strange problem when in water

[remi_357]

Hello everyone, i took my 86 celebrity with a 4.3 mercruiser and alpha one outdrive to the water for the first time today.

A little history I bought this boat as a project. After new distributor, pick-up, coil, ignition module, it runs awsome.....on the muffs.

When I got to the lake it fired right up, however died after about 15 seconds. It would eventally start back up, but would keep dieing. This went on for about 30 minutes so I got it started again and idled it pretty high and waited. After about 30 seconds it slowly started to die out like it was running out of fuel. Any ideas? Like i said it runs great on the muffs. Maybe a carb rebuild or that check valve on the pick-up line is bad. The closest lake is 30 miles from me so I really dont wanna try to guess at it and make a bunch of wasted trips......

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: strange problem when in water

It does sound like a fuel problem. by the sounds of the other repairs a carb overhaul would be in order. Im also in need of a carb overhaul so i know the feeling.
As for the running on the muffs, go to the local farm and fleet or tractor supply and get a small watering troff (cant spell that) and use it in place of the muffs as this will give you the back pressure like it was in the water. This will also let you check the pee hole for a good water stream. Take off the prop when doing this.

 

[remi_357]

Re: strange problem when in water

we are talking about the exhaust back pressure correct? where does the exhaust exit from? If I take the prop off and dunk the outdrive into a tank I will simulate everthing like being in the water? sorry for the stupid questions im new to boats, this is my first

 

[Hansolo99]

Re: strange problem when in water

Carburator rebuild for sure. The rebuild is cheap and worth the money!!

 

[remi_357]

Re: strange problem when in water

Would the carb be the problem or jus a good thing so go ahead and do?

 

[chadelliott]

Re: strange problem when in water

i had a similar problem with mine even when I rebuilt the carb it did the same thing. My problem went away when I cleaned /replaced the feul lines, especially the check valve at the feul tank. Mine was full of crap and starving the carb.

Hope this helps?

 

[aolsen]

Re: strange problem when in water

I had the same problem with my 2.3L i rebuilt the carb and it ran fantastic. Usually the accelerator pump gets ate up from the gas sitting in it for long periods, also the low speed jets and accelerator jets get gumed up and wont run right. Rebuild kit and a good cleaning $25 and a couple hours of work and you should be good to go.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: strange problem when in water

Would the carb be the problem or jus a good thing so go ahead and do?

If it fixes the problem, then yes its the cause, if not then its just a good thing to do.
As i said, with the other repairs you had to do, it sounds like it is needed.

 

[Bifflefan]

Re: strange problem when in water

we are talking about the exhaust back pressure correct? where does the exhaust exit from? If I take the prop off and dunk the outdrive into a tank I will simulate everthing like being in the water? sorry for the stupid questions im new to boats, this is my first

Im not firmiler with your boat, but if the exhaust exits through the prop, then you will have the back pressure needed to simulate the boat being in the water. if the exhaust exits above the water, then you can at least check the water pump is functioning properly. On the muffs the hose is pushing water through the system.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: strange problem when in water

You would have to fully submerse the drive just like it is when in the lake to get the correct back pressure.
Revving it on the muffs will not tell you much with no load on the engine.

We hear this all the time on the forum....." it will rev to 5k on the muffs "..

All i can do is picture something flying apart!

 

[remi_357]

Re: strange problem when in water

Ok here is my plan of attack. Clean the pick up screen in the tank, remove the anti siphon valve, replace all fuel lines, and rebuild carb. Anything else suggest anything I may be missing?

 

[Peter1950]

Re: strange problem when in water

Here's a thought. Maybe when you're on the muffs, the angle of the boat is different than the angle in the water. Not normally a problem but if there is a fuel pickup issue it could be related to the angle of the boat where the fuel is away from the pickup. Do you use a clear glass fuel filter so you can SEE fuel in the line at the carb? Can you try it on the muffs with the boat pointing the opposite direction. Just thinking maybe you're on a steep driveway or something. I'm otherwise thinking a clogged inlet screen on the fuel tank pickup.

 

[spktho]

Re: strange problem when in water

May need the choke adjusted.

 

[dubs283]

Re: strange problem when in water

on the right track with inspecting the anti-siphon valve but you need to inspect the entire fuel system (tank to carb) before you rule anything out

before we start re-building the carb lets see if the fuel in the tank is old? did you replace the water separating fuel filter? did you replace the carb fuel filter?

start with the cheap easy stuff first, then dig deeper if problems persist

 

[remi_357]

Re: strange problem when in water

The gas was brand new as of yesterday. Also new glass inline fuel filter. The small fuel filter inside the carb was removed. I do not belive I have a water/fuel seperater as there is nothing else attatched to the fuel lines.

 

[Bondo]

Re: strange problem when in water

Also new glass inline fuel filter. The small fuel filter inside the carb was removed. I do not belive I have a water/fuel seperater as there is nothing else attatched to the fuel lines.

Ayuh,... Ditch the inline filter,+ install a cannister type filter/ seperator...
Glass has No place in a boat's Fuel system...
And,...
Put the filter Back in the carb,... It's there for a Reason....

 

[remi_357]

Re: strange problem when in water

i will take the glass filter off today. also i had removed the small filter inside the carb thinking maybe it was was getting plugged up. I will put it back in today as well...

 

[ENSIGN]

Re: strange problem when in water

Place the boat on a slight incline,(bow up)remove some gas from the tank. CHECK FOR WATER!!! Install water separation filter.