engine stalling in no wake zones

[hammmann]

My mercruiser 470 /170 horsepower engine stalls at a low speed it runs fine at a higher throttle but stalls in no wake zones it always restarts but im afraid of it wearing out the starter. this is my first boat and i am trying to learn as much about it as possible but am somewhat stumped. I think it maybe has to due with the carberator? thanks

 

[JB]

Re: engine stalling in no wake zones

Moving to I/O and Inboard Questions.

 

[mvaughn]

Re: engine stalling in no wake zones

I would check the timing, sounds like it may need to be advance a few degrees. Of course, advancing the timing will slightly increase you idle speed. If it matters to you ??

 

[DJ]

Re: engine stalling in no wake zones

hamm,<br /><br />What is your idle speed-in gear, warm engine?

 

[hammmann]

Re: engine stalling in no wake zones

The marina i had it at says i need a rebuilt carb. i think they are trying to take me for a ride. my uncle already looked at the timing chain (he's a car guy) and said its ok he thinks it may be the screws in it or something ?<br />it s rpm' s jump around 1500 to 0 when the engine is warmed up

 

[DJP]

Re: engine stalling in no wake zones

How bout starting with a fresh tune. Like new plugs especially, then mess with the timing, and /or carburation. Old plugs and or mis-matched plugs (i've seen alot of morons who think a spark plug is a spark plug and any will work, as long as they match physically) are a frequent contributor to your problem. Plus it is a cheap fix. Why would someone look at the timing chain, that's kind of an extreme attempt at a solution without first checking other smaller items. Screws ? What screws, be aware of the screws around you first, your problem is not complicated. A carburator rebuild MAY be necessary, then again it may not. Look for smaller things first.

 

[hammmann]

Re: engine stalling in no wake zones

plugs were the first thing i changed i got the correct ones and i tested them all. i also changed the oil at the same time. it sounds like it is flooding out. i can hear/feel it starting to quit and i have to gun it a little i hate to go down long channels if it is busy untill i get this fixed.

 

[DJP]

Re: engine stalling in no wake zones

What kind of choke does it have ? Manual or electric ? Where was the boat b4 you bought it, how many hours ?, is the engine compartment clean. How about the spark arrestor what does it look like ? If all of these other variables are to your satisfaction, then yes I would conclude a carburation problem. Rebuilding a carburator is quite a simple task and you really ought to consider that before investing in another, unless you prefer to not undertake that process. I would however recommend upon purchasing a rebuild, that you request a Holley, vs. Rochester Quadrjunk or a Carter. If in fact you do not have a Holley on board now. Setting the idle screw and / or recalibrating the timing is a good idea prior to a new carb, however a change in idle speed probably won't help your problem, unless it not set at all.

 

[B_Eager]

Re: engine stalling in no wake zones

By any chance would that have a metal fuel line coming up the back of the motor going to the carburator from the fuel pump? If so, if you do not have a fuel filter just before the carburator. Don't even bother to rebuild the carburator, just replace it with a rebuilt.

 

[knowake]

Re: engine stalling in no wake zones

it sounds like you need a carb adjustment done by someone that knows what they are doing.<br />air to gas mixture is probly not set right easy fix let a mach do it with the right tools instead of letting to many hands in the pot

 

[hammmann]

Re: engine stalling in no wake zones

thanks to all whom gave me pointers. It does not have a metel line running to the carb but the marina owner turned the idle screw and now it is running much better. it no longer dies in a no wake zone. i guess when i had it in there to fix the bellows, the boot and the coolent system one of thier guys changed the idle speed. i did notice however that when i shift it into forward or reverse it kind of slams into gear.

 

[llerrad]

Re: engine stalling in no wake zones

If shift is slamming them idle is too high. To up the idle to beat the engine quitting is a cheat, your idle should be under 1000rpm like 750 or so check your manual for engine type spec's. You might be back to carb adjust or the post on choke. As engine age compression weakens and so is the ability to idle at low rpm's.

 

[SeaMasterZ@aol.com]

Re: engine stalling in no wake zones

have a buddy steer the boat while you adjust the idle in gear, its usually a screw on the linkage at the carb where the throttle linkage attaches ... get a manual, and a decent digital engine tester is under 50 bucks - usually 750 in gear, wont bang, wont stall<br /><br />good luck!

 

[dhammann]

Re: engine stalling in no wake zones

Hey Hammmann or is it Hammann caught my attention....sounds like a possible German relative

 

[horndog]

Re: engine stalling in no wake zones

did you fix it yet? Where in Illinois are you? I am up by gurnee, and if you need somebody to check it out, I have been trained the hard way on these motors... hehe!!