1994 omc planing problems...

[HSBarker81]

Everytime I have had a problem, you guys have helped me fix it...so lets try a new one.


My 1994 Seaswirl Striper 22.5' w/ OMC Cobra 5.0 is having problems getting up on plane. Sometimes it will get up, but other times i Can run it wide open and it will barely move and point upward in the water. This is with the tilt adjusted as far down as it will go and the rpm's during this time are 3k or less. The boat will get up to 4500 at WOT when on plane, but the problem is getting it on plane. It's always been sluggish, but I assumed this to be due to the size and weight of the boat. It's heavy and it has deep sides.

Here are the things I think could be causing my problem.

1) My prop is bent up and nicked up. the main body of it seems fine and most of the fins are there just the edges are rough. Could this cause my problem all in itself?

2) The boat doesn't have hydraulic stabilizers. Would the purchase and installation of these solve the problem and make it easier to get on plane, or are they more for once the boat is up and running on plane?

3) The gas in the boat is around a year old...the tank has been full the whole time, but I hadn't ran the boat in around a year.

4) I went out on a friend's boat the other day and his boat revved fine in neutral, but when in gear he couldn't get 2500 rpms...his problem turned out to be a plug wire and his boat will now run 4500 rpms without problem... Is this possibly my problem?

I'm not sure what could be causing me this headache, but I hope that some of you have some helpful insight...

Thanks for your time,

Harley

 

[Reel Poor]

Re: 1994 omc planing problems...

Here are a few things to check first.

 

[HSBarker81]

Re: 1994 omc planing problems...

Thanks for the timely response.

The old fuel thing is a possibilty for sure.

The prop definately has some bent and nicked blades.

There is some excess oil in the motor.

No growth on anything at all.

The flame arrestor seems fine...

The exhaust thing is a definate red flag for me. When I first bought the boat, it wouldn't go up on plane for anything. The exhaust flaps had rusted and corroded and fallen down into the bottom of the drive. After fixing this, it was a whole lot better about getting onto plane. I had them replaced though. Could they go bad in less than a years time?

The cylinder compression I will have to check once the weather clears up. I wish I had a garage for working on my boat .

What is the vertical gear drive ratio?

Operating at or below sea level...

The carb is the stock carb for the motor as per the book.

The fuel pressure and vaccum will be hard to test, but i guess I can try to figure something out.

The boat is rated for 11 people and I had 4...

Engine temp stays below 140 since I've had the risers and manifolds replaced...

Engine timing is definately something I want to check. Points are a pain in the ass though.

What does the last line mean?


I'm questioning a lot of the problems because the motor will rev fine in the neutral gear. Its when its in the water under a load that it has this problem. The nose points so high upward that it is hard to steer even. I wonder if it is possible that in running the trim all the way down, I am restricting the exhaust hose?

If anyone else has any insight or has had similar problems, please jump in as well

Thanks again,
Harley

 

[HSBarker81]

Re: 1994 omc planing problems...

oh yeah...and the anti-siphon valve is what and where?

 

[searay3]

Re: 1994 omc planing problems...

As far as the post from reel, move the tuneup part to the top of the list. Next would be fuel, if it's trash, won't run. Then follow the list. Anti-siphon is where the fuel line meets the tank. A one way valve that sometimes gets crudded up. The last item on the list refers to making sure the throttle and shift cables are working properly, not stretched, throttle plates opening all the way. Get the basics right and go from there....you'll need a manual for the right specs and procedures....

 

[HSBarker81]

Re: 1994 omc planing problems...

i have a seloc manual for the boat... thanks for your help guys

 

[stevieray]

Re: 1994 omc planing problems...

Hey, Barker - I would have a tendency to fix the prop first - sounds like the engine is running OK. You would be surprised at the performance degradation even a seemingly small amount of prop damage will cause. Existing prop may not even be the best spec for your boat. Search over on the prop forum & I'm sure you will get a starting point & make a post if you want specific help (be prepared to give lots of details).

 

[HSBarker81]

Re: 1994 omc planing problems...

Today when I got home from work, I noticed what appears to be outdrive gear oil coming out of the inlets for the water pick up. What would cause that?