1989 3.7L Merc dies when coming out of the hole

[modicon2]

I've got a 1989 Wellcraft Classic 180 with 3.7L merc and alpha1.
The seems to run great when just cruising around but...
I've noticed that when I pull a skier and they fall, I circle around to bring them the rope....usallly put in neutral for ~30secs while they get the ski handle ready and then they yell go ahead....I lay into the throttle and the engine just chokes down and dies (basically boat never moves). It starts right back up and then takes off perfectly everytime.
The happend 25-30times last outing.
It seems that everytime that I sit and idle for 30 to 60 secs then give the throttle to pull an skier out....it goes misses/sputters/then dies, but everytime it after restarting it comes out of the hole perfect.

Any ideas???
Thanks!!!

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 1989 3.7L Merc dies when coming out of the hole

Water in the fuel.Jerry

 

[modicon2]

Re: 1989 3.7L Merc dies when coming out of the hole

I didn't think about a water in fuel issue b/c it only happens after idle for 30 seconds or so. I would think that water in fuel would so signs constantly?.

I guess I need to replace the water seperator filter....anything else?

thanks again!

 

[danond]

Re: 1989 3.7L Merc dies when coming out of the hole

Set the boat nose-high on the trailer, disconnect the fuel line at the carb, disconnect the coil wire and turn the engine over until you have some fuel in the cup. Don't overheat the starter.

Set the cup aside and see if it separates into fuel & water. If it does, you need to pump out your fuel tank until the water's gone. A fuel/water separator doesn't work when you're pumping 80% water (which, when fuel separates while sitting, you definitely could be doing).

 

[Don S]

Re: 1989 3.7L Merc dies when coming out of the hole

It may just be the engine is loding up due to needing a tuneup, needing a carb adjustment, choke improperly set or whatever.
After getting to neutral, bring the rpm's up to 12 or1500 and clear it out before you try to pull a skier again. It's a CARB, Not EFI.