Throttle up - Power down

[IRB_Tina]

Hi Guys,
I recently purchased a "Charlie Brown Christmas Tree" type boat, motor and trailer. The guy had it sitting for a while so I got it for a song and have been working on loving it back to good health.
It's a 1972 Orlando Clipper Tri-Hull with a 1988 Suzuki Cabrea (DT85) on it.

The issue is that when I took it out for it's 2nd trip, it started to die when I took it up to higher speeds. It idled fine and would putter along for you at a low speed but put the throttle forward and it dies. Gas was coming out of the 2nd carb too. When I first got it, I replaced/ repaired a bunch of the easy stuff to get the fuel system right: new tank and fuel line, need fuel filter, removed, cleaned and reinstalled the fuel pump (the diaphragms looked fine...no tears or wear spots). I also replaced the spark plugs.
It definitely runs smoother now...just can't go fast!
I'm getting ready to take out the carbs, tear them down, clean and rebuild them. Should I be looking at anything else?

Thanks for looking at my long-winded 1st post!
IRB_Tina

 

[david_r]

Re: Throttle up - Power down

welcome to iboats!!!

sounds to me like you are on the right track with the carbs.... a good cleaning and a new kit will solve your #2 carb for sure.

i would also install a water/fuel separator if you do not already have one.

also a spark test and comp test would give you a good idea of the condition.

you can also use a car timing light while underway to see if any cyls are dropping out during the prob rpms.... just move it from one wire to the next as you test them, all you are looking for is a flash to make sure it is firing.

here is a link that will help you a lot http://forums.iboats.com/forumdisplay.php?f=31

 

[waffles1]

Re: Throttle up - Power down

Hi IRB_Tina,
It difinitely sounds like carb issues. I have the same motor and love it. Take care of it and it will last long time. Put a seperator on it for sure and "ALWAYS" treat the gas with seafoam or marine stabil. It is relatively cheap and that is about 90% of issues with outboards because of our fine gas now a days. Good Luck.

 

[IRB_Tina]

Re: Throttle up - Power down

Thanks David and Waffles!
I cleaned all 3 carbs and used a rebuilt kit on one of them (I'm a doofus and only bought 1 kit...I have 2 more on order now). I took the boat out and it ran like a champ for about 15 minutes....even at a pretty high speed. Then it died on me again. It'll start and idle and will even putt along if I just barely drop it into gear but the minute I try to throttle up it quits on me.
When I get my 2 other kits, I'll replace the needles and needle seats in the other 2 carbs (all 3 of them have been cleaned but I'll probably do it again just for good measure). Hopefully that'll make a difference.
I think the pilot air screws are off of spec too...just looked up those settings this evening. Don't know if that'll have much of an effect but we'll see.

The Water seperator project is next on the list. The timing and compression tests sound a little intimidating.

Thanks again for your help!

IRB_Tina