Problems??

volpe315

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Sep 8, 2007
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I have a 2003, 218 LS with a Mercury 5.0L 220 hp engine(150 Hours).

Lately I've been having random engine problems. The first time I noticed something was wrong I was pulling someone on a wake board and the engine was revving up and down intermittently after about a minute or so the problem was gone. A couple weeks later same thing.

And last week I was in a no wake zone and with almost full tank of gas the boat sputtered out. Tried to restart right away and took a few tries with wide open throttle but it started up.

Next day I was just exiting the no wake zone and hit it, I made it about 100 yards and the boat died. tried to stater it up for about half hour before asking a near by fisher man to tow me back in.

While at the dock tried starting with out air filter, check the gas filter were it enters the carburetor it was clean gas was flowing, took a spark plug out wasn't flooded. I'm lost? Any one experience something like this?
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1664396_10.jpg
 

Bondo

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71,079
Re: Problems??

Ayuh,...........

Change the Big Fuel Filter,+ Dump it into something for a Look at it's contents,.......

Your description sounds like Crap in the Fuel System........
 

volpe315

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Sep 8, 2007
Messages
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Re: Problems??

Ayuh,...........

Change the Big Fuel Filter,+ Dump it into something for a Look at it's contents,.......

Your description sounds like Crap in the Fuel System........

I did that when I got back to the dock nothing in the small screen filter going into the carburetor nothing really in the separator.
 

Don S

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Re: Problems??

When it won't start, look down the carb and pump the throttle. Is gas squirting into the carb from the accelerator pump?
 

volpe315

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Re: Problems??

When it won't start, look down the carb and pump the throttle. Is gas squirting into the carb from the accelerator pump?

yes.

It would fire and just die out. Sounded like it wanted to turn over. I thought it was starved for fuel but took gas line off the carb to see if was pumping gas and it seemed fine.
 

Don S

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Re: Problems??

How long did it run before it dies again?
 

Don S

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Re: Problems??

A note on terminology
Turning over to most mechanics means the engine will turn with the starter but will not start and try to run with the starter not turning.

Starting and running even for a few second is running, with the starter not engaged.

Again, did you look and see if fuel was pumping from the accelerator pump into the throttle bores.
 

volpe315

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Re: Problems??

It is very random, so hard to identify the problem. The next day stared up first try. Ran it for 20 minutes shut her down tried it again she stared up no prob took test drive. Started slow sounded good beat her up a little and nothing ran like a champ.
 

Don S

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Re: Problems??

Don't take this wrong, but have you ever run an engine with a carb before? Lots of young folks with no experience with carbs have problems starting them because they try to start them like there EFI car. And it just won't work.

PS: What is the Mercruiser SN on your engine.
 

volpe315

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Sep 8, 2007
Messages
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Re: Problems??

Don't take this wrong, but have you ever run an engine with a carb before? Lots of young folks with no experience with carbs have problems starting them because they try to start them like there EFI car. And it just won't work.

PS: What is the Mercruiser SN on your engine.

This is the only experience I have on an engine with a carb

Don't worry I take no offense. I have little experience with boats thats why i joined this forum to learn from experience boaters like yourself.

I don't know th SN # the boat is up at our lake house
 

volpe315

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Re: Problems??

I went back and re-read your original post, then once I got my mind going the right direction we might try a different tack.
How hot does it get in the engine compartment? Vapor lock could be a problem, and where is Mount Prospect? Is it hot there when this happens?
Could also be a problem in the boats fuel system. Could check it like this.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167561


Mount Prospect is North West suburb of Chicago, but the boat is at our lake house in Apple Canyon Lake ( North East corner of Illinois near Galena)
 

Don S

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62,321
Re: Problems??

I went back and re-read your original post, then once I got my mind going the right direction we might try a different tack.
How hot does it get in the engine compartment? Vapor lock could be a problem, and where is Mount Prospect? Is it hot there when this happens?
Could also be a problem in the boats fuel system. Could check it like this.
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=167561

A couple of easy checks would be to leave the engine hatch open while running and see what happens. Also try a remote fuel tank hooked to the engine. This would bypass the fuel system.
You could also pull the full fill cap and see if it works. This would show a plugged vent hose or fitting.
 
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