AQ125 Bogging & hesitating

[Dream Weaver]

I have an interesting problem that I would like some feedback on. Last time I had the boat out it ran great as it usually does. About half way through the day I anchored out in a no wake zone for about an hour before we decided to head back out onto the water. When I started the engine I noticed it was having a difficult time idling and when I gave it throttle it would bog out, hesitate, or die. After playing with the throttle for about 3-5 minutes all of a sudden she woke up and ran just fine again. Again later that day I stopped and anchored for lunch for about 30 minutes and when I fired it back up had the exact same problem but after a few minutes of working the throttle it came to life and ran strong. When I pulled the boat out of the water for the day I did my usual inspections and found that the exhaust hose from the stern to the out drive was torn/ripped basically all the way through so the exhaust was exiting at the stern instead of through the out drive. I also noticed the rubber exhaust coupler from the manifold to the down pipe was ripped and leaking exhaust/water into the engine compartment. I have since replaced both the exhaust coupler as well as the exhaust hose from the stern to the out drive but have not had the boat back on the water yet to test it. Has anybody ever had this problem or do you think the exhaust hoses could have been causing this? Any advice, feedback, or information will be greatly appreciated! Thank you!

btw: the boat is a 1983 bayliner capri with volvo penta aq125 / 270

 

[Don S]

Re: AQ125 Bogging & hesitating

Sounds a lot like water in your fuel. Do you have a water separating fuel filter installed? If not you should get one.

 

[Dream Weaver]

Re: AQ125 Bogging & hesitating

I'm not sure if the fuel filter I have on there is a water separator or not. It is an inline filter about a foot before the carb, it is a clear filter so I can see the fuel inside the filter. Are there inline water separator filters available? Would I be able to purchase one at Napa or do I need to go to a marine store? Would water in the fuel only cause drive-abiltiy concerns at idle / low speeds and not wot? Even after I get it going and take a lap around the lake I can slow back down and stop and idle for a few minutes and take back off with no problems. It seemed to only occur after the engine is shut off and sits for longer than 10 minutes or so....

Thanks!

 

[Don S]

Re: AQ125 Bogging & hesitating

It is an inline filter about a foot before the carb, it is a clear filter so I can see the fuel inside the filter.

That should not be there, and it's not a water separating filter. Those clear filters are a fire hazard and should not be used on marine engines. Actually that steel line should never have been cut.

 

[Dream Weaver]

Re: AQ125 Bogging & hesitating

I was a bit unclear on that. The clear in line filter is actually on a rubber line that is in between the fuel tank and pump. The metal line from the pump to carb was not cut. Good to know about those types of filters though. I will remove it. I ordered a spin on filter type fuel / water separator today. I will mount and install it. Do you recommend installing the separator on the line from the tank to the pump? Will the mechanical pump provide enough pressure to move the fuel through this type of separator? Here is a link to the separator that I ordered: https://www.napaonline.com/Catalog/CatalogItemDetail.aspx?A=BK_7511145_0006535211&An=0

Thank you!

 

[Don S]

Re: AQ125 Bogging & hesitating

Do you recommend installing the separator on the line from the tank to the pump?

Yes, they should NEVER be on the pressure side of the fuel pump.

 

[Dream Weaver]

Re: AQ125 Bogging & hesitating

Took the boat out this weekend. After only replacing the exhaust manifold coupler and the bellow, she ran great! Problem solved. I will still look into installing a fuel/water separator though...not a bad idea.