Hi everyone first post. I have been buying stuff from iBoats for a while and lurking on the forum and with all your help this is the first time I couldn't find a solution with just searching the forums.
Here is the problem. I have a 1988 Baja Force 200 (I know I never heard of one either but that is what the data plate says) When I got it I changed the oil, gas/oil separator, flushed the stern drive and generally checked it out. It has a 5.7 with an Alpha One. I had to charge the battery but I figured that was just from sitting. It started right up on the muffs and sounded pretty good. I took it out on the water and it was sputtering and skipping trying to get up on plane. I looked at the amp meter and it was down to 10 volts. I tried to limp it back to the dock but ended up paddling. Luckily it was in a river and was with the current.
I checked the alternator and wiring and couldn't find anything wrong with the wiring so I ordered a new alternator. Installed it charged the battery and started it on the muffs. It was charging now (13.9 volts running) and sounded ok on the muffs. Took it out again and same issue. No power and skipping and sputtering. Changed plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and checked the timing. Still the same no power and sputtering/skipping so I decided must be fuel.
I checked the fuel filter in the carburetor and changed it but it looked ok. I checked the fuel pump output and it seemed ok but was pulsing with the engine and was really corroded. I took it off to look it over and it seemed ok but was pretty corroded. I ordered another one and tried to put it on but after about 41/2 hours of swearing and beating up my knuckles I ordered a Holley red (electric) with relay kit and oil pressure switch, a rebuilt quadrajet from National Carburetors and two 18-114 Sierra braided fuel lines (figured in and out of the fuel pump) . I swapped the carb, plumbed and wired the fuel pump, checked the fuel pump output probably a quart in about 3 seconds after it primed. I checked the vent on the fuel tank, checked the anti-siphon valve in the tank. Changed the fuel/water separator again. and checked all the clamps and hoses from the tank to the separator.
Put the boat on the muffs and wow it seemed to start faster, run smoother and even tried a quick rev to see if that was better. I was excited to put it in the water and see how it went. I put everything back together and headed for the water. I let it warm up on the trailer. Unloaded and idled out to deeper water. It really ran better now no sputtering no skipping. I gave it some throttle and it picked up pretty good but not what I expected. It finally got up on plane but just barely. I couldn't get it to get over 2800-3000 rpm and once I let off it would just barely get up to plane. It's almost like it is only on the primaries but when I had it apart and could see everything it appeared to be opening the secondaries just fine. It runs smooth now, idles and has good oil pressure but just no power. It only has around 500 hours on the motor.
I tried to do a compression/leakdown test but it is impossible to get the gauge hooked up. Next stop is the marina about 20 miles away. I am stumped and would love any suggestions.
Here is the problem. I have a 1988 Baja Force 200 (I know I never heard of one either but that is what the data plate says) When I got it I changed the oil, gas/oil separator, flushed the stern drive and generally checked it out. It has a 5.7 with an Alpha One. I had to charge the battery but I figured that was just from sitting. It started right up on the muffs and sounded pretty good. I took it out on the water and it was sputtering and skipping trying to get up on plane. I looked at the amp meter and it was down to 10 volts. I tried to limp it back to the dock but ended up paddling. Luckily it was in a river and was with the current.
I checked the alternator and wiring and couldn't find anything wrong with the wiring so I ordered a new alternator. Installed it charged the battery and started it on the muffs. It was charging now (13.9 volts running) and sounded ok on the muffs. Took it out again and same issue. No power and skipping and sputtering. Changed plugs, wires, cap, rotor, and checked the timing. Still the same no power and sputtering/skipping so I decided must be fuel.
I checked the fuel filter in the carburetor and changed it but it looked ok. I checked the fuel pump output and it seemed ok but was pulsing with the engine and was really corroded. I took it off to look it over and it seemed ok but was pretty corroded. I ordered another one and tried to put it on but after about 41/2 hours of swearing and beating up my knuckles I ordered a Holley red (electric) with relay kit and oil pressure switch, a rebuilt quadrajet from National Carburetors and two 18-114 Sierra braided fuel lines (figured in and out of the fuel pump) . I swapped the carb, plumbed and wired the fuel pump, checked the fuel pump output probably a quart in about 3 seconds after it primed. I checked the vent on the fuel tank, checked the anti-siphon valve in the tank. Changed the fuel/water separator again. and checked all the clamps and hoses from the tank to the separator.
Put the boat on the muffs and wow it seemed to start faster, run smoother and even tried a quick rev to see if that was better. I was excited to put it in the water and see how it went. I put everything back together and headed for the water. I let it warm up on the trailer. Unloaded and idled out to deeper water. It really ran better now no sputtering no skipping. I gave it some throttle and it picked up pretty good but not what I expected. It finally got up on plane but just barely. I couldn't get it to get over 2800-3000 rpm and once I let off it would just barely get up to plane. It's almost like it is only on the primaries but when I had it apart and could see everything it appeared to be opening the secondaries just fine. It runs smooth now, idles and has good oil pressure but just no power. It only has around 500 hours on the motor.
I tried to do a compression/leakdown test but it is impossible to get the gauge hooked up. Next stop is the marina about 20 miles away. I am stumped and would love any suggestions.