Carbuerator Trouble I Think!

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Peter Karaganis

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Jun 10, 2001
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Okay, here's the deal. I bought an '86 Bayliner Capri. The problem is that it doesn't accelerate quite right. It runs great up to about 2500RPM. Anything past that and it starts acting like it's not getting enough fuel. It want's to accelerate, but it just won't. I cleaned the carb, and that made no noticeable difference. It doesn't act like it's missing or anything. The boat is a 19' and it has a 3.0L Volvo Penta in it. <br /><br />I'm fairly mechanically inclined, it's just that i'm very new to boating. I work on my Jeep all the time and do everything to it, so I think I can handle this if y'all can just give me a few pointers in the right direction. I'm thinking that the carb might need to be rebuilt or replaced. TIA!
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12Footer

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Re: Carbuerator Trouble I Think!

I've never worked on the fuel system of a Volvo/P, but they are pretty much standard.<br />I would agree that it's probably fuel related. Check the entire system,from the bottom of the tank to the vac key yume numbers, in that order.<br />Fuel lines with pinholes or leaking fitting,<br />Fuel pump for adequate delivery.<br />In-carb (if so equipped) and in line fuel filters.<br />Listen for a vac key yume leak,and plug any hissing.<br />Also, check the crankcase for water,indicating a head gasket failure.
 
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Re: Carbuerator Trouble I Think!

I forgot to mention,marine fuel tanks need to be vented.Make sure the vent tube is open.
 
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ODDD1

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Re: Carbuerator Trouble I Think!

Peter, the holley 2 barrel carbs volvo used on these motors were jetted VERY lean.....had them lean popping away while the boat is on plane! an increase in main jetting will help........
 
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SeaBear

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May 24, 2001
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Re: Carbuerator Trouble I Think!

As you have just bought this boat I'm just wondering if it's overpropped? What is the max RPM it will reach and at what throttle %? If it sounds as if it's 'gasping' for air after that point without missing [as you say] I would just double check the prop is correct for the boat and load? By load I mean if you have 8 people aboard and the previous owner used to have 2 it can make a big difference especially if the boat won't plane [the point after the boat's bow drops and the wake flattens] ... like driving your Jeep up a hill in a high gear with your foot flat to the boards and it doesn't gain speed?
 
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Peter Karaganis

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Re: Carbuerator Trouble I Think!

Originally posted by SeaBear:<br />As you have just bought this boat I'm just wondering if it's overpropped? What is the max RPM it will reach and at what throttle %? If it sounds as if it's 'gasping' for air after that point without missing [as you say] I would just double check the prop is correct for the boat and load? By load I mean if you have 8 people aboard and the previous owner used to have 2 it can make a big difference especially if the boat won't plane [the point after the boat's bow drops and the wake flattens] ... like driving your Jeep up a hill in a high gear with your foot flat to the boards and it doesn't gain speed?
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<br /><br />I'll check that out, but I don't think that's it because it was just myself and one other person in the boat. It wouldn't even plane out. He had two props w/ the boat. One was pitched differently than the other, but I tried them both w/ pretty much the same result.<br /><br />
Originally posted by ODDD1:<br />Peter, the holley 2 barrel carbs volvo used on these motors were jetted VERY lean.....had them lean popping away while the boat is on plane! an increase in main jetting will help........
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<br /><br />I tried adjusting the fuel/air mixture w/ little or no success, and I did check the venting. I guess that I'll order the rebuild kit. It's only about $30.00, and go from there. I haven't put a pressure tester on the fuel line, but there is a clear inline filter between the fuel tank and the pump. It shows to be moving pretty good through there, so I don't think it's the tank.<br /><br />Thanks for all of the advice everyone! I'll let you know how the rebuild goes on the carb.<br /><br />------------------
 
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SeaBear

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May 24, 2001
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Re: Carbuerator Trouble I Think!

Peter, I'm wondering about a few details here ... I assume you didn't experience this boat planing prior to buying it? Also, do you know how long the fuel has been in the tank as stale petrol is pretty gutless? Also water in the fuel? You can 'test' if it's too lean by working the throttle when it hits the flat point [like you would in a car] to cause the accelerator pump to pump more fuel ... if it doesn't pick up then it is not too lean? Another thought is trim? Have you trimmed the drive fully in to help her plane and if you have trim tabs then also try at least 75% down to help kick her out? Can't think of anything else now - excuse the brain dump but am trying to think of all boat-related stuff that may help???
 
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Peter Karaganis

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Re: Carbuerator Trouble I Think!

We actually did have these problems when purchasing the boat. I knew that they were there, but I got such a good deal on the boat, I wasn't overly concerned. The guy practically gave it to me because his wife is about to file for divorce and he didn't want he to have it. I'm going to drain all of the old fuel out (~35 Gallons
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) as soon as I figure out what to do with it. As for the trim, we definitely had that adjusted, so that wasn't the issue. It's just that the engine won't run well when hitting over ~2500 RPM's. I ran a compression test on the engine and compared it to the specs in the book. Compression is fine. I will hook my fuel pressure guage up to the pump and see how that is holding up. I suspect that it will also be fine. If you think of anything I'll be glad to listen. I really appreciate all of the advice. <br /><br />Right now I'm just trying to figure out what I'm going to do with 35 gallons of stale fuel. I think I'm going to get a 55 gallon drum and store it in my garage for parts cleaner.
 
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crain1

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Jul 17, 2001
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Re: Carbuerator Trouble I Think!

Did you ever get resolution to this problem? I just bought the same boat (I thing) do yo have the 5.0 liter Volvo engine in it? I think the boat is great, but last night after about 2 hours on the lake, we noticed some hesitation. Then, it got extremely rough and ran poorly, only while in gear for the remainder of the ride. It would run great in Neutral while trying to clear whatever was blocking the flow. I checked the fuel filter today... no blockage. I'm wondering, could it be old fuel and have you ever seen such a thing.. Please help.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Chris Rainone
 
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Peter Karaganis

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Re: Carbuerator Trouble I Think!

We did get the problem resolved. We rebuilt the carb, but that really didn't make any noticeable improvement, so we then replaced all the plug wires, coil, and cap and rotor. We also adjusted the points. That combination fixed it. I think if I had to narrow it down, that it was the coil, but I can't tell you for sure since I replaced all of that at one time. It runs great now! Good luck w/ your problem! HTH!
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TONY H

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Jul 2, 2001
Messages
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Re: Carbuerator Trouble I Think!

Did you try running a seperate gas tank just for a quick check? Take a gas can and run a hose to the carburator. This will eliminate a few variables. <br /> Crack in hose; air getting sucked in.<br /> Any other restriction in the gas hose or the tank.<br /> a seperate tak will be open so it will be vented.<br /> Good gas, I don't know how many gallons and how long the gas has been sitting in the built in tank.<br />See what happens
 
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