Fuel Starvation Problem STILL... Please HELP!!

BoatingTimbo

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 18, 2009
Messages
78
It's an '89 OMC Cobra 4.3L with Rochester double carb.

It now only revs to 2,000 RPM for about 30 seconds then die's out. I can pull the throttle back quickly and it will catch up with itself continuing to run leading me and all mechanics that have looked at it feeling it's definitely fuel starvation. If i drop the hammer to full throttle it will run up to about 3,500 RPM and die out after only 5-8 seconds.

I had the shop at the marina look at it a few weeks back and they did:
- fuel flow tests (pressure, volume etc.)
- Re-built the carb (after that rebuild i could run at about 3,000 RPM for hours and have no problem, if i pushed the throttle any higher it would stall out as described above)
- replaced fuel filter
- replaced fuel lines
- ran with larger/different fuel pump (no difference, although it wasn't for this exact engine). Not sure if this eng. is meant to have electronic or mechanical fuel pump (there's mounts for the mechanical fuel pump but it's running electrical right now)??
- ran on external fuel tank to bi-pass lines
- They then recommended it needed a new carb but were very unsure!

Rather then spend the money on new carb i had another mechanic look at it and he did:
- another carb rebuild as he said they used the wrong rebuild kit and was sure that was the problem!
- replace anti-siphon valve
- re-tested everything

When i ran last night it's worse after the second carb rebuild! As described above it won't go over 2,000RPM (which is barely planing) where as before it at least ran up to 3,000 RPM and won't die out after 30 seconds like it is now!!

I'm starting to think this boat purchase was a bad idea!! It's such a stress and i know boating shouldn't be!!

Do i now need to spend $600 on a new carb and $200 on new fuel pump -- to test (and find out it something else)??!??

Please help anyone... Thanks so much.
 

bustermin

Banned
Joined
Apr 13, 2009
Messages
315
Re: Fuel Starvation Problem STILL... Please HELP!!

I am not familiar with your vessel or set up, it sounds like the last guy to do the carb rebuild did something wrong, but what your describing when it reaches 3500 rpm, sounds alot like a rev limiter. is your boat equiped with one? did it die out and stall or just lose rpm?
 

BoatingTimbo

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 18, 2009
Messages
78
Re: Fuel Starvation Problem STILL... Please HELP!!

no rev limiter. actually die's out and stalls. WOT on this is 4,200 - 4,600 plus it's never exactly the same RPM it stalls out at.
 

searay3

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 7, 2005
Messages
655
Re: Fuel Starvation Problem STILL... Please HELP!!

Had a couple of motors act that way and could not figure it out. Ended up being the ignition coil. No go under load. It's not a very expensive fix. Try swapping with a known good or buy one. Won't hurt ($30).
 

BoatingTimbo

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 18, 2009
Messages
78
Re: Fuel Starvation Problem STILL... Please HELP!!

man if $30 would solve my problem then i'm a happy man! I'll try that for sure. can't hurt.
My concern is that after the second carb rebuild the problem didn't stay consistent and infact got worse leading me to believe it must be something carb related???
 

searay3

Senior Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Apr 7, 2005
Messages
655
Re: Fuel Starvation Problem STILL... Please HELP!!

Be sure you get the right coil. Electronic ign usually takes a full 12 volts where points will require a resistor to drop it down. the resistor is already in the wiring in the form of resistor wire.
 

BoatingTimbo

Petty Officer 3rd Class
Joined
May 18, 2009
Messages
78
Re: Fuel Starvation Problem STILL... Please HELP!!

finally solved the problem... after everything it was only the rubber pick up fuel hose in the tank. after inspection each time and turning the anti-siphon valve / coupler back onto the tank it was twisting the hose and kinking it -- causing my fuel starvation problem.

now i'm back and running.

thanks for all the help and suggestions.

now i'm going to figure out why i can't get to max WOT of 4,200-4,600. I'm only hitting 3,800'ish with 14.5x19 prop. Not a big deal at all.
 

muc

"Retired" Association of Marine Technicians...
Joined
Jul 7, 2004
Messages
2,170
Re: Fuel Starvation Problem STILL... Please HELP!!

- ran on external fuel tank to bi-pass lines ???????????
 
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