'87 OMC 1.8 L Sea Drive

[seachest]

I believe this is the appropriate forum for posting since J & E took over OMC-I'm having a bizzare problem with performance - Recently, I replaced my below deck fuel supply line as I believe the original had an air leak. I filled the tank - went for a cruise and hit 30 MPH- Problem solved, right? NOPE - I went out today and started out hitting 23 MPH then it kept dying out dropping off revs until I could only barely maintain 8 MPH. I refilled the tank thinking that the pick up in the tank could have fractured. The acceleration is great from idle but it only lasts a few seconds and right back down to 8 MPH with erratic surges in power. The primer bulb remains rigid, the fuel/water seperator is brand new as well as the mentioned supply line. Carbs were cleaned one month ago as was the in line strainer.

I am at a total loss as I have always had old in-boards or I/O's. Can this be a problem with what I believe is refered to as a VRO? Do they act sporadically when going bad? Any direction/suggestions as to what to look at next will be most graciously welcomed.

Thank You in advance for your comments.

Bruce Wall
"Strange_Bru"

 

[boobie]

Re: '87 OMC 1.8 L Sea Drive

First thing I would do is look into the ignition system to see if it's firing properly.

 

[lmuss53]

Re: '87 OMC 1.8 L Sea Drive

If you haven't tried it pump the ball when it cuts out and see if it picks up. If it does suspect the fuel pump.

I would also try running it on a seperate portable tank, with someone else's hose if you can, to eliminate your new hose installation.

 

[seachest]

Re: '87 OMC 1.8 L Sea Drive

OK Guys - I hooked up a 6 Gal portable tank took her out and experienced the same loss of power - I got brave and took the cowling off (at dusk) checked the plug & coil wires and with the cowling still off got right up on plane (I really didn't find anything loose). But it only lasted a minute ot two - so I guess I'm still looking at 4 - 6 things - Install a brand new powerpack that I have onj hand, Coil breakdown (4 of them), Plug wire breakdown, Plug breakdown, and fuel pump. Going to work on the least expensive items first. As a last potential issue someone mentioned a possible problem with the stator -with fuel pump then stator as a last resort - I thank you for your assistance and if you have any other ideas that may fit the problem I am very receptive to them.

This is a great forum and everyone is most helpful. Especially since we are all in the same boat so to speak.

Respectfully,

Bruce W.
"Strange_Bru"
Green Island, NJ

 

[lmuss53]

Re: '87 OMC 1.8 L Sea Drive

Did you pump the ball when it lost power? Doing that will push fuel to the carbs. If it picks up when you do that it is probably a fuel pump, or fuel line, both pretty easy fixes IMO.

 

[JDusza]

Re: '87 OMC 1.8 L Sea Drive

seachest,
Couple things....
Fuel:
1 Remove the plugs so you do not start. Then, remove the fuel line at the carb, wrap in an old rag and spin the engine. Fuel pump should pump fuel into the rag.
2 If the engine runs for a while and then slows down, perhaps sticky float in the carb. The engine will run with fuel, drain the carb and the sticky float will not allow enough fuel in real time to keep it running at high speed. Letting it rest can give time for fuel to seep back into the carb bowl and off you go again for a couple minutes until the bowl runs empty again, and on and on it goes. Try squeezing the ball as Imuss53 suggests. This will force fuel into the carb.
3 Once running the ball doesn't necessarily stay hard. It is only used to prime the system at start-up. From there, the fuel pump takes over.

Ignition:
4 Try running the engine in the driveway in the dark looking for arcs to ground from around the coils or plug wires.

Try to avoid throwing parts at it. We can help you diagnose it. The guys here will turn you into a pro in no time!

Good luck!
J

 

[seachest]

Re: '87 OMC 1.8 L Sea Drive

Thanks you guys - I did try pumping the bulb up when she was bogging down to no avail. same issue - even with the portable tank - I even tried a new bulb, supposedly ethanol resistant - I have a brand new power pack (already paid for) on hand which I will put in if plugs/wires don't resolve the issue - I have a tentative appointment with a mobile mechanic ($$$$$) for next week so I will do the plugs & wires and check her out before power pack install. I greatly appreciate your input and look forward to more suggestions. We'll keep hitting it til we knock it out.

P.S. Is the fuel pump integrated with the VRO pump, or is it a seperate entity? Also, what is the proper gap for the plugs?

 

[Cheza]

Hi my dad needs the service manual for his 1987 OMC Sea Drive 1.8 litre engine. Where can i buy and or download a PDF copy of it?

 

[boobie]

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