3.7 litre maiden voyage

[WARDENSWORRY]

Bought a starcraft islander 1988 about 2 weeks ago. Today was my first sea trial. Took off from the ramp and let the engine warm. When warm i opened her up. Came up on plane after a few backfires. Went about 1/2 a mile and back to idle for 3 hours of trolling. Engine ran fine for about 2 1/2 hours and then started to idle rough and i had to bring it up off idle to keep it running. After 1/2 hour of this we pulled up our fishing lines to clean the carbon out of the old girl. Hit the throttle and this was accompanied with lots of backfiring and bogging and i had to fight with the throttle to get up on plane. This boat had not been in the water for 4 years before i bought it. Before the sea trial i drained and replaced fuel with fresh, oil/filter change and changed the fuel filter. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Thanks

WW

 

[TowRoper]

Re: 3.7 litre maiden voyage

after 4 years the carb will need to be cleaned at a minimum but i would rebuild it its cheap n easy

 

[Maclin]

Re: 3.7 litre maiden voyage

If what you stated was all that you did before using it then I would say your experience was not all that bad. A proper tuneup including points, plugs, cap, rotor, dwell setting and timing adjustment would have been a nice complement to the fresh gasoline and filters. Carbs that have sat that long also need a thorough going thru.

 

[jze1212]

Re: 3.7 litre maiden voyage

I agree with Maclin, and I would certainly take care of that sooner than later! I would take care of the filters, plugs and ignition components however, before ripping apart the carb. Put some Marvel Mystery oil into you next batch of gas and take her for a run, you may not have to touch the carb after the Mystery oil goes though...

 

[stonyloam]

Re: 3.7 litre maiden voyage

With a newly acquired 3.7 it is always a good idea to do a compression check to make sure that your head gasket is in good shape.

 

[WARDENSWORRY]

Re: 3.7 litre maiden voyage

after 4 years the carb will need to be cleaned at a minimum but i would rebuild it its cheap n easy

HOW EASY IS EASY?

 

[Apollo75]

Re: 3.7 litre maiden voyage

Hello;

A carb may run lean or rich ---- lean --> lack of power, running warmer than usual, plug insulator white. Rich --> gas smell, loading up, fouled plugs, black plug insulator, lack of power while clearing out the fuel etc,.

I would worry about the backfire ---- carbs don't usually cause this --- if the accelerator pump is not working a large bog and maybe a little backfire.

It sounds like valves are not seating ---- could be carbon build up under the valve head ----- I would get some upper cylinder cleaner --- GM makes a good one and pour it into the carb (follow directions on can) while on muffs and then let it sit for a few hours. I have done this many times for engines with similar problems and even knocking from carbon buildup.

Also, from sitting the valve stems get rusted and stick ---- they will not fully close --- some lube down the intake sometimes helps as does a little marvel mystery oil in the fuel ( a couple ounces only ) --- sometimes it goes and comes back and you have to replace the valves.


Could be ignition related too


Best of luck

OFM

______________________________________
"If the boat is not sinking or on fire ---- Relax."