Hey guys. I just got a used 2002 Stingray with a 496HO in it a few weeks ago. I had the sputter and die issue, you letit cool down and it would start right back up.

I decided to buy a CPS and change it. I located it on the port cylinder and removed the bolt that holds it down. I can't seem to pull it out though. I've tried turning it in different positions, and pulling as hard as I can. I even ran a cable under it to try and get more leverage.... but the thing won't budge.

Is there some trick to removing it that I'm missing????

Eh nevermind, figured it out. In case someone else is looking at this....

Mine wouldn't come out because the rust was causing it to stick at the top of the sensor. I had tried twisting and pulling, but it wouldn't come out.

I used a screw driver to separate it a little at one side and then twisted up on it... and it popped right out.

I obviously know some of the issues with early 496 2001-2002 two o-ring crankshaft sensor failures but I have to ask how you know its the crankshaft sensor that's bad??
Since you just got this boat get yourself in the habit if you can of not just throwing parts at a problem when an engine acts up. Troubleshoot and find the problem, don't guess!
Get a scanner on the engine first and determine what is happening and if the engine checks good for fault codes then don't go changing parts as a solution. Look at fuel system problems and maintenance and possible electrical connector and plug issues before just making any parts WAGMAR.
WILD ASS GUESS MADE AT RANDOM!

Hope its simple and you get lucky with your guess!

Best Regards,
Ray @ Raylat

I didn't just guess. It did seem like a fuel issue perhaps. So I had already tried adding Stabil and running some Lucas through it since I knew the fuel was a little old. I also changed the water separating fuel filter and still no luck. Next I ran out the fuel and added new. Fuel wasn't the issue as far as I could tell. I checked over all the electrical connections, and they seemed solid too. The boat did do the Guardian thing when I test drove it... the drive oil res. was low and it stopped after I filled it up. Test run was fine after that and I thought the problem was gone.... nope. So I negotiated for the broker to pay the marina to run a scan and it came back clean. (I also had them do a compression check... 155psi on each within 5% on all).

3 weeks later I finally got to put it in the water. It would start fine, run okay (maybe a little sputtering at first starting, I assumed because of old gas). But after maybe 15-20 min of running it would start acting up... Guardian alarm would come on with a long beep.... then it started sputtering really bad and eventually back firing, then stalling, and then wouldn't even start. If I let her cool down for about 20 minutes or so ... well, she'd start right back up and run for another 15-20 minutes until it got hot again. Engine temps were constant at 160, gauge is good, engine not hot to the touch even... so it wasn't overheating. Oil pressure was good, fuel pressure was good (checked that). I don't have a scanner so it could have been the water pressure sensor.... maybe.

I recalled that I had a car that had the exact same issue and it ended up being the CPS. So I researched for a while online and learned it was a common problem on the 496HO. So what the heck... I decided to try changing it. I bought one from Rock Auto that was only like $56 (compared to $127 for a marine one that is exactly the same thing).

So I appreciate the advice and I agree typically.... but I didn't just randomly guess. I made a highly educated guess based on past experience, and forum research (love forums, save me a ton on car repairs... although they have a tendancy to have more do-it-your-self types I guess... and they write out very detailed instructions on how to do everything... with pics, part #'s, etc.).

Anyhow, that part shipped cost me just $56. Compare that to the price of a tow to get it to a marina, $100+ just for them to hook it up to a scanner, parts at a 30-40% premium (so the CPS sensor that was bad would have cost more like $165) = a total of at least $400-$500.

Too expensive for a do-it-yourself guy me thinks. I'd rather throw parts at it and buy them from a place I know I can return them if it's not the issue ya know. I should invest in a scanner... the portable ones don't show all the codes. I read that the CPS issue doesn't even typically register on a scanner anyhow.

Took her for a spin earlier btw... running like a champ. Maybe I just got lucky... or maybe the research paid off. Who knows... lol

This was a common problem with certain 8.1 L Vortec motors.
The symptoms you mention are the exact ones experienced by the CPS. It would have been a waste of time to go the direction of a fuel problem. I had the same problem with my 2001 8.1 Vortec and just replaced the CPS without code reading and took care of the issue and have never had the issue of stalling again and still have the truck to this day.

Now a days you can just "Google" the issue to diagnose many issues that once needed an expensive repair shop to fix. Just find the TSB or Recall to find your answer.

For me, this was a quick easy fix and only involved the cost of the CPS. Hundreds of dollars saved!!

Next boat get twins, that way you can just switch sensors engine to engine untill the problems follows.

Sorry Ray

Exactly. You can figure out most things yourself if you're handy with tools. And it's far cheaper throwing low cost parts at issues than it is to have a marine mechanic do it.

Haha... I think 72mph, and the 33gph that one of these engines burns at WOT is enough for me! I would love to get a bigger boat someday though. Maybe a 30'+ Baja... loved the one I had years ago.

What is the top speed on your Stingray with the HO motor?

Thanks

When I test drove it the speedo said 76mph... the GPS program on my phone said 72mph. It has a 25 pitch, 3 blade prop on it currently (terrible out of the hole though).