Electrical or Fuel Delivery?

[ScottM]

Today I used my boat for the first time in over 2 weeks. It has an '89 225 Johnson which didn't want to run very well. It started no problem, I idled from the mooring out the river without issue (3/4 mile), but as soon as I throttled up to about 4000, the engine would bog a bit. The tach would drop 300-400 rpms and the boat would slow down a bit, then it would throttled up again. Below 4000 the engine ran fine, over 4000 up to WOT @ 5600 I experienced this problem. I'm not so sure it's fuel related because the engine wouldn't cut out. I did notice when I hit the trim tabs to make sure they were in the up position, the engine bogged, which leads me to believe it's an electrical issue. We did have lots of rain this past Saturday, so I'm wondering if the wires got wet? Anyone have any ideas as to what this could be?

[Finster]

Scott, are you sure that doesn't say merc 300 on it? It sounds identical to mine...And I would think fuel. Water, Varnish, sludge, what ever...... Change the filter. You have a canister filter right? Pour it in a bucket and see what comes out. If it's water it will sink to the bottom.

Ahh. PM me and I'll give you my phone number if you don't have it all ready. Maybe I can help, though I have been known to be wrong.

Oh yeah, check all your grounds.

[PipeDreamsMarine]

Electrical.... sounds like a power pack problem, Check the small wires that run to the coils(trigger wires, not the plug wires) look for the green crap and dust. Thats what the problem with mine was. The bogging when you hit the trim switch sends me in that direction.. and what Finster said too.. check your grounds.... or bring it down and Finster,Scott and myself will hit it with rubber hammers for a few minutes and then take it for beers in 3to4's....That's the test of any boat repair

[pogden]

bring it down and Finster,Scott and myself will hit it with rubber hammers for a few minutes and then take it for beers in 3to4's....That's the test of any boat repair

[img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Personally, I like to drink the beers first then hit it with the hammer.

As far as the engine problem goes I would suspect it was what you were holding in your hand if it was a beer or a babe it would probably have run fine...or it wouldn't really matter anyway. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[ScottM]

Thanks for the help guys. I'll check those areas on Saturday. If I can't figure it out, I'll drink lots of beers and hit the engine anyway. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Finster - PM just sent.

[Abe's Rocket]

I had a similar problem with a v-4 115, every one suspected it was the powerpack until we discovered a toasted cyclinder...good times.

[John R]

What's the best way to dispose of questionable pre-mixed fuel?

[PipeDreamsMarine]

Your lawn mower.. Pre mix is fine to run in your lawn mower, just don't leave it in there over the winter. Plus you can burn it in your weed eater and leaf blower. Coffee filters and the water will settle to the bottom.. the rest is good fuel.. That's what I do with the fuel I drain from the tank(premix) in the spring.

[ScottM]

Just spoke with a buddy of mine that had the same engine. Right before he toasted a cylinder 4 years ago, he was trimming the engine while underway and had the same surging/bogging symptoms. The mechanic said the cause of the engine blowing was lack of oil to one cylinder due to a clog in the carb, but as to why the trim had an effect on the engine bogging remains a mystery. Needless to say I'll be talking with my mechanic tomorrow.

[Finster]

Scott, stop thinking too much. Just do those simple things Don and I said. Don't drive yourself nuts with mechanics if you don't have to.

I'll tell you about the fireball over a few beers....