Back fires at high rpms

sebas54

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 17, 2007
Messages
334
Hi, I have a 1987 gm 4.3l merc. I/O. Two barrel carb. that I just rebuilt.

Today I took the boat for a test drive and it ran good except at high rpms it would backfire or make a noise and the rpm gauge would tick up or down 1 rpm.

Could the adjustment screw cause this on the carb? I just sort of screwed it in.

Also when going over wave or wakes it sounded like it was losing power. this only happened sometime as well with the backfire noise.

This only happenes when the boat was under load; in neutral it runs fine.

I have recently replaced the fuel pump, fuel filter, water separator and other things. I tested it for blockage in the fuel system and there was non. i also tested for a vacum leak and there was non.


Thanks.
 

mkast

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 6, 2002
Messages
1,934
Re: Back fires at high rpms

Backfire through the carburetor is usually a lean fuel condition.
 

Bt Doctur

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Aug 29, 2004
Messages
19,343
Re: Back fires at high rpms

And this happens at what RPM?
intake popping can be a valve, valve adjustment, a lean fuel condition.
The idle mix screw should have no effect past idle speed.
 

sebas54

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 17, 2007
Messages
334
Re: Back fires at high rpms

3500-3900 rpms. Can I diagnose this myself. This didn't start happening till I rebuilt the carb.

Thanks
 

mkast

Lieutenant Commander
Joined
Nov 6, 2002
Messages
1,934
Re: Back fires at high rpms

How accurate is the float set.
Low float condition will lead to a lean condition at high RPM.
 

sebas54

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 17, 2007
Messages
334
Re: Back fires at high rpms

I got it very close. It was off by 1mm. Is that enough to make it run lean?

Thanks again!!
 

sebas54

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 17, 2007
Messages
334
Re: Back fires at high rpms

When I removed the carb the float level had a solid needle. I installed a spring needle. Can this be the reason. I also adjusted the levels according to the spring needle.
 

sebas54

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jun 17, 2007
Messages
334
Re: Back fires at high rpms

Any ideas???
After rebuilding my carb. I have experienced lean conditions. I installed a spring needle and set the adjustments on the float for the spring needle. When i remove the old needle it was solid needle. Is this my problem??
 

danond

Lieutenant Junior Grade
Joined
Jun 11, 2007
Messages
1,118
Re: Back fires at high rpms

You should stick with one thread :)
 
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