'87 XR2 150 Uneven Running

croSSed

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 13, 2005
Messages
249
This is a carebureted 2.0L 150. When I put it away at the end of the season last year it was running perfectly. I winterized it (drained the carbs, fogged the cyls., put stabilizer in the gas before the last time I ran it), but when I pulled it out to run it this season I find it misses at idle and displacement speeds with occasionaly "sneezing" back through one or more carbs indicating a lean condition, runs uneven (surges) at slow cruising/planing speeds (around 3000 rpm), but it surges HORRIBLY at fast cruise speeds (around 4000 rpm), and runs fine at high speed, i.e., full throttle. What is going on here? Is this a plugged idle jet? Plugged up water separating fuel filter? Need new plugs? It's been a couple of seasons since I replaced those, but on the other hand my boat doesn't get much use in the "on" season because we have such cold, crummy weather so much of the time in the PNW. Thanks for any help!
 

jigmister

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Dec 25, 2007
Messages
203
Re: '87 XR2 150 Uneven Running

start with a compression check. Then check for spark on all cylinders. if you have good spark on all cylinders at idle as its running poor move to the carbs.

The way you describe the problem it sounds alot like what I had when the stator was bad.

do you have a DVA meter?
 

croSSed

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 13, 2005
Messages
249
Re: '87 XR2 150 Uneven Running

I just got done removing all the jets, cleaning them, blowing everything out with compressed air, etc. I didn't see anything wrong. The jets looked real clean, shiny, bright brass. I also replaced the plugs and the water separating fuel filter. I am not confident I solved anything. Will take to lake tomorrow to see how well it runs.
 
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