hey guys I've got some plane issues

[deepsessions]

just bought an '82 Ranger v375 with a Merc 150 XR2 fuel injected motor with a 21 deg prop. The boat is nice and was well taken care of and the engine is newer ('86-'87). We took it for a test drive yesterday and the boat wasn't jumping out of the hole well at all. So we took it back to the sellers house popped the lid and did a compression check and checked to see if the throttle opened all the way. The comp check showed 130 across the board and the throttle opened up all the way. So I dealed him down to $3500 thinkin' this could all be sorted with a smaller prop (maybe a 19?) pulling the pin below the trim,or taking the fins off the lower unit. Well took it out today in the delta where there is much more current/drag and couldn't get the boat to plane out in strong current. I found if I was somewhere protected or went with the current I could come out faster but still not near what it should be. Any thoughts as to the necessary steps I should take? both shops I've been referred to are booked 3 weeks out. I've heard that possibly it could be due to ignition issues,carbs (sat too long?),and too big of prop.

any help is greatly appreciated

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: hey guys I've got some plane issues

A 21 is fine for that boat. Most run even steeper. Have a look at your sparkplugs. They should all be burning about the same. Ideal deposits are dark brown and dampish looking after a lot of running. Any that are clean (like new) aren't firing. That's usually a lack of spark. Any that have substantially fewer deposits (but not clean) would indicate a carburetor problem. But I'm betting on varnished carbs.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: hey guys I've got some plane issues

possible wet foam also. carrying extra weight.

 

[deepsessions]

Re: hey guys I've got some plane issues

varnished carbs ay? how can this be remedied? is there any fuel conditioners that I can run or anything before I get it to the shop?

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: hey guys I've got some plane issues

I would check for spark on all cylinders for sure.

What was the WOT RPMs once you were on plane?​

 

[Windykid]

Re: hey guys I've got some plane issues

I'd go with Tashasdaddy wet foam, have the boat weighed.

 

[Windykid]

Re: hey guys I've got some plane issues

82 Ranger V375 net weight 1,200
86 XR2 150 375lbs dry

 

[j_martin]

Re: hey guys I've got some plane issues

If you suspect lack of fuel, don't try to run it that way, you'll burn it down.

 

[deepsessions]

Re: hey guys I've got some plane issues

some good advice here guys....I'm headed out tomarrow to play with the boat again. The plugs are all fine and have spark. The gas tanks are about empty so I am contemplating on running some seafoam. What is the highest concentrate I should run say on 10 gallons of gas? or should I just follow the instructions on the can of one ounce per gallon?

anything else I can check before taking it to the mechanic in 4 WEEKS!

 

[studlymandingo]

Re: hey guys I've got some plane issues

As to the sea foam, you can run 1 can to 1 gallon to do a decarb. Let it run into the engine, then sit overnight. Then take her out and ring it out with the recommended mix.​

 

[Texasmark]

Re: hey guys I've got some plane issues

I don't think you can run too much within reason. For the son's recently acquired '95 150 we put a whole can to 10 gallons of gas. Went to the lake and burned it all up. Ran much better afterwards.

Mark