2000 90 HP Classic Problems

Need help please. Took the boat out recently and had some issues. Was out for a few hours no problems and then on the way home I got up on a plane and the Engine just shut off dead. Started it back up gotr up on a plane and same thing. Next time starting was difficult. Had to push handle almost all the way forward to start. When I would back it off to Neutral it seems to idle fine. When I put it in gear it would die almost immediately. Went through this for about 20 minutes until finally it got harder and harder to start. Finally would not start at all. Got towed!!<br /> Took it in for service and everything checked out good. Compression was real good. Said the timing was off, but that was my fault. When it would not stay started in gear, I messed with the idle. He changed the plugs and said it water tested fine. So I took it out the next day. Ran fine at idle in neutral. Put it in gear and it felt very shaky and felt like it was going to die any second, which it did. Before I take it back in I wanted to get some opinions from the knowledgable people here. <br /> Any help would be greatly appreciated. <br /><br />The only other thing is that I ran pretty hard aground recently in the keys. Would not pee for a few minutes but eventually cleared and never overheated.

Re: 2000 90 HP Classic Problems

Did you fix the timing? Should probably do a lync. & sync.<br /><br />Make sure you are getting spark on all cylinders.<br /><br />When was the last time the carbs where cleaned or rebuilt?

Re: 2000 90 HP Classic Problems

Not sure problem is related to the grounding. Sounds like fuel starvation like you have a clogged filter somewhere or vented tank not venting or a big wad of fuel treatment full of water (jelly goo) clogging your fuel line, or I heard the other day that one of the valves in the squeeze bulb could come loose and clog the line.<br /><br />Question for you. When you took the boat in and the mechanic ran it, whose gas was he using? His or yours?????<br /><br />Mark

Re: 2000 90 HP Classic Problems

Thank you for the replys. He was using my gas I suppose. He said he checked for water in the lines and carb, did a lincage check. Said everything tested out fine. It is hard to beleive he would belive it ran fine because it runs like garbage at slow idle. I did not even bring up on plane. Just turned around and went back to docks. It was 4 A.M. and did not want to be stuck again.

Re: 2000 90 HP Classic Problems

Well, I'll stick with fuel delivery problems. Forgot to mention the fuel pump diaphram could have ruptured. Squeezing the bulb and testing for a good tight bulb when it is running would bypass a fuel pump problem. The bulb could do the pumping in place of the pump. If it won't run off the bulb, then it could be a clog.<br /><br />Pop your plugs and determine if they are wet or dry. If dry it supports fuel starvation. If wet you are having ignition problems. I think those engines have 3 separate pulse packs and one central controller getting impulses off the flywheel to determine when to fire the plugs.<br /><br />It is possible that one died on you while you were out boating.<br />After doing the above, you might pull one sparkplug wire at the time and see if you can pull one and the engine runs the same as when it was connected. If so, you have an ignition problem at that cylinder. But those engines will run on 2 cylinders pretty good so the fact that you had to keep advancing the throttle (fast idle I'm supposing) supports fuel starvation, not ignition.<br /><br />HTH,<br /><br />Mark

Re: 2000 90 HP Classic Problems

Thanks Mark, I will check into all your suggestions. I am also questioning myself a bit. My mechanic said I had the mixture very lean when I brought it in. He adjusted the mixture. Maybe the rough, almost stalling feeling, is just the change in mixture. Still does not explain why it shut down at full go.<br /><br />Thanks again

Re: 2000 90 HP Classic Problems

So did you check for spark on all cylinders?

Re: 2000 90 HP Classic Problems

Yes, all cylinders are sparking.

Re: 2000 90 HP Classic Problems

Then if you have compression and spark and the timing is all in sync.... Then its a fuel problem. Disassemble the carbs, clean em' with carb cleaner, blow and dry out all the orfices with compressed air, and then reassemble with new gaskets. Fuel pump rebuilt kits are cheap as well.

Re: 2000 90 HP Classic Problems

Lean mixture isn't going to do that unless it dried out the cylinders and bearings and one siezed. Could happen, but that's mighty, mighty lean; like so lean the sucker shouldn't have even run in the first place. Now if you forgot to put oil in the gas or the oil injection pump (if you have one) quit oiling, then ok.........but!<br /><br />Mark

Re: 2000 90 HP Classic Problems

Thanks guys. Mark, I am just graping at straws because he could not find a problem. Well there was definately something wrong or I would not have been sitting on the water for three hours and not able to start the engine. What is frustrating is it seems to run great on the hose but gets much rougher in the water. <br /><br /> I will get a manuel and then tackle the carbs and fuel pump. <br /><br />Thanks again

Re: 2000 90 HP Classic Problems

I didn't re-read all the dialogue above, but there is no stress on the engine on the hose. When you add stress you have to pay the bill....just like a small car vs a big one; takes more fuel and your engine needs more fuel when turning the prop against water pressure.<br /><br />Mark