What went wrong with 150 XR2

hillclimber61 · Sep 25, 2004

Have 1984 XR2 150 on a ranger bass boat. When I launch it at the lake it takes too long to get on plane. This happens only at the begining of day Once it gets up, the rest of the day its better. It has a small delay but its better. The boat used to get up right away. Prop is good. Engine has no damage. This has been happening each time I go out. I've changed the spark plugs and it got better but still really bad at first throttle up. What kind of spark plus should I be using. Installed are BU8H.. Book calls for BUHW. What is the differece if any thanks, Fred

PierBridge · Sep 26, 2004

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

Sounds like she's a little cold blooded. It could be any thing. Fuel pump or filters.? Maybe someone smarter could chime in on this. welcome to iboats.

PierBridge · Sep 26, 2004

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

Could be a bad thermostat.... http://www.iboats.com/cgi-bin/ubb/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=29;t=009029

chumbucket · Sep 27, 2004

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

Semi, I use BUHW in my 82 150 ,seem's to work ok.

BF · Sep 27, 2004

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

My first guess is that it's running a little on the lean side, and that it causes a hesitation/hiccup that's most noticable when the engine's cold. Maybe try running some seafoam through it (add to a couple gallons of gas), it could just be a bit of varnish in low speed carb circuits.. if that doesn't do it, then I'd start going through the fuel system for real. My 150 had a hesitation earlier this season... cleared up after seafoam treatment, so I didn't bother messing with the carbs. Good luck.

hillclimber61 · Jan 29, 2005

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

thanks for everyone's info I've changed the spark plugs again Pulled the carbs off and cleaned them. Checked all those small holes in carbs and the carbs looked really good. This thing is really bugging me. It only happens at 1st start up It took about 5 minutes to get on plane. It starts fine, idles without stall. Put it at full throttle to get on plane and it stays at 2000 rpms. Soon after 3000 then 4000. Once I plane she is good to go.... Until my next fishing trip Anyone have a possible cure or if they want me to try anything thanks Fred

rodbolt · Jan 29, 2005

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

rebuild the fuel pump. also test the switchbox output. as switch boxs fail they some times will cause a loss of spark on a cyl or two when cold. if the fuel pump is weak it will allow the fuel bowls to get low on fuel at idle. after a warm up period and a short idle away from the landing the carbs may just be out of gas. a quick check is to idle out to where your normally plane it and just before throttling up squeeze the fuel primer till hard then nail it. but the pumps need to be rebuilt periodicaly. I do my customers every 3 years or so as a maint item.

CU2NITE · Jan 29, 2005

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

If I had to bet on it I would say as Rodbolt did that it may be a weak switchbox, but just a shot in the dark, you might try starting you motor with ears on after dark, take the cowl off and look at the coils and the spark plug wires and see if your seeing spark arking over to the block. This will cause a loss in power. I had a similar problem, couldn't figure it out until I noticed spark arking, changed the spark plug wires and she perked right up. Good luck and let us know. CU ------------------- RUNNING THE MOTOR WHILE LISTENING TO THE HORN WILL MAKE YOU MORN!!

KCLOST · Jan 29, 2005

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

I addition to spark check, ensure all the fuel filters and the water separator are clear.... Let us know...

hillclimber61 · Jan 29, 2005

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

thanks for all the good info I tried to pump the bulb while it was acting up the last time I went out. I started engine, idled to main area and pumped the bulb. It did the same thing. I also replaced the fuel filter/water separater. I will check the wires Is there a way to check the switch boxes ? thanks Fred

rodbolt · Jan 29, 2005

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

the only way to test them is with a peak reading mulimeter. and the test must be performed while the engine is missing. once its running ok there is nothing to test. also check all the ign coil grounds. loosen the ground bolts and retighten them.

hillclimber61 · Jan 29, 2005

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

Also,what is the difference between BU8H and BUHW spark plugs. I took it for a check up about 7 years ago and they put BU8H plugs in the motor Been putting the same in it since . Reading the maintenance manual it calls for BUHW. Is that okay thanks, Fred

hillclimber61 · Jan 29, 2005

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

I'll rebuild the fuel pump and check the coils / wires. I'll let you know thanks again

KCLOST · Jan 30, 2005

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

copy from another post semi, The first and easiest thing to check is the spark on all the cylinders.... Run the engine on the muffs at idle... Use a spark gap tester which you can buy at any auto parts store for around $10....Set the tester on one lead to the plug at a time before starting the motor. And set the gap at 1/4"-3/8" for starters... The gap tester allows you to test each lead and still have it grounded to the plug.. If the spark is strong enough it will jump the gap and you can see it easily without shocking the hell out of yourself by doing this the old fasioned way... Switchboxes have been known to go in and out of operation with changes in temperature... So this may be the cause of your problem... So checking the spark at cold/idle conditions is my best recommendation...And I should add, that a weak spark can also cause your problem at lower rpms... A weak spark can be related to something besides the switchbox, but we will get to that later. Let us know what spark intensities you have on each. If you have only one cylinder not firing, it's very possible the boat will not get on plane... I have a Ranger 371V that "barely" got on plane with only one cylinder not firing... If we check the spark first we will know if it's electrical or not, if the firing is ok, we will then need to check compression and fuel... Fuel/air+compression+spark=combustion

KCLOST · Jan 30, 2005

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

Not sure about the plugs.... But I would stay with what the manual suggests....

hillclimber61 · Feb 1, 2005

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

KClost, So far this is have I have. Engine cold 30 degrees Did a cylinder compression check and all six cylinders are at 105-110 psi Checked each coil for spark and found number 2 cylinder and number 6 cylinder no spark. Number 6 sparked at first but nothing after the first try. I know you already know this but number 2 cylinder is the right middle cylinder and number 6 is the left bottom All cylinders that are sparking have a white to bluish spark. I did the cylinder compression and spark test with the boat on the trailer with the spark plugs removed. I did not start the engine. let me know Fred

hillclimber61 · Feb 1, 2005

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

also performed resistance test on all coils. all coil had a reading of 867-879 ohms repair manual's window is 800-1100 thanks, Fred

marinegrh · Feb 1, 2005

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

same,motor same problem, bad switch box grounding out 2 cylinders when cold, warm she ran like a rap......well you get it good luck

hillclimber61 · Feb 26, 2005

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

I want to thank each one that helped solve this problem. I had bad switch boxes. Put new switch boxes on and went out in cold weather Got on plane thanks Fred

LubeDude · Feb 26, 2005

Re: What went wrong with 150 XR2

Thank you for letting us know, only too aften we get left in the dark.

What went wrong with 150 XR2

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