Hi,
I have a 2005 Bigfoot 25 which is giving me fits, and i want to double check that I'm not overlooking something simple in diagnosing the issue.
Prior to last August, this motor had been super dependable, starting almost immediately upon cranking. Last August, I had been running the boat for a couple of days, and thought it would be a good idea to add some fuel treatment to the system (seafoam) while on vacation. I added the fuel treatment, then tried to start the engine. It would not start. I was able to get it to catch, but after ~10 seconds or so it would lose RPM's and stall. I changed the spark plugs and bought a new portable fuel tank and connected that to the motor, and had same issue. Couple hours later, I returned to the boat, and was able to get it running, albeit poorly. I limped back to the ramp, and brought it to a local dealer to look at.
Dealer found that the lines were delaminating, so they replaced all fuel lines, and the in-line fuel filter, and the Raycor fuel/water separator. Also drained the carb bowl? and reported everything looked clean. They were able to start it on muffs and "could not find anything wrong", meaning it ran fine - due to wind, they did not sea test it. I took it back, and it ran ok that day. Though I did not shut it off at all.
A week later, I ran the motor on muffs at home, then headed to a local river. Again, here the motor would not start and exhibited the same symptoms - cranked a lot, would catch, then lose RPM's and stall. I bought a fuel pump, but due to backorders, did not get it until November or so. I installed the new fuel filter in May, and started the motor on muffs at home - caught first time and idled perfectly.
Thursday of this week, I moved the boat in preparation for vacation, started it on muffs at home, again it caught first time and idled perfectly. Yesterday, I topped off the tank, and trailered it an hour. Late afternoon, I went to the launch ramp, and the motor would not stay running. Same issue - cranked, finally catch, run rough, and then lose RPM's and stall.
I'm sure it is fuel related, and all roads are leading to the carb - I think. Before I go throwing parts at it, are there other things I may have overlooked?
Replaced since initial issue in august:
Spark Plugs
Fuel line
Both Fuel Filters
Fuel Pump
Water pump
Lower unit oil
The thing I can't figure out is why/how does it start and idle fine on muffs in the driveway, but won't when in the water. Boat seems to be in a similar plane - meaning on the trailer it is at about the same degree of "level" as when in the water, but could it be the fuel sending unit in the tank? The primer bulb stays firm even as motor stalls. Boat is a 2004 Lund Alaskan with an internal 19 gallon tank.
Thanks for any ideas. Today, I may drain all the fuel out of it, and try adding brand new fuel with an additive.
I have a 2005 Bigfoot 25 which is giving me fits, and i want to double check that I'm not overlooking something simple in diagnosing the issue.
Prior to last August, this motor had been super dependable, starting almost immediately upon cranking. Last August, I had been running the boat for a couple of days, and thought it would be a good idea to add some fuel treatment to the system (seafoam) while on vacation. I added the fuel treatment, then tried to start the engine. It would not start. I was able to get it to catch, but after ~10 seconds or so it would lose RPM's and stall. I changed the spark plugs and bought a new portable fuel tank and connected that to the motor, and had same issue. Couple hours later, I returned to the boat, and was able to get it running, albeit poorly. I limped back to the ramp, and brought it to a local dealer to look at.
Dealer found that the lines were delaminating, so they replaced all fuel lines, and the in-line fuel filter, and the Raycor fuel/water separator. Also drained the carb bowl? and reported everything looked clean. They were able to start it on muffs and "could not find anything wrong", meaning it ran fine - due to wind, they did not sea test it. I took it back, and it ran ok that day. Though I did not shut it off at all.
A week later, I ran the motor on muffs at home, then headed to a local river. Again, here the motor would not start and exhibited the same symptoms - cranked a lot, would catch, then lose RPM's and stall. I bought a fuel pump, but due to backorders, did not get it until November or so. I installed the new fuel filter in May, and started the motor on muffs at home - caught first time and idled perfectly.
Thursday of this week, I moved the boat in preparation for vacation, started it on muffs at home, again it caught first time and idled perfectly. Yesterday, I topped off the tank, and trailered it an hour. Late afternoon, I went to the launch ramp, and the motor would not stay running. Same issue - cranked, finally catch, run rough, and then lose RPM's and stall.
I'm sure it is fuel related, and all roads are leading to the carb - I think. Before I go throwing parts at it, are there other things I may have overlooked?
Replaced since initial issue in august:
Spark Plugs
Fuel line
Both Fuel Filters
Fuel Pump
Water pump
Lower unit oil
The thing I can't figure out is why/how does it start and idle fine on muffs in the driveway, but won't when in the water. Boat seems to be in a similar plane - meaning on the trailer it is at about the same degree of "level" as when in the water, but could it be the fuel sending unit in the tank? The primer bulb stays firm even as motor stalls. Boat is a 2004 Lund Alaskan with an internal 19 gallon tank.
Thanks for any ideas. Today, I may drain all the fuel out of it, and try adding brand new fuel with an additive.
