1988 150 Evinrude Xp Vro Stalling At Open Throttle

evinrudexp · #1 August 28th, 2007, 08:07 PM

Hey Guys!

I have an issue with my 1988 Evinrude XP VRO that I was hoping maybe some of you here can help me on. Basically (or not so basic!), the motor runs nice in neutral and at idle when in gear. BUT as soon as I get on the throttle in gear the motor wants to stall and will die if I dont pull back on the throttle. In neutral is revs up fine, but in gear it wants to stall out. THEN, occasionally it will start to stall but then take off all of the sudden and run great at WOT before it will again loose power and want to stall.

I have replaced the plugs but no change.
I tried to pump the primer bulb but no difference.

Im not sure if its a fuel problem such as my gas tank, lines, fuel pump, or carbs). Or, if its electrical such as power packs, coils, etc?

Any ideas???

Thanks in advance

emdsapmgr · #2 August 29th, 2007, 06:43 AM

Engines will run fine in neutral. Any problem will show up when under load. Spark check each plug wire to be sure you have fire on all 6.

evinrudexp · #3 August 29th, 2007, 03:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by emdsapmgr

Engines will run fine in neutral. Any problem will show up when under load. Spark check each plug wire to be sure you have fire on all 6.

Yes! "Engines will run fine in neutral. Any problem will show up when under load."

I will do the spark check. So it looks like an electrical problem?

Thanks for the reply!

evinrudexp · #4 August 31st, 2007, 03:23 PM

Okay so I did the spark check and I did see a think line of spark jumping the gap...however...it wasnt as strong blue as I expected. It was the same on all 6 plugs. I know there is spark because the motor runs but Im not sure if its not strong enough to support WOT.

???

jaurora · #5 August 31st, 2007, 05:10 PM

just went through this on my 88 150. The guys on here saved my butt. Here is one thing to try, in the water at WOT when it begins to drop RMP's and stall, push in the key to activate the primer. I be willing to bet that your boat will jump as if you gave it a shot of nitrous. It sounds like the same issue I had, pull the carps and clean the high speed jets along with the rest of the carbs!

evinrudexp · #6 August 31st, 2007, 06:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaurora

just went through this on my 88 150. The guys on here saved my butt. Here is one thing to try, in the water at WOT when it begins to drop RMP's and stall, push in the key to activate the primer. I be willing to bet that your boat will jump as if you gave it a shot of nitrous. It sounds like the same issue I had, pull the carps and clean the high speed jets along with the rest of the carbs!

Thanks for the reply...I have tried everything including activating the primer. But I definately think that a carb rebuild is worth doing.

I assume you have the 3 carbs right? How long did it take to rebuild the carbs? Any advise while doing this?

Thanks for the help

azbassinjay · #7 March 13th, 2009, 11:40 PM

I have the same engine and the same problems, did you ever get it fixed? I replaced the spark plugs, rebuilt the carbs, and replaced inline fuel filter. Took it out to the lake ran good at first then later in the day after fishing started up a little hard and then it ran and started to lose power and then shut off. I got it started again but it would verily go sometimes picking up in speed and then dropping back down. I am thinking that mine is overheating and I may need to replace the water pump and impeller. I am going to check the compression first.

fattony72 · #8 July 7th, 2009, 05:20 PM

Hi
I am having the exact same problem with my 88 XP 150...I didn't know where to start..have you fixed your problem?...I started a new thread on the forum it sounds almost identical to yours...

Thanks
Tony V

brault · #9 September 22nd, 2009, 01:49 PM

i am also awaiting an answer to this, my motor takes about 5 minutes everytime i go out boatin and all of a sudden it runs perfect then is good for the rest of the day. but until then it bogs when opened up, and sometimes the motor does this weird ta-ta-ta at idle where it torques itself back and forth

jonesg · #10 September 22nd, 2009, 07:38 PM

Try to diagnose your engines in the logical manner..

Some simple cheap tools are all you need,

1compression guage,
2adjustable spark GAP tester
3and timing light.

compression test first.

then spark GAP test , not a spark plug test.

Use a timing light when it bogs to check for spark,

if all cylinders light up and it passes the gap test (set to 7/16th inch gap)

then its very likely fuel delivery.