Hesitation question

ashskyler

Cadet
Joined
Jun 28, 2010
Messages
15
Hey all, new here. Just got my first boat to enjoy with the family. Weve had it out 4-5 times now. Runs great with one exception. It hesitates a little bit. I will start off real slow, approx 4-5 mph, then if i continue throttling it will hesitate and start to die off, but will stay running if i bring the throttle back down to the original 4-5mph speed. but if i bring it back down then go right back up with a little more thrust then it will will take off and drive normally. Just has that little hesitation, its really annoying. This last time we had it out(yesterday) we delt with the hesitation problem but then i think 2 times, it didnt engage in gear, i would throttle up and it revved but didnt move like in neutral but then engaged on its own. not sure if these are symptoms of the same problem or different problems... the boat is a 85 searay 3.0 mercruiser motor. Motor has been rebuilt but not sure about carb. any thoughts or suggestions? Its a great boat and i wanna keep it in great running condition.
 

frank246

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 18, 2009
Messages
293
Re: Hesitation question

Check the acceleration pump plunger for wear and have or rebuild the carb with a carb kit.
The shifting thing is probably the lower shift cable that moves slow.
Good luck!
 

smarks

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Messages
119
Re: Hesitation question

Has it been tuned lately? Check all fuel filters and the carb may need to be rebuilt as well.
 

SeanMcl

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Apr 3, 2009
Messages
187
Re: Hesitation question

I agree with Frank. Take the flame arrestor off, open the choke plate and have someone pump the throttle a few times. You should see a pretty good stream of fuel shooting into the carb, like if you punched a hole in a full Big Gulp cup with a pencil tip. You can do that with the engine off.

If you don't see a fuel stream, it's time for a carb rebuild and clean out. My boat was doing the same thing, and it was plugged nozzles. Cleaned them out and the issue was solved.

I think that the outdrive not engaging into gear is a separate issue.
 

PNW Driver

Seaman
Joined
Apr 29, 2009
Messages
55
Re: Hesitation question

Just dealt with the same thing yesterday. Carb was just rebuilt but we neglected to soak the accelerator pump in hot water (per the kit instructions) and it was flexing and not delivering enough fuel unless it was eased into.
 

ashskyler

Cadet
Joined
Jun 28, 2010
Messages
15
Re: Hesitation question

Wow, thanks for all the info. Where is the flame arrestor located? Ive never seen one of those.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
70,990
Re: Hesitation question

Wow, thanks for all the info. Where is the flame arrestor located? Ive never seen one of those.

Ayuh,... It's the thingy on top of the carb.....

Sounds like ya need a Mechanic...
 

smarks

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Mar 23, 2010
Messages
119
Re: Hesitation question

It's kind of like the Air Filter on your car only it's there to retard backfire flames.

Steve
 

sethjon

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jun 8, 2010
Messages
692
Re: Hesitation question

Sounds like there are 2 problems. The hesitation is fuel related. When was the filter changed? Also, when were the plugs pulled? The other problem has to do with the drive. You may have to pull it to determine the real cause.
 

ashskyler

Cadet
Joined
Jun 28, 2010
Messages
15
Re: Hesitation question

Im not sure on the tuneup questions. i havent done a complete tune up since ive gotten the boat (approx 2 months ago). I plan on doing a tune up and rebuilding the carb. Does anyone know a good place to buy a reliable carb kit? Any good sites?
 
Top