Betterthannothin
Seaman
- Joined
- Aug 4, 2010
- Messages
- 61
So about three weeks ago I noticed a decrease in my engine performance. I first thought it was a carb issue, because I would spray the carbs out and then it would work fine for a bit, but then "bog down" again. Next I checked out the fuel tank (26 gal.).
I figured the boat is 20 years old and it has never been cleaned out. So after drilling out the rivets and pulling the fuel tank out I flushed it out with mild detergent and water. I let it sit with forced air blowing through it for a couple hours until I was positive it was dry.
Since the tank was out I figured I sholud replace all the fuel lines and filters (boat side and motor side). I did and also pulled the carbs off, ripped them apart, soaked them, blew them out and rebuilt them.
My next step, since I had gone this far, was to change the plugs and wires and check compression. I had 120 psi +or- 2psi on each cylinder. I found the plugs no problem, but no one stocked the wires. I hate waiting for things so I checked them for continuity, called them good and reinstalled them.
Ok, so, carbs back on, fuel tank reinstalled, all new fuel lines, compression checked, new plugs, same "good" wires. I fire it up in the drive way,....Good to go. Put it in the water and I had no top end. I was only getting 30 knots out of her (normally I get 45). So i trailer the boat home. The whole time going over what I missed.
When I got home I went over everything I had done and found a missing hose clamp on the fuel line just aft of the primer ball. There is my problem! I put one on, hit the lake again and it was great. 46 knots top speed. The next day I spent 6 hours fishing and cruising the sound. Not even a hiccup. I was stoked.
The next day I went out with my wife after telling her of all the work I had done, and how she should be happy she married such a manly man who can fix anything. Well guess what. You know it. Same old problem was back.
I took it out today, on my own, determined to figure this damn thing out. So at idle in the middle of a lake I took the covers off the engine and stared at it for a few minutes. I heard a popping, so I started to poke at things. When I poked at the #3 spark plug wire (that I deemed to be good) I got a nice little zap. So I poked it again. And just to be certain I poked it one more time. So I managed to track down one wire at the local marina and changed it.
So far so good. All that work and it was a wire. I could say that I'm glad I know everything else is clean and done right, but I don't like to lie. So the moral of the story is CHANGE YOUR WIRES dont pull a me.
I figured the boat is 20 years old and it has never been cleaned out. So after drilling out the rivets and pulling the fuel tank out I flushed it out with mild detergent and water. I let it sit with forced air blowing through it for a couple hours until I was positive it was dry.
Since the tank was out I figured I sholud replace all the fuel lines and filters (boat side and motor side). I did and also pulled the carbs off, ripped them apart, soaked them, blew them out and rebuilt them.
My next step, since I had gone this far, was to change the plugs and wires and check compression. I had 120 psi +or- 2psi on each cylinder. I found the plugs no problem, but no one stocked the wires. I hate waiting for things so I checked them for continuity, called them good and reinstalled them.
Ok, so, carbs back on, fuel tank reinstalled, all new fuel lines, compression checked, new plugs, same "good" wires. I fire it up in the drive way,....Good to go. Put it in the water and I had no top end. I was only getting 30 knots out of her (normally I get 45). So i trailer the boat home. The whole time going over what I missed.
When I got home I went over everything I had done and found a missing hose clamp on the fuel line just aft of the primer ball. There is my problem! I put one on, hit the lake again and it was great. 46 knots top speed. The next day I spent 6 hours fishing and cruising the sound. Not even a hiccup. I was stoked.
The next day I went out with my wife after telling her of all the work I had done, and how she should be happy she married such a manly man who can fix anything. Well guess what. You know it. Same old problem was back.
I took it out today, on my own, determined to figure this damn thing out. So at idle in the middle of a lake I took the covers off the engine and stared at it for a few minutes. I heard a popping, so I started to poke at things. When I poked at the #3 spark plug wire (that I deemed to be good) I got a nice little zap. So I poked it again. And just to be certain I poked it one more time. So I managed to track down one wire at the local marina and changed it.
So far so good. All that work and it was a wire. I could say that I'm glad I know everything else is clean and done right, but I don't like to lie. So the moral of the story is CHANGE YOUR WIRES dont pull a me.
. 
