1989 Carver 3607 - A/C and generator

[Reel Therapy]

Hey All,

My name is Brian and I am the proud owner of a new to me, 1989 Carver 3607. It's an amazing vessel. I grew up watching this boat float past my house when I was young and I always wanted one. One day the clouds aligned and I bought one. It needs some TLC for sure.

The last owners didn't do much up keep and I have spent months cleaning it. Now for the big stuff. You never know until it's yours all the things that need to be fixed and/or replaced due to the boats age.

The first thing I noticed is the A/C (all three) just blows out hot air. Am I missing something? Do these units just need charging due to their age? Is there a magic switch or lever that I am missing? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

As well, I noticed that the generator isn't working properly either. The boat sat idle last summer and the generator was never turned on for about 3 years (I have been told). I am afraid to see what happens when I turn it on.

My boat neighbor told me that the fuel pump needs replacing (but that was with the old owner). I have also been told that Generators hate sitting dormant and that lots can go wrong if not used every so often.

Should I pop the switch and see what happens or should I have a professional look at it first? Where can I find such a professional to fix? My boat is in the Kingston, Ontario, Canada region. Thanks again in advance for any help and I hope to be able to help out when I can.

[Viper]

Welcome aboard Brian, and congrats on your 3607.

Source of the post.... the A/C (all three) just blows out hot air....Is there a magic switch or lever that I am missing?......

Maybe! Simple things first; there should be a breaker on the breaker panel for the AC water pump that needs to be turned on. If it's on, have a listen in the bilge, I think in front of the port engine, and make sure it's actually running. Next check to ensure there is water being discharged out the side of the hull, I think on your model, there should be 3 discharge outlets. If there's no water coming out and the pump is running, it could be as simple as the pump needing to be primed. If the pump isn't running, more diagnostics are needed as it could be the pump or control board. If the pump is working and there's water pumping out the discharge ports, it could be a problem with each unit; compressors, t-stats, low charge, dirty evaporator coils, obstructed air return intake screens on the evaporators or vents, etc. Can you tell if the compressors are actually running or is it just the fans running? Take a look at your ammeter on the breaker panel, if all three compressors are running, you should be drawing close to 30 amps if they're older/original units. If the meter indicates low amperage usage, chances are the compressors aren't running.

[Viper]

Source of the post....As well, I noticed that the generator isn't working properly either. The boat sat idle last summer and the generator was never turned on for about 3 years (I have been told). I am afraid to see what happens when I turn it on....

Again, simple things first; how much fuel is in the tank that the generator runs off of? The generator will not run on a tank with around 1/4 or less fuel as the pickup doesn't go as far into the tank as the engine ones do.

If you've determined there is enough fuel in the tank, it's a logical approach to determining what system is at fault. This usually falls into two main categories; fuel delivery or ignition. Is fuel getting to the carb? Are the spark plugs firing? Then go from there based on findings.

What happens when you try to run it? Give us as much information as you can, that will help us help you!

Is this an Onan MCCK? and what Spec?

And yes, they end up with more running issues when they're not used on a regular basis.

[RGrew176]

Welcome Aboard and listen to Viper he is one of our gurus here full of knowledge to share. Good luck with your 3607. Hope all goes well.

[km1125]

You've got some good responses on the A/C, I'd only add that you should find and clean the strainer for the system before you go too far in troubleshooting. That's a regular maintenance it's you'll have to do periodically anyways, so may as well get used to it!!

For these:

Source of the post....As well, I noticed that the generator isn't working properly either. The boat sat idle last summer and the generator was never turned on for about 3 years (I have been told). I am afraid to see what happens when I turn it on. ....

You should definitely replace the raw water impeller before you do anything. If it hasn't been used in that long, then the impeller is likely much older than that and has a really good (or bad) SET to it and will probably not last very long if it lasts at all. And it's MUCH easier to replace an impeller if the old one is still intact rather than one that's broken into a thousand pieces!! Get that done first, then check the oil and antifreeze (if so equipped). Check the battery and connections and see if you can start it. Once you get it running then you can worry about if it actually generates power. And, yes, generators DO 'hate' being not run, so once you get it going then use it anytime you get the chance.

Source of the post....My boat neighbor told me that the fuel pump needs replacing (but that was with the old owner). ....

You need to find out WHY he said that. The old-style mechanical pumps had two diaphragms. If one punctures there's a diagnostic port between them and fuel will come out that port. It's either capped off and that cap should be removed and checked for fuel periodically, or there's a hose connected to that port that runs up to the carburetor and it will dump any fuel into the carburetor if the diaphragm in the pump is bad. Either way that means the PUMP is bad and needs to be replaced. If you ever have problems with the fuel system (pumps, lines, filters, carburetors, etc), get them fixed right away and get them fixed CORRECTLY. It can be much more than just an inconvenience when something goes wrong with a fuel system.