1997 Regal Valanti 202 - Engine Dogs

[Surfshoptom]

The boat ran great two years ago. Last year it started with this problem. It seemed to be only in the first 30 minutes or so, then ran fine. This year it seems to be somewhat worse. We usually start our sessions with a run around the lake. I would throttle up to 3000-3500. It runs - then it dogs down. The engine lags and the speed drops while at the same time the RPMs ON THE GUAGE jump way high - 5-6000. The RPMs aren't actually there - just on the guage.

Yesterday, we put the put in the water and the battery was dead. First time that's happened. I don't know if it's related or we left something on last time. I put a charger on it 30 minutes and then it started fine several times all day. But it never really got past the problem stage. It never warmed up and ran well.

A friend suggested maybe there's a short somewhere. Seems reasonable. Anyone have this kind of problem and can point me to the fix?

Thanks y'all.

 

[Bt Doctur]

got to feed those engine dogs better food

 

[Surfshoptom]

got to feed those engine dogs better food

Are you being serious? It could be fuel, but what about the behavior of the tach?

 

[DeepBlue2010]

Forget about your gauges for a while, They can act erratically for no apparent reason specially if they are Faria. Yes, it could be fuel. Check your fuel filter contents. Dump everything in it in a transparent container and see if you will get fuel and water separation. If so, you have water in your fuel tank and this is what is "bogging" your engine at high RPM. Give it a try and see what you get

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,..... What motor are We talkin' 'bout,..??

Disconnect the tach at the coil's (-) terminal, 'n try it,.....

 

[Surfshoptom]

Ayuh,..... What motor are We talkin' 'bout,..??.....

It's a Merc 4.3LX-GEN+

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,........ Carbed,..?? Efi,..?? Mpi,..??

 

[Surfshoptom]

Yes, it could be fuel. Check your fuel filter contents. Dump everything in it in a transparent container and see if you will get fuel and water separation. If so, you have water in your fuel tank and this is what is "bogging" your engine at high RPM. Give it a try and see what you get

I emptied the fuel from the filter into a clear glass. I don't see any separation, but the gas is more amber color than I expected. This is gas from last fall. I put Stabil in the tank and then filled it for the winter.

 

[Surfshoptom]

Ayuh,........ Carbed,..?? Efi,..?? Mpi,..??

carb

 

[Bt Doctur]

Without knowing the engine type, number of cylinders, type of fuel delivery its impossible to answer any questions.
It may just be the angle of the pic but it looks like 95% water on the bottom and 5% of gas on the top.