Rough water, not running right anymore

dfwyatt

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 22, 2005
Messages
35
1989 Sea Ray Seville, 4.3L Mercruiser, Alpha 1<br /><br />So I was on the lake the other day with about 4 foot waves, going slowly back to the boat launch to take my boat out of the water. The boat was bouncing around quite a bit, and right before I got to the boat launch it sputtered and lost a lot of power. I idled for a minute and then everything seemed to be fine. <br /><br />Since then, Back on another lake much clamer, the boat seems to, for one, take longer to warm up almost, for example, if i let it run for about 5 mintues and then try to throttle up, it bogs unless I slowly giveit gas, or just hammer it. It seems like it revs to about 2000rpms then sputters, and I back off all the way and it catches itself.<br /><br />I wasn't thinking much of in until today, when I was idling through some narrows and it just died. It had never just died ever idling before, so i figured something must be up, it is not running like it did before the bouncing. <br /><br />Very recent Rotor, cap, wires, plugs. <br /><br />Could my float level be messed up, fuel pump going? Any ideas ?
 

Wotknot

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 6, 2002
Messages
310
Re: Rough water, not running right anymore

Could my float level be messed up, fuel pump going? Any ideas ?
Yes and yes.<br />Water separator needs changing, water and/or sediment in the tank, crap in the carb.<br />Some of the more knowlegable guys may chime in with more possibilities.
 

Buttanic

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 25, 2003
Messages
711
Re: Rough water, not running right anymore

Bouncing around could have caused the fuel pump to pick up some water and crud from the bottom of the tank.
 

pine island fred

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Dec 20, 2002
Messages
1,144
Re: Rough water, not running right anymore

Consider installing a filter/water seperator made by RACOR. Clear plastic bowl on the bottom with a drain valve. Mount it high enough to get a small container underneath to drain the water. Cost a few bucks but well worth it. You can see the water before it gets to the engine. regards fred
 

dfwyatt

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Feb 22, 2005
Messages
35
Re: Rough water, not running right anymore

Hey guys, thanks. I think i am going to take the carb apart and try that fuel seperator. Thanks. Let me know if there is something else that it may be that we are missing!
 

Buttanic

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Sep 25, 2003
Messages
711
Re: Rough water, not running right anymore

I don't believe the clear plastic bowl is approved for gasoline, just diesel.
 

imported_scott_m

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Oct 24, 2004
Messages
139
Re: Rough water, not running right anymore

Actually, the clear plastic bowl is not approved for gasoline in an enclosed space, although I think it would be legal if mounted out in the open - although that would not be a great place for it either. I'd say you stirred up some crud...likely water from the bottom of the tank. Change your water seperating fuel filter. They're only about 6 bucks.
 
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