Stalling out at Low Idle

[stripminer]

All,

I have been trying to troll with my 1988 Yamaha 130 outboard and it has been stalling out on me like crazy. Not a lot of fun when you're close to rocks and the breeze is pushing towards them with no power.
Every time she stalls I can bring her back to life by squeezing the ball, which is markedly softer than it had been. I just replaced the coupling to the engine as the old one was cracked. No dice, she still stalls at idle or very slow speeds.
I haven't changed the plugs yet this year and she sat under a tarp last year. At speed I have no problems, she runs fine. I just can't troll and I really want to troll.
The fuel lines are all original, as is the ball. Any ideas would be appreciated. I am at a loss.

- Tom

[cbe317]

sounds like you are losing your fuel prime. *next thing i would do is replace the primer bulb. *they do go bad after a while(cracks, etc.) *that is a common problem(most often times overlooked). *if that doesnt do it then check fuel filter, and water separator if you have one. *if the engine runs fine except when idling then more than likely it is in the fuel delivery. also, make sure all fittings and clamps in the fuel line are tight.
hope this helps.

C.

[macojoe]

Yea what he said!!

Also there is a little rubber O ring on the coupler were the fuel line connects to the engin, they can go and cause the same problem.

All else fails what is the Tac saying at idle?? I have got mine down to 600 so I can troll, any lower then that I will stall. I have 1989 175 Yamaha

[chumbucket]

Remove your hose from the filter or the tank. Whichever is the closest just before the primer bulb. Stick that end in a five or six gallon gas can and run it that way. This will at least tell you which direction (ie; before or after the point of the disconnected hose) to work in. It'll save a lot of time and some guessing too. If it still stalls drawing from the portable tank, work your way towards the motor starting with the primer bulb. Otherwise, work your way back towards the tank starting with the water separater filter (which you should have if you don't already).
G'luck :)

[stripminer]

I replaced the coupler to the engine as there was a pin hole in the old one. I thought I found my problem with that but nope. I am working my way backwards from the engine.
I will try the 6 gallon tank routine as that takes all the guess work out of it, fuel, anti siphon valve etc.
Part of me wonders if I am asking my engine to do the impossible, I have been running it "just" in gear in an attempt to go about 1.7 MPH ( my tach crapped out years ago, sorry MJ ) Is it possible to run "too slow" with a v4 130 ?? I would think you should be able to stay barely in gear. Please let me know if you disagree.
The good news is I actually have my wife sold on getting a new outboard for my V20. After all its the ultimate hull, engines come and go, right ? Any suggestions on a new engine?,, money matters, you have a working man here.

- Tom

[macojoe]

well going the 6 gal can should help ya figure things out !!
I have mine to 600 rpm and that is reel slow!! But I still have to go in and out with the shifter to stay at a good
trolling speed. But any lower I would be stalling easy!

As for a new motor, I think I am safe in saying we are all working guys here!! I no i am :-[

I got a great deal IMO on a 1989 175 Yamaha I bought it 2 years ago for $1800 with all controls, and wires cables and all in one Tac.
The guy who sold it to me has moved from the area now and was Marine Mech. And rebuilt mostly Yamaha's
I had a small poblem with the oil injection that I have just fixed for $180
Oter then that it has been a great motor so far!! I love Johnson motors as that is the last 2 motors I had on the old boat. I switched to I/O when I bought this boat and was the worst mistake I ever made!!
This Yamaha has been great, it starts everytime!! and isn't to bad on gas eaither!!
I can catch Stripers all day in Chatam on 12 gal gas! I fish the Vinyard and thats a little bit if a haul bt can do a all dayer out there with less then 20 gal (16 to 18)

Any who I would stay with a 150 hp with what ever you buy. This is the best all around motor for this boat!! I have a 175 as that is all I could find at the time, I was looking for a 150.

[cbe317]

anybody ever use a drogue to slow down your trolling speed?

[reelapeelin]

I would think your motor should keep runnin' at idle if everything's right...if not then some thing's wrong...I've heard this before with Yammies(come to think of it, I've heard it w/all of 'em)...bottom line...if it won't idle, something's wrong...replace that O- ring MJ mentioned

I just put a new Honda 150 on mine...tried several props...Mirage Plus(Mercury) 15 1/2" 17 pitch got it all...hole shot, mid-range and top end...light load 5800 at 39.9mph on GPS...big prop, got ears on it like a hound dog...

[reelapeelin]

Oh yeah...we drag one or two 5-gal buckets to slow troll...each one slows boat 1/2 mph...cleans the bucket out real good, too...

[Seakindly]

Strip, In NY, this year, they removed the MTBE from the gas and added 10% alcohol. This has caused all kinds of fuel related issues. Everything from deteriorated primer bulbs, fuel pumps, seals etc., as well as clogged up filters and carbs from the alcohol putting tank sludge into solution. This has been a nightmare or a dream, depending on which side of the screw you are sittin on.

Did they do this in Connecticut??

If so, remove, replace, repair, clean out, racor up.

Buy a Yamaha 9.9 high thrust kicker and run it off a portable tank while you do this. Troll with it, and use it to get you home if need be.

When your mess is cleaned sell the 130 and buy a new or late model Yamaha carbed 150 2-stroke at a great price from someone who bought into the Yamaha 150 4 stroke fever.

That's what I would do, anyway.

[stripminer]

CT went to Ethanol as well, the guy at the gas dock told me it has been a horror story with folks owning older outboards. I would love to buy a new 150 and the boat yard has a completely rebuilt 2002 for sale.
My engine is running pretty good at speed and last night I dragged two 5 gallon buckets at a slightly higher RPM and had no stalls at all.
My question now is,, do they newer engines handle the ethanol additive better ? Seakindly why is it a horror for some and a boon for others and what is Racor up ??

- Tom

[Seakindly]

Horror show for all boatowners, both new and old motors.
Good friend of Jaysea repowered with twin 2004 225 yamaha efis for about 40,000 bucks and knocked them out with the first tank of gas cause of the crud the alcohol brought up out of his tank.

Been great for mechanics, and the guys who sell fuel tanks, hoses and the best fuel filters - racors.

I would not be in a rush to put a new motor on my boat if I were you. Wait until the alcohol cleans up your tank and hoses. Expect your rubber components in the fuel flow to be destroyed from the alcohol.
Hint - check the fuel pumps on your motor.