Hydrodyne Performance

[red10]

Re: Hydrodyne Performance

sorry bf, i meant tquin, brain fart

 

[BF]

Re: Hydrodyne Performance

I knew who you were aimin' at! I wonder how he's made out.

 

[TQUIN45]

Re: Hydrodyne Performance

Hi - You guys are great for getting back with all the ideas and information. Last weekend I bought a set of plugs- I picked up 6 of the Champion QL78YC as recommended. I beleive the RPM's moved up to 5500 with very little trim. I had to stop testing as I was getting an alarm (under dash board), either too hot, shortage of fuel or oil. I actually got two different(at different times) alarms, one was the continuous and other was rapid short bursts. I did find some weeds caught on the lower unit. Could explain the over heating. As a backup I added oil directly to fuel at 100 to 1 plus I added oil to the remote tankjust to be sure (it was over a 1/4 full). I used the boat pulling tubes and skis for several hours after those two issues- worked fine. I will check the RPM and speed again this weekend- weather permitting. I do think the plugs made a difference. Of note- 5 of the six were damp, more oil than gas as best I could tell. My speed calculations are from my own equation using the RPM, gear ratio, prop pitch and estimated slip and no slip. The damp plugs concern me. <br />Tom Q.

 

[TQUIN45]

Re: Hydrodyne Performance

Hi Again- I measured the speed with 1 of the two speedo's in the boat and with a radar gun. They seem to agree very well. <br />thanks again,<br />Tom Q.

 

[red10]

Re: Hydrodyne Performance

tquin, the constant alarm is a fuel restriction and the short beeps are a low oil condition. I would recommend changing the fuel filter and clean the screen on the pickup tube in the gas tank. I had the same issues with the constant alarm and it happened to be the pickup was loaded with crap. I also beileve that the plugs should be QL77JC gapped at.030, but i'm not sure on that.

 

[TQUIN45]

Re: Hydrodyne Performance

Hi- My understanding from this forum was the QL77JC was the original recommendation for plugs. Now the factory recommends QL 78YC for the 150 Hp V6. Hope I did that right. It does seem to run better. I will clean the oil pickup filter as suggested. I am still adding oil to the gas to be sure. The shorts beeps on the alarm did occurr 1 more time this week but only at first start up.Shut motor off, restarted and okay. Motor is very smooth through almost the entire RPM range. I am going after a 14.75 X 19 SS (Polished stainless steel Viper propeller made by Bombardier for Evinrude or Johnson V4 or V6 outboard motors)to replace the 15 X 17 Al propeller. <br />Thanks again<br />Tom Quinn

 

[Dhadley]

Re: Hydrodyne Performance

The QL78YC is not the correct plug for a crossflow. Depending on which heads you have the pistons may contact the plug since its the wrong reach. At any rate youre putting the spark dangerously close to the piston with the YC plug.<br /><br />If youre getting a fuel restriction alarm I wouldnt recommend running it anymore until you get it fixed. You might end up changing pistons if youre not careful.<br /><br />At 5500 you dont want any more pitch. Youll be back to lugging the motor.<br /><br />All 3 issues seperately are potiental piston killers. All 3 combined are are sure bet. Be very careful.

 

[TQUIN45]

Re: Hydrodyne Performance

Hi- Thanks to Dhadley. You have me very concerned. I thought from all the posts(here) I had read on plugs the QL 78YC were the new recommended plug vs the QL 77JC. I even had a hard time locating the 78's. My engine is a 1988 150 Hp Evinrude. I have run for several hours now with the new 78's- sounds like I should remove them. How can I learn which heads I have????<br />I think the fuel restriction alarm is the fault of the primer bulb. The check valve maybe leaking. If the engine sits for more than several days I find it starts quicker if I prime till bulb is hard.No more loss of cooling- I watch the water pressure gauge.I still need to check the oil pickup filter in the VRO tank. I will also check the fuel filter. I am also premixing oil until all issues are resolved.<br />Thank you for the warnings- I will change the plugs before I run the engine again. <br />What year engine did the plug change take place???<br />Tom Quinn

 

[red10]

Re: Hydrodyne Performance

Tquin, i have to pump the bulb every morning before going out, i'm not sure if that is normal but i have no problem with it. The QL77's i use in my motor so i assume yours are the same. 1988 johnson gt or evinrude xp.

 

[TQUIN45]

Re: Hydrodyne Performance

Thanks Red10- I just cleaned the old (removed) <br />QL 77JC plus. They did not appear to be in bad shape- a little oil and carbon. Cleaned up with compressed air and carb cleaner plus a small exacto knife. Set Gaps at 0.035. Compromise between the factory spec and this forum. I am going to the beach now to install. Thanks again<br />Tom Quinn

 

[TQUIN45]

Re: Hydrodyne Performance

Hi- Reinstalled the plugs after cleaning. Motor seems to run about the same. The QL78's were running hot- tan in color from the base of porcelen to the outside or ground electrode.Good thing for me I did not run these plugs very long and even better they did not hit the top of the piston. A good summary on this forum for recommended plugs and the engine year + HP would be good- there may be some confusion from all the suggestion. Just a thought<br />Tom Q.

 

[TQUIN45]

Re: Hydrodyne Performance

Hi To all- hope everyone is having a nice summer!!!! I noticed my 1988 150 Hp Evinrude would like(manual) the center fire plugs QUL77V vs the QL77JC4 plugs I found installed. Does it matter???<br />Thank you again<br />Tom Quinn<br /><br />PS- Engine with clean plugs does make 5500 RPM WOT with the 15 X 17 Al(slight cup) prop(came with engine) with a little tilt. Keep in mind the engine was raised by 1 in about 2 weeks ago. no more oil alarms, not sure why not. in general she is running well. She does need a few mins to warm up after cold start.

 

[TQUIN45]

Re: Hydrodyne Performance

Quick update- Followed the de-carb recipe given here. Found the Seafoam, 3/4 gal of fuel +oil and did the de carbon. It did smoke but not dense clouds as expected. If it runs better it is not easily detectable but is certainly not worse. Still gets 5500 RPM at WOT with 15 X 17 Al prop at 44 to 45 MPH .<br />Tom

 

[TQUIN45]

Re: Hydrodyne Performance

Hi To All- Hope the summer was good to everyone!! I thought I would add to the long post I ran earlier this summer on my 1987 (reported before it was a 1988). When taking the boat up to the launch ramp today(about 1 mile) the engine hit 5700 RPM for the first time going into a 5 to 10 MPH breeze.Wish I had my radar gun with me. Must be the cooler water and cooler air temperatures here in New England. Otherwise still running great. I am still using the Al 15 X 17 prop. But I am looking for a 14.5 X 19. <br />Tom Quinn

 

[CalicoKid]

Re: Hydrodyne Performance

In case it hasn't come up, is there a chance you are hauling way too much weight around in the boat in the form of cargo or water in the bilge or soaked flotation foam?