dies when put in gear sometimes

[bob johnson]

1997 Johnson FAST STRIKE 175 hp power head on a 1996 ocean runner midsection. installed 2 years ago...been running well since...second to the last trip out I noticed a cough and a sputter once in a while...so before the very last trip I pulled the plugs...they looked find a very light caramel stain o the porcelain... no carbon or buildup... I checked the spark.. all 6 jumping 1/2". ran a spray can of carbon free from sierra.... and I took her out the next day... she starts right away but she hesitated and stumbled when I put her in gear.... I had to throttle up fast to keep her from dying. this went on for the next hour or so when ever we stopped to try and get bait. a few times in reverse it died right out.... it just didn't like that low rpm in gear.... in neutral she seemed to idle fine.... I had noticed she burned rich last fall... and I truned in the idle screws... 1 whole turn...to see if that helped.... I think it did a LITTLE.... the last trip out it was too rough to go WOT...but she ran perfect at 4000 rpm....... for a good 1/2 hour run at one point. Im thinking idle passages maybe...but before I spent the cash on carb kits for SIX carbs...I figured id ask if its possibly something else.... the roller on the throttle linkage is in excellent shape..i know they can crack and fall off, then the throttle does nothing until you get further along...... maybe its an RPM setting thing with the LynK and sync.....

thanks

bob

 

[ondarvr]

Check the compression and spark, but hopefully it's just dirty carbs.

 

[ob]

Have you tried returning the idle mix screws to where they were set last Fall to see if it remedies your low speed stall?

 

[bob johnson]

Check the compression and spark, but hopefully it's just dirty carbs.

compression is great, and I wrote that I checked the spark........... actually wondering if turning in the idle mixture to lean it out is the issue....but since I don't know the history of the motor before 2 years ago...a carb cleaning couldn't hurt anyway.

 

[bob johnson]

Have you tried returning the idle mix screws to where they were set last Fall to see if it remedies your low speed stall?

something to think about, it was burning my nostrils with the burning rich gas smell...it was that strong... but I just took it to the mechanic. He has a dynamometer and he can tune and see how the performance is..wether it is up to factory specs or not... he did the 1999 150 ocean runner I installed on my other boat and I was very happy with his work... I had thought about tackleing this thing myself...but I have a lot going on and too much to rebuild all the carbs then take the boat out and still have issues and kinda mess up another fishing trip.... and bring it back and try something else.. I also have never done a link and synk.. and if that's the issue...hes more equipment and experienced than me.. I take this boat out across long island Sound........

so I need it to be as worry free as possible....

bob