina.
First thing Friday morning I spoke with Joe again and he said it was time time to bring in a mechanic. He would have his office assistant, Josephine, find one nearby. I also made a few calls to mechanics in Fort Myers. That all said they would get back with me to give me a date they could work on it. So do we continue on our cruise sans generator, or spend the next week in Fort Myers getting it fixed? We opted to get it repaired here because there is not a good generator mechanic within 100 mi of our home.
While waiting to hear from the mechanics I decided to try one more thing. A couple of months ago I got up the nerve to change the oil screen which nearly broke my love for boats. Maybe I didn't put the new one in correctly. I girded my loins (whatever that means) and got back on my knees to take that little SOB apart again. When I removed the screen it was a EUREKA! moment...it was bent! Fortunately I had cleaned and saved the original screen and had it on the boat! Cathy and I were both giddy with excitement. With surgeon-like precision I inserted the screen and got everything put back together. I gave Cathy the go ahead to crank her up. As usual it fired right up and we started counting the seconds. 28,29,30,31,32... could it be?? YES!! It continued to run! We danced with joy and I pounded my chest in a manly fashion. Our emotions went from wanting to sell the boat to we love this boat.
So the moral of this story is, Be real careful replacing the oil screen. Or have a mechanic on board at all times.
We are ending up our cruise in a couple of days and are already planning our next one to the Chesapeake Bay. And a shout out to all the great Tug Nuts we've met along the way.
About 1530 on Thursday the new sensor arrived. It took me two and a half hrs to install it. As most of you know the generator is not very accessible. Accessing the sensor requires the removal of two hoses and many curse words uttered. A little blood also helps. Anyway, I got it installed and low and behold... It still shut off after 30 sec with the same code. It was too late to call Joe so we had a very depressing night at Sanibel Marina.
First thing Friday morning I spoke with Joe again and he said it was time time to bring in a mechanic. He would have his office assistant, Josephine, find one nearby. I also made a few calls to mechanics in Fort Myers. That all said they would get back with me to give me a date they could work on it. So do we continue on our cruise sans generator, or spend the next week in Fort Myers getting it fixed? We opted to get it repaired here because there is not a good generator mechanic within 100 mi of our home.
While waiting to hear from the mechanics I decided to try one more thing. A couple of months ago I got up the nerve to change the oil screen which nearly broke my love for boats. Maybe I didn't put the new one in correctly. I girded my loins (whatever that means) and got back on my knees to take that little SOB apart again. When I removed the screen it was a EUREKA! moment...it was bent! Fortunately I had cleaned and saved the original screen and had it on the boat! Cathy and I were both giddy with excitement. With surgeon-like precision I inserted the screen and got everything put back together. I gave Cathy the go ahead to crank her up. As usual it fired right up and we started counting the seconds. 28,29,30,31,32... could it be?? YES!! It continued to run! We danced with joy and I pounded my chest in a manly fashion. Our emotions went from wanting to sell the boat to we love this boat.
So the moral of this story is, Be real careful replacing the oil screen. Or have a mechanic on board at all times.
We are ending up our cruise in a couple of days and are already planning our next one to the Chesapeake Bay. And a shout out to all the great Tug Nuts we've met along the way.