Hi there, After a long time I finally joined the used boat owner community! Got myself a 1998 Four Winns 225 Sundowner with 200 hours on the engine. The boat is in great shape and has always been maintained by the boatyard mechanic. The engine idles fine but when I hit the throttle, the engine revs up for a few seconds and starts to bog down and dies. When purchasing the boat I was aware of the issue, talked to the mechanic who took care of the boat and he mentioned it needed a fuel pump. He did not specify HP or LP pump. A quick pressure reading revealed a HP discharge at 29 psi and a LP (measured at the valve located on the lid of the VST) to be at 0 psi. I went ahead and replaced the LP fuel pump last night and the problem still occurring. I have not taken a pressure reading at the VST yet after pump install.. I ran out of day light! When I turn the key to the on position (engine off) both pumps cycle (can feel and hear pump cycling for a couple seconds), the engine fires right up and idles great however it is bogging down when I hit the throttle. At this point I am ruling out a bad fuel pump. I have yet to feel or hear teh LP pump cycling while the engine is running. Could there be an issue with the fuel pump relay? I do see two relays on the relay bracket next to the LP fuel pump.. Diagrams only show one relay required. Not sure if one of them is a spare..
I have checked the carb throat and did observe gas flow into the carb, I have checked all lines for blockage (found none), I have opened up the VST and found it to be clean (with gas of course), gas filter was replaced by boat yard mechanic this season and was also found to be clean. Pulled the float and dip tube (with check valve which was clear) from gas tank and had no indication of dirt, gunk or debris. gas in it seemed fine and clean.
Before replacing the LP fuel pump, I did mess with the connections of the fuel pumps and for a second I was able to get the engine to rev up without dying and after a little while I got a little bit of smoking (grayish), checked the water coming out of engine and did find it a little hot.. Not sure if the engine has a history of overheating but I did take the thermostat hosing and cleaned it up including replacing the thermostat. I have not seen a high temp alarm yet.
Does anyone have any idea of what could be causing this problem? Any help is appreciated!!
Ps: I am not an expert mechanic but do like to tackle most problems myself (when possible), I hope I can get this fixed given some help!
Thanks in advance!
Carlos
I have checked the carb throat and did observe gas flow into the carb, I have checked all lines for blockage (found none), I have opened up the VST and found it to be clean (with gas of course), gas filter was replaced by boat yard mechanic this season and was also found to be clean. Pulled the float and dip tube (with check valve which was clear) from gas tank and had no indication of dirt, gunk or debris. gas in it seemed fine and clean.
Before replacing the LP fuel pump, I did mess with the connections of the fuel pumps and for a second I was able to get the engine to rev up without dying and after a little while I got a little bit of smoking (grayish), checked the water coming out of engine and did find it a little hot.. Not sure if the engine has a history of overheating but I did take the thermostat hosing and cleaned it up including replacing the thermostat. I have not seen a high temp alarm yet.
Does anyone have any idea of what could be causing this problem? Any help is appreciated!!
Ps: I am not an expert mechanic but do like to tackle most problems myself (when possible), I hope I can get this fixed given some help!
Thanks in advance!
Carlos