Memorial days boating woes

[RonMan]

1990 Four Winns with OMC 3.0 cobra.
Just returned from shop for normal maintainance check/ tune up. Tech annotated the tach was irratic and could not adjust. I did not have that problemlast time out.

So we get out on the water and the first thing I notice is that I hear the outdrive trimming itself while idleing. Did this twice. We ride out a little ways and stop, all seems fine. Then we go out for a ride, enging is fine but the tach is definitely everywhere before pegging out above 6k but the engine is at mid throttle. Boat is running great otherwise. Then the boat just looses power before finally dying. Restarts one last time but dies when I engage. Ends with a backfire. Wife (sitting near the engine) said she heard it kinda backfire before it died.

Anybody have any ideas?

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Memorial days boating woes

Disconnect the Gray (tach) wire from the -Neg side of the coil and try it.

 

[RonMan]

Re: Memorial days boating woes

Would that be the two (one light and one dark) grays wires that splice together and then connect on the negative side of the coil?

 

[RonMan]

Re: Memorial days boating woes

I disonnected that two wire set. Had to give it full throttle and it started. Ran really rough, never really reved up and then died.

 

[Blk-n-Blu]

Re: Memorial days boating woes

Check here:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=288430

 

[RonMan]

Re: Memorial days boating woes

Yea, I was already searching through those threads. I was just hoping for some quick check this, check that pointers (like disconnecting the tach pointer) before I have to turn around and make 3 hour drive home.

Is there any reason I could not put a clear inline fuel filter before the pump to make sure Im getting fuel?

 

[incrediblened]

Re: Memorial days boating woes

You should be able to look down the carb to see if you're getting fuel. Take off the top plate, see if you're getting drips into the intake OR see if your accelerator pump squirts a shot of fuel into your carb when you push it all the way forward.

 

[incrediblened]

Re: Memorial days boating woes

Would that be the two (one light and one dark) grays wires that splice together and then connect on the negative side of the coil?

I may be wrong, but I think that you only want to disconnect ONE of those grey wires to disengage the tach. Ask someone else for sure though.

 

[RonMan]

Re: Memorial days boating woes

It looked dry when I pulled it. Gave it a quik shot of starter fluid and it fired for a brief rough second before dying. Makes me think the pump is out.

 

[incrediblened]

Re: Memorial days boating woes

It looked dry when I pulled it. Gave it a quik shot of starter fluid and it fired for a brief rough second before dying. Makes me think the pump is out.

Sounds like a definite fuel problem.

Start by checking the fuel filter(s). There's one behind the big nut that goes into the carb. There's one on top of the fuel filter. Both are very easy to access. BUT FIRST undo your rubber fuel hose from the carb, stick it in a gas can, crank it over, and see if it shoots fuel. If it is, then it's probably your top filter. If your top filter is clean then you might need to clean out the jets in your carb. But if you have to go that route take it apart CAREFULLY and you may be able to avoid having to buy a carb gasket kit.

 

[zbnutcase]

Re: Memorial days boating woes

Is there any reason I could not put a clear inline fuel filter before the pump to make sure Im getting fuel? Yes they are NOT USCG approved.

 

[RonMan]

Re: Memorial days boating woes

I knew there would be a reason. Thanks.