Last year the starter died on my 96 Bayliner Capri (3.0 I/O). I didn't have a lot of time to replace it so the boat sat most of the season (in my driveway). It was put away winterized as usual (pink antifreeze, changed the oil and filter). This year I replaced the solenoid and starter as well as a new battery and all seemed well. Went out and it seemed OK at first but after a few runs back and forth the engine started surging when at full or near full throttle.
I brought it home and figured it may be due to the old gas. So I siphoned out all the gas until the tank was empty. I replaced the fuel filter and put in premium. Also found that the electric choke unit was loose. Took it apart and tightened it up and set the choke to be a little more open when cold. Took it out again with the same result. So I went and picked up some Seafoam for the gas and a can of their spray in carb cleaner. Ran the engine to warm it up, then put it in gear at about 2000 rpm and for the next 7 minutes sprayed the Seafoam into the carb. The engine was definitely running better by the time I was done. Waited 10 minutes and then ran the engine to see if I could recreate the issue.
The engine seemed to be much more responsive and idled better. However after running wide open for a couple of minutes I got a few pops through the carb and then it started with the surging issue. What I mean by surging is that the engine starts to bog for a second or two and then goes back up to the expected rpm. Once it starts it will do this repeatedly until it bogs down enough to stall out. If I pull back on the throttle things seem OK. When the engine is cold it runs great, gets up on plane and runs like it always has but after a few minutes the bogging/surging issue returns. All the time the oil pressure and temp seem fine.
Anyone have any ideas as what to check next? I'm really at a loss at this point and would hate to take it in to be looked at if it's a simple issue. I did video the engine and can post it somewhere if it would help to diagnose the problem.
Thanks!
Dana
I brought it home and figured it may be due to the old gas. So I siphoned out all the gas until the tank was empty. I replaced the fuel filter and put in premium. Also found that the electric choke unit was loose. Took it apart and tightened it up and set the choke to be a little more open when cold. Took it out again with the same result. So I went and picked up some Seafoam for the gas and a can of their spray in carb cleaner. Ran the engine to warm it up, then put it in gear at about 2000 rpm and for the next 7 minutes sprayed the Seafoam into the carb. The engine was definitely running better by the time I was done. Waited 10 minutes and then ran the engine to see if I could recreate the issue.
The engine seemed to be much more responsive and idled better. However after running wide open for a couple of minutes I got a few pops through the carb and then it started with the surging issue. What I mean by surging is that the engine starts to bog for a second or two and then goes back up to the expected rpm. Once it starts it will do this repeatedly until it bogs down enough to stall out. If I pull back on the throttle things seem OK. When the engine is cold it runs great, gets up on plane and runs like it always has but after a few minutes the bogging/surging issue returns. All the time the oil pressure and temp seem fine.
Anyone have any ideas as what to check next? I'm really at a loss at this point and would hate to take it in to be looked at if it's a simple issue. I did video the engine and can post it somewhere if it would help to diagnose the problem.
Thanks!
Dana
