1996 V-4 88 SPL is starting to...

[mjrkrash]

get the better of me. Thanks all to previous replies, hopefully this post and it's responses will get me going.

I have replaced head gaskets, water jacket gaskets, finished rebuilding the dual carbs. (although one of the core plugs I got in the sierra kit was a little small and would not seat easily w/o some persuasion), Coils are new as well as plugs and wires. All new fuel lines, filer and bulb. (and tank vents are clear)

Took it out on the Bering Sea last night for a short test run, initial ignition sounded good then after about 30 seconds I could hear the RPMS lower as if there was a starving of fuel issue. No misses or sneezes, I ran it for about 2 minutes with that feeling of power loss, no kick - kind of sluggish, so I trailered up and inspected the plugs. Cylinder 1 and 3 (upper and lower on the starboard side) were VERY lean (damn near white) 2 and 4 were great.

Right after this post, I am re-inspecting the carbs, checking to see if that core plug fell out and re-checking the float level adjustments. I have a spare power pack going on and another spark / compression test.

If anyone has some other ideas, please feel free to toss them my way.

Thanks again.

 

[ezeke]

Re: 1996 V-4 88 SPL is starting to...

Sounds as though your new starboard head gasket may not have sealed. Did you re-torque the cylinder heads after the initial warm-up?

Make sure that the carburetor to intake manifold nuts are tight so there is no air leak

 

[mjrkrash]

Re: 1996 V-4 88 SPL is starting to...

Well... removed the carbs and it seems that I did not place the spring clip on properly to the float and needle. Sure enough it came off and was resting in the bottom of the float chamber (aaargh) I also took the time to inspect all the orifices and intakes.

I've reassembled and a quick fire up sounded promising. (as they almost always do) Heading out the to water later today.

I did not re torque after warm up yesterday, forgot about it while scratching my head in a momentary lapse of reason. After warm up today I WILL re torque and post results later.

Thanks again.

 

[mjrkrash]

Re: 1996 V-4 88 SPL is starting to...

Well after a few hours of trying this and that via the service manual I am stuck. The engine idles well OUT of the water, once it starts sucking water though it bogs down. While it's bogging down, I can tilt the motor out of the water and as the water intake clears the water, the RPMS go back up.
Did this for a few minutes over and over with the same results.

I re tourqed the head bolts to spec, they are good. No leaks in the gaskets that I can see. Pretty happy with that job.

I did notice that the recirc tube was off on the starboard side, leaking a small amount of premix near the rectifier. I've replaced that.

Anyone have any thoughts or ideas on this? THinking I should walk away for a few days and start again.

Great weekend all. Thanks.