Flooding Problem When Coming Off Plane

[ATAYLOR61822]

I have a 1987 SEA RAY sorrento S21 with a 5.7L Mercruiser alpha one. It has a 4 bbl carb. (don't know what kind) it starts easy, runs well with only 2 problems. Problem 1, when going from 3/4 to full throttle it hesitates for about 1 full second then takes off. Problem 2, after running at speed (3000rpm or higher) as I shut it down approaching the no wake area it sputters and dies. I can smell the gas, I can look down the carb and see the gas in the intake (like a puddle of gas) so I know it's flooded bad. It takes almost all my battery to restart it except for yesterday I didn't have enough battery to restart it and it left me stranded and I was out of beer!! I have had people tell me to check the float but nobody can tell me how. I have also read about a overflow line from the fuel pump but I don't know what to look for. I just hate to pay someone $85 just to tell me the problem. Any help will be appreciated.

[Bond-o]

Ayuh,...

It sounds like you need to either Rebuild, or Replace the Carb....

[tarheelebbtide]

I had the same issues on the same motor 2 years ago. My carb couldn't be rebuilt and had to be replaced. You should do it soon though as it's going to put you down more and more often.

[ziggy]

sounds like ya don't have a service manual. it's a must have item if your working on your engine.... most likely ya can get yours here... http://forums.iboats.com/mercruiser-i-o-inboard-engines-outdrives/merc-service-manual-links-251571.html
looks like #9 would be yours. for yourdrive ya need #6.
these books will help you id what carb. you have. + they will tell you what the specifications are. includeing float level. genenraly speaking, ya have to take the top of the carb off to see the float. there is a measurement for how high the float can go and how low it can travel. as for the fuel line. the one that is clear. leading to the top of the carb. coming from the fuel pump is the one to look at. it should have nothing in it. if it does have fuel in it. the fuel pump needs replaced.
get the sm. it has all the facts about your engine in it + step by step instructions on how to service whatever on your rig.....

[JustJason]

its more than likely the carb, but check your timing first.

[ziggy]

but check your timing first.

assuming ya have points. check dwell too. as dwell effects timing.

i just rebuilt my carb. prior to tuning it on the boat i thought i might just be sure dwell and timing were correct. much to my amazement. my dwell was set at 40*. i had set it this spring at 31. it moved. didn't check the timing, but it musta been wrong as dwell effects timing....

[ATAYLOR61822]

If it starts, idles, and runs good otherwise should I still be concerned about the timing? The boat was doing the same thing when I first bought it and after cleaning the flame arrestor and a few sprays in the carb it acted fine until now after It sat for about 5 or 6 weeks cause I broke my ankle.

[Lone Duck]

If it starts, idles, and runs good otherwise should I still be concerned about the timing?(** The boat was doing the same thing when I first bought it and after cleaning the flame arrestor and a few sprays in the carb it acted fine**) until now after It sat for about 5 or 6 weeks cause I broke my ankle.

Ahha! Wrap up your ankle and get out there and give your carb some serious T L C . Like a rebuild.

[VMAX]

I have a similar problem with my Sea Ray.
305 Mercruiser with Quadrajet 4bbl. carb.
It started last season. Boat starts and runs fine. I shut the engine off for a while to fish or swim, and when I restart it, the engine will die after a few seconds. If I remove the spark arrestor and look into the top of the carb, fuel will be POURING out of the venturis.
I have had the top off of the carb several times. I installed a new needle and seat, and problem reoccurred. I replaced the float, being sure to set the level
properly, and it happened again the next time out. I am an auto mechanic, and have repaired many of these carburetors when they were standard automotive hardware, but I'm stumped. It almost seems to have something to do with the sequence of running the engine hard, shutting down for a while, and then restarting. The flooding obviously is not happening when I shut the engine off, because I never smell fuel while we are anchored, and the engine restarts normally. It's as if something happens just after the restart, since the engine floods within seconds of starting. I've never experienced this on an automobile before, but I wonder if the tank vent could be plugged, and enough pressure builds up in the fuel system during a hot soak that it can actually "burp" pressure when the needle opens, which the float is unable to overcome.
This is the next thing that I'm going to check, since my boat never floods
until it's been shut off for a while.
I'll post an explanation if I get mine figured out.

If anyone out there has an answer for this, please post!

John

[erikgreen]

One other thing... if you ran out of beer, you need a bigger cooler. It's a close second to getting the carb fixed