1987 Wellcraft 180 Classic power issue

lcichon

Cadet
Joined
Jul 13, 2006
Messages
26
Hi guys. So I have a 1987 Wellcraft 180 Classic with a 175hp I/O OMC that usually runs great. 2 years ago, during the winter the outdrive water pump hose came off and I neglected to see it before taking the boat out that spring. D'oh! The engine overheated, and we ended up have to replace all of rubber fittings and valves in the cooling system. After that it ran good and strong.
This season, Ive noticed two issues: when trying to pull up a skier and going from idle to WOT, it will stall unless I ease into full power by idling higher before hitting it. Not too big a deal. The second issue is more concerning: if I am running at full or 80% power (I hardly ever run it at 100% for more than a few seconds), it will run strong for awhile then I lose about a third to half power and I can hear the engine pitch change- it sounds as if I'm missing on half of the cylinders. If I throttle down to half, power returns as it should, but I can't go back to 80% power until the engine has time to rest.
Not sure what to check/try here. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated!

Lee
 

zbnutcase

Commander
Joined
Sep 19, 2009
Messages
2,055
Re: 1987 Wellcraft 180 Classic power issue

Sounds like fuel issue. Filters been changed this year? Tune-up performed? And sounds like accelerator pump issue with carb.
 

lcichon

Cadet
Joined
Jul 13, 2006
Messages
26
Re: 1987 Wellcraft 180 Classic power issue

Hi zbnutcase. I have changed out the water/fuel separator, spark plugs, and done the usual tune up stuff this year, but I didn't replace the fuel filter inside the carburator assembly per the shop manual. Hadn't thought of a fuel issue, I rebuilt the fuel pump 2 years ago. Can you tell me more about the accelerator pump?

Thanks,

Lee
 

6meter

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
May 15, 2010
Messages
525
Re: 1987 Wellcraft 180 Classic power issue

Probably looking at a carb rebuild for both problems and it also includes an accelerator pump. AND replace the carb fuel filter.
 

lcichon

Cadet
Joined
Jul 13, 2006
Messages
26
Re: 1987 Wellcraft 180 Classic power issue

carb rebuild with accelerator pump scheduled for 7/20 - I'll let you know.

Thanks guys!

Lee
 

lcichon

Cadet
Joined
Jul 13, 2006
Messages
26
Re: 1987 Wellcraft 180 Classic power issue

scheduled for carb rebuild tomorrow, however, I was at Lake Mcconaughy over the weekend and had the boat actually slip out of gear a couple times when under big loads. Also tightened up a loose alternator belt which seemed to help a lot with the reduction in power at high RPM. I'll share this with the repair shop tomorrow and see what they think, but I just wanted to throw it out there unless it rang any bells with you guys.

Thanks,

Lee
 
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