Winnipesaukee Forum - View Single Post

bigdog · 07-29-2009, 08:43 PM

Hi....

My engine stalling problem, has reared it's ugly head again today !
Thought I had this problem cured, guess not.

At the beginning of the season, at the advise of 'JST_4_KIKS', I completely drained my gas tank, all 35 gallons. (BTW, I used all this gas in 3 different cars, without any issues).

I then filled tank with 89 Octane, and added a can of 'Seafoam'. Because of the lousy weather this summer I've only been able to get boat on water a couple of times. On each occasion, we only ran the boat out for about 30 minutes, during which we usually take a swim, have lunch, then return to
to the boat ramp. Only ran the boat around half-speed, but seemed to run smooth w/o stalling, coughing, or backfiring.

Well, today I took boat out for a short run. We ran boat for only about
15 min did our routine (lunch and swim), then pulled anchor to take a short ride. After a couple minutes the boat started to cough sputter, and backfire, and I started to loose power. Turned boat around and headed back to boat ramp. Got back to ramp ok, but stalled twice in lesss than 1/4 mile.
Pulled boat out and parked boat back in yard.

I immediately got on the phone to the marine techs, the same which just replaced all my bellows and trim senders. Just picked up the boat Saturday !

Anyway, they had performed a complete Carb rebuild last season, because I had this same stalling problem back then. They said to me at the time that this was the problem, and probably caused by the ethanol gas, and have seen this issue many times with other customers. BTW, they didn't at the time test for any other causes, they just did the Card rebuild. Trusting their experience and knowledge I let them go ahead with the job, $300 !

After this was done, I only had one opportunity to use the boat before the end of last season. Again we probably only used for 30 minutes, 15 mi to get to our destination and 15 back ! It seemed to run OK, at least it didn't stall.

Today the marine techs, said it sounded to be spark related issue, and may be Distributor Cap, Rotor and/or Timing? Sounds like at this point they may just be guessing?

Again, I can run the engine in my yard on the motor-muffs forever, without the engine stalling, or backfiring. And rev-it without hesitation.

Very Frustrated and just want to get to the bottom of the problem, so I can spend some quality time boating with what's left of the summer.

Your comments and suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks,
Bigdog

07-29-2009, 08:43 PM	#36
bigdog Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Central MA-Gilford Posts: 1,447 Thanks: 342 Thanked 119 Times in 96 Posts	Engine stalling problem 'AGAIN' Hi.... My engine stalling problem, has reared it's ugly head again today ! Thought I had this problem cured, guess not. At the beginning of the season, at the advise of 'JST_4_KIKS', I completely drained my gas tank, all 35 gallons. (BTW, I used all this gas in 3 different cars, without any issues). I then filled tank with 89 Octane, and added a can of 'Seafoam'. Because of the lousy weather this summer I've only been able to get boat on water a couple of times. On each occasion, we only ran the boat out for about 30 minutes, during which we usually take a swim, have lunch, then return to to the boat ramp. Only ran the boat around half-speed, but seemed to run smooth w/o stalling, coughing, or backfiring. Well, today I took boat out for a short run. We ran boat for only about 15 min did our routine (lunch and swim), then pulled anchor to take a short ride. After a couple minutes the boat started to cough sputter, and backfire, and I started to loose power. Turned boat around and headed back to boat ramp. Got back to ramp ok, but stalled twice in lesss than 1/4 mile. Pulled boat out and parked boat back in yard. I immediately got on the phone to the marine techs, the same which just replaced all my bellows and trim senders. Just picked up the boat Saturday ! Anyway, they had performed a complete Carb rebuild last season, because I had this same stalling problem back then. They said to me at the time that this was the problem, and probably caused by the ethanol gas, and have seen this issue many times with other customers. BTW, they didn't at the time test for any other causes, they just did the Card rebuild. Trusting their experience and knowledge I let them go ahead with the job, $300 ! After this was done, I only had one opportunity to use the boat before the end of last season. Again we probably only used for 30 minutes, 15 mi to get to our destination and 15 back ! It seemed to run OK, at least it didn't stall. Today the marine techs, said it sounded to be spark related issue, and may be Distributor Cap, Rotor and/or Timing? Sounds like at this point they may just be guessing? Again, I can run the engine in my yard on the motor-muffs forever, without the engine stalling, or backfiring. And rev-it without hesitation. Very Frustrated and just want to get to the bottom of the problem, so I can spend some quality time boating with what's left of the summer. Your comments and suggestions are appreciated. Thanks, Bigdog