Hesitation during Hole Shot

[RIW55]

My 120 HP Force outboard seems to have a brief hesitation between 2000 and 2500 RPM when pulling a skier up. It hits hard but then slows for about a second or two as the RPMs come up then it proceeds up to the higher RPM's with no problem. Once the skier is up it runs fine. It is just that hesitation I don't like as it throws my kids off when they are trying to get up. Any ideas??

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Hesitation during Hole Shot

Possibly running a tad lean??? Could also be timing. If timing is OK then check anything that might affect fuel delivery to cylinders. Check easy things first. Next time you try to pull a skier, have someone squeeze the primer bulb. If this has an affect, then I would suspect fuel pump diaphragm. If it has no affect then need to check carbs.

 

[RIW55]

Re: Hesitation during Hole Shot

Thanks I will give it a try this weekend. What should I do if it is running lean?

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Hesitation during Hole Shot

If the motor runs fine at WOT throttle, and pumping primer bulb has no affect, then the next step would be to check the carbs. Possible sticky needle valve. Might get lucky and be able to get away with just taking fuel bowl off and seeing if any debris has accumulated in the bowl. Be careful not to bump the float too hard and throw off the float setting or damage the needle valve. Take your finger and gently move the float up and then down. The silver needle valve should drop down as the float drops down. If it has a tendency to stick, then I would replace needle valves in both carbs.

If you don't already have one, an inline filter between the pump and carbs is a good idea. If you do have one, check to see that it's not plugged up.