Engine Woes

[whale]

Well, I went out flukin' yesterday and today and ran into an engine problem. Being a relative newbie to owning a boat I am not well versed in outboard diagnosis. Thought I'd get some ideas first before I decide if I need to bring it to a pro.

On the way out yesterday , the motor (Johnson 115 hp) was running fine for about 5 miles. All of a sudden it started bogging down a bit and eventually it was in a sort of permanent bog down. It would run but the tach was up and down. Every once in a while it would catch and start to rev and run OK for a few seconds. Well, I was almost where I wanted to be so we limped there and drifted for fluke. Then, when I went to reposition, it ran fine every time after that. It ran fine all the way home (10 miles) also.

Along the way I had disconnected one of the 2 fuel filters I had inline and thought that the 2 filters was too much and restricting fuel flow. So, I thought everything was fine and headed out again today.

Well, same story, different day. Ran fine for a while then bogged down. After drifting for a while, it ran every time after that and all the way back to the slip.

So, it seems like a fuel flow issue but then it will run fine after sitting for a while. Any chance it is just spark plugs? I realized I didn't change them before this season. Any other ideas? The boat is in a slip so I didn't have a chance to try anything yet. It is also tough to troubleshoot due to the intermittent nature of the issue.

Please help!!

[THEFERMANATOR]

Have you removed the filters and checked them for water yet? Water can cause what you describe in there as water is to large of a molecule to pass through the element. Check your filters first. Also, was your primer bulb sucking together when this was happening?

[whale]

The racor filter has the clear bowl and there is no water in it. The boat has a new fuel tank this season so the gas is all pretty fresh (unless it came from the pump with water). The primer bulb looked normal. I found it peculiar that it ran fine both days on the way home after drifting with the motor not running for a while.

[Stillrunning]

I would still drain the sep. to see what you get.

[Blue_Runner]

Was the primer bulb nice and firm during the issue? Have a buddy squeeze the bulb while the problem is occurring to see if it clears it up.

Its entirely possible that the primer bulb ITSELF could be the problem. Check it real good for signs of dry rot (like cracks).

[whale]

When I changed the fuel tank in the offseason, I installed all new lines and a new primer bulb. Unless the bulb is faulty.....

[whale]

Willy.....just and update in response to your inquiry on my other post. I have been away on vacation and motor has been untouched. On Wednesday I went by and checked a few things. I noticed the primer bulb all sucked in but after sitting 2 weeks that might be normal?? Anyway, I put on a new one. I also checked the vent line and it seemed OK. I checked the inline fuel filter that is on the motor and cleaned it. It is basically a conical screen that filters out particles where the fuel line enters the motor. There were a few bits in there but nothing that would obstruct fule flow. I took her out for a short run and it ran fine for about 20 minutes but it is tough to know as the problem had cropped up both times after running for a while.

[willy]

Sounds like you are taking the right approach, good luck
When you run next and if you do experience the problem again go right to that fuel bulb and see what it is doing, squeeze it and see what it feels like.
If it feels like a strippers silicon boob you are good there, if it feels like a Sister Gilda tuck in the belt boob you know you got the problem with the bulb or a vacum type leak in the line

[Carl]

I have no idea what the problem is, but I do like Willy's description !!!

Originally Posted by willy

If it feels like a strippers silicon boob you are good there ...

Carl

[willy]

I've been told I have a gift Carl, not sure what Ozzie meant but that is what he said.