[wkbdr99]

I have a '99 searay 21' bowrider and this weekend while running i am fine up until 2200 rpm but when i try to plane off my rpms drop and the engine dies. When i am in neutral i can rev the boat fine, it just seems to happen when the engine is under load. Anyone have any suggestions on what it might be?? Thanks for your help!

 

[FredyFluke]

what model engine & drive you have?
Since you have Mercruser in your topic I am guessing you have
a v-6 with an alpha 1 drive?



This post edited by FredyFluke 11:54 PM 06/09/2008

 

[wkbdr99]

It is a 5.0 V8 alpha 1 drive

 

[26wellcraft]

I had the same problem. Turned out to be a clogged water seperator.

 

[Koz54]

Sounds like a fuel issue. I had a similar problem several years ago. The engine ran great up until 2200 RPM or so, but would cut out above that.

Changing the engine gas filter helped (I didn?t have a water separator filter at the time) but only for about a half an hour. The engine gas filter would get a white powdery substance on it. It ended up being corrosion from the aluminum gas tank.

 

[wkbdr99]

Thank you all for the feedback, i will try chainging the water seperator, I do not have an aluminum tank so hopefully there is no corrosion problem.

 

[FredyFluke]

wkbdr99 wrote:
Thank you all for the feedback, i will try chainging the water seperator, I do not have an aluminum tank so hopefully there is no corrosion problem.


check/change the engine for an in line fuel filter as well as the seperator

 

[wkbdr99]

UPDATE----- i changed the water seperator last night and the engine ran smoother for a while but then the problem came back, not as severe as before but the engine will still drop RPM's when at higher revs. I was wondering if anyone has had any luck with the Ethanol fuel additives i have seen advertised. Thanks for any input.

 

[Koz54]

Did you check the filter on the engine like suggested?

Star Tron

I heard it works well, and I have been using it this year since I had a minor fuel issue (carb) myself. No problems since then here.

This post edited by Koz54 09:22 AM 06/11/2008

 

[wkbdr99]

I did not check (could not find) the filter on the engine, but when i pulled the old seperator off i did see a good amount of Phase seperation....is it possible i only have a seperator and no filter?

 

[wkbdr99]

I saw a mix of water, cloudy fuel, and some sediment on the surface.

 

[wkbdr99]

BTW, my last two fuel ups have been at a reputable marina in Port Jefferson Harbor, and a Hess gas station on land.

 

[wkbdr99]

There sometimes is slight shaking, but it feels like shaking from the engine running rough because it is not getting enough fuel.

 

[26wellcraft]

After changing the water seperator,how long did the problem go away for. If the problem was gone for 10-15 minutes, maybe the filter clogged again and the problem returned. I hate to waste money and be a parts changer rather than find what the problem is. Is there a way of using a portable fuel supply to eliminate the on board fuel tank.

 

[wkbdr99]

The problem went away for about 10-15 min, which is why i plan on putting the startron in the tank, run for a little while with the existing seperator at low speeds when the engine runs fine, then change the seperator and see where that gets me.

 

[wkbdr99]

UPDATE---- this past weekend went out on saturday, dumped startron in the tank. Did not seem to have any problems, i ran the boat very lightly, did not push it. Ran no higher than 3400 rpm, just enought to get her on plane. I now have 2 extra water seperators that i will swap one out after a few more runs... thanks to everyone for the helpful input.