HELP engine shut down full throttle sputtering idling rough Merc opti 200 hp 2002

[bkrueger3]

Running across the lake at Full throttle and engine began to sputter acting as if it was starving for fuel. completely died and left stranded in middle of lake. Tried pumping ball as it wasn't hard any more. Engine would run for roughly 2-5 seconds before dying. Got engine to start and run for about 15-20 seconds but even with throttle completely down it had hardly any power and sounded horrible. Suggestions on what is wrong would be greatly appreciated. Going to take apart fuel pump and clean it and replace the fuel filter. Hoping nothing else might be wrong as the power head was just replaced less than two years ago. Anyone else have this problem??????
Thanks
Brenton

 

[racerone]

I would start with a compression test.---------Mechanical noises sound expensive.

 

[ajgraz]

Water in fuel?

Did you get any alarm beeps?

 

[bkrueger3]

No Alarms, no beeps. Haven't had a chance to tear into the engine yet. Just happened Sunday during my tournament.
How can I check to see if water is in the fuel?

 

[ajgraz]

My Opti is newer (and smaller) than yours, but maybe the same process...

On the bottom of the fuel pump reservoir (the metal tank-looking thing on the port side of the powerhead that the pleated fuel pump screws into) I have on mine a hose that loops between two nipples. Pull the hose off one nipple, put the hose end in a clear jar to collect the fuel, then open the valve (set screw, 1/8" allen key) above the nipple (the one that is still connected to the hose!) to drain into the jar. Close set screw valve, then repeat with other side. Look for a layer of water (or all-water!) in the drainage.

 

[bkrueger3]

Thanks i'll try that to see whats inside. IF indeed it does have water what are the next steps in getting fixed? Is this a Dealer type fix if water is mixed in fuel as it probably damaged the engine???

 

[Faztbullet]

Did belt come off air compressor?? Look to see if bolts sheared on compressor pulley(common)...sound like fuel/air supply problem.

 

[ajgraz]

Thanks i'll try that to see whats inside. IF indeed it does have water what are the next steps in getting fixed? Is this a Dealer type fix if water is mixed in fuel as it probably damaged the engine???

I did look up some parts diagrams, and as far as I can tell your motor has a spin-on water-separating filter on it (instead of the reservoir and pleated filter I mentioned). I think there may be a valve on the bottom of it you can draw a sample from, or if not I guess just spin that whole filter off and pour the contents into a jar.

Don't know if the engine would necessarily be damaged. I recently managed to fill my Optimax's entire fuel system, from fuel lines at tank to the injector and rails, with water (due to a since-resolved water-in-fuel issue), and once I got all that drained out there seem to be no residual problems.