cutting out at high speed

[buoyboy13]

I have a 85 wellcraft with an OMC 3.8L I/O. The boat runs well until I hammer it, and once accelerating at high speeds the boats cuts out completely and won't start again until I let it sit and crank it about a hundred times. I know that my ball gears need to be replaced, but I don't think that can cause this problem. Could it be the points on the ignition? What else could cause this to happen? Thanks.

 

[Don S]

Re: cutting out at high speed

When this happens, does it loose spark, or fuel?

Since it comes back that quick, I would guess it's a fuel problem. Most likely between the fuel tank and engine. Check out this thread.

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167561

 

[buoyboy13]

Re: cutting out at high speed

Thanks for the reply...anybody else? Could it be that the water seperator needs to be replaced?

 

[Don S]

Re: cutting out at high speed

Could it be that the water seperator needs to be replaced?

If it's full of water instead of fuel, Yea, it needs replaced. And the water drained from the tank.

If it full of dirt, Yea, it needs replaced. And the tank cleaned out.

Have you pulled the filter off and dumped it out and looked to see what is in it? If not, it's time to do so.

Fuel filters are a maintenance item that should be replace at LEAST yearly. How old is yours?

After all that, did you read and do the tests in the link I posted?

 

[ugbandtulsa]

Re: cutting out at high speed

Yes...my 350 was doing the same thing....I replaced EVERY component of the fuel system, including the pump, sep, hoses, etc. It ended up being the separator HOUSING, if you can believe that!

Run a direct line from the tank, to the pump, to the carb. That'll do it. UNLESS you have a bad pickup in the tank!

 

[buoyboy13]

Re: cutting out at high speed

ok, I have not tried the guage test yet, but I intend to do so. I did pull off the fuel filter (which is also the fuel/water seperator), and there was a little debris in there, and I know it needs to be replaced. So, I will start from there. It is going to be difficult to take it out on the water with the hood opened, or off completely in order to read a tiny guage, so I may have to bring it into a service shop somewhere if the water seperator doesn't do the trick. I will also consider the filter housing, since that is a possibility too. Thanks for the info, I'll keep you updated.