I just took my boat out of storage after 3 years. It had been
properly winterized and laid up. To ready it for use, I paid a
mechanic to replace plugs, distributor caps, drain fuel tank, replace
filters, change all oils, and re-tune engines.

I took the boat out and ran it only to discover it would not go over
about 1300 rpm on either engine (sterndrives - Bravo IIIs) and it
backfires badly. The engines start and idle fine.

I noticed there was still fuel in the tank, almost a quarter tank
according to the gauge. From memory that could be 40 or more gallons
remaining in a 160 gallon tank. I put in 60 gallons of fresh premium
and then put in another four bottles of 104 octane boost. The problem
did not improve at all.

Any ideas? I am taking the boat back to the mechanic, but I no longer
trust him since he delivered the boat back to me in its current
condition.

Thanks.

On 19 May 2007 20:08:20 -0700, wrote:

I just took my boat out of storage after 3 years. It had been
properly winterized and laid up. To ready it for use, I paid a
mechanic to replace plugs, distributor caps, drain fuel tank, replace
filters, change all oils, and re-tune engines.

I took the boat out and ran it only to discover it would not go over
about 1300 rpm on either engine (sterndrives - Bravo IIIs) and it
backfires badly. The engines start and idle fine.

I noticed there was still fuel in the tank, almost a quarter tank
according to the gauge. From memory that could be 40 or more gallons
remaining in a 160 gallon tank. I put in 60 gallons of fresh premium
and then put in another four bottles of 104 octane boost. The problem
did not improve at all.

Any ideas? I am taking the boat back to the mechanic, but I no longer
trust him since he delivered the boat back to me in its current
condition.

There could be any number of issues here, but it may be something
really simple.

And your mechanic should be given first crack at fixing it - he did
the original work - give him a chance to make it right.

Empty the fuel filters into clear glass jars. Look for clarity, lack of
suspended contaminants,or water at the bottom, It should not smell like
varnish. It should have a strong gasoline odor. Verify that the plug wires
are on correctly and the base timing is correct. If you have had wet weather
recently, pull the caps and make sure they are dry. Lastly, you may need to
rebuild or replace the carburetors.
Jim
wrote in message
oups.com...
I just took my boat out of storage after 3 years. It had been
properly winterized and laid up. To ready it for use, I paid a
mechanic to replace plugs, distributor caps, drain fuel tank, replace
filters, change all oils, and re-tune engines.

I took the boat out and ran it only to discover it would not go over
about 1300 rpm on either engine (sterndrives - Bravo IIIs) and it
backfires badly. The engines start and idle fine.

I noticed there was still fuel in the tank, almost a quarter tank
according to the gauge. From memory that could be 40 or more gallons
remaining in a 160 gallon tank. I put in 60 gallons of fresh premium
and then put in another four bottles of 104 octane boost. The problem
did not improve at all.

Any ideas? I am taking the boat back to the mechanic, but I no longer
trust him since he delivered the boat back to me in its current
condition.

Thanks.

From your description, the power loss and backfire is a lean-out
condition, and not ignition related. If the engines idle fine, the wires
are on correctly and since the plugs, caps, etc. are new, no crossfire
in the distributors likely. More likely: fuel related; clogged jets in
the carbs, bad fuel pumps from sitting so long, clogged water separators
or filters (including the screen in the carb inlet). Really bad fuel,
although more likely a delivery/metering issue. Unless your mechanic
actually had the boat out on a run after servicing, don't blame him.
Take it back and let him resolve the problem. These problems are the
result of letting it sit so long.
JR

wrote:

I just took my boat out of storage after 3 years. It had been
properly winterized and laid up. To ready it for use, I paid a
mechanic to replace plugs, distributor caps, drain fuel tank, replace
filters, change all oils, and re-tune engines.

I took the boat out and ran it only to discover it would not go over
about 1300 rpm on either engine (sterndrives - Bravo IIIs) and it
backfires badly. The engines start and idle fine.

I noticed there was still fuel in the tank, almost a quarter tank
according to the gauge. From memory that could be 40 or more gallons
remaining in a 160 gallon tank. I put in 60 gallons of fresh premium
and then put in another four bottles of 104 octane boost. The problem
did not improve at all.

Any ideas? I am taking the boat back to the mechanic, but I no longer
trust him since he delivered the boat back to me in its current
condition.

Thanks.



--
--------------------------------------------------------------
Home Page: http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth

I agree. Fuel is the most likely culprit. There just is no good way to
store a gas engine 3 years. One thing is for sure after three years it can
gum up just about the whole thing.

"JR North" wrote in message
.. .
From your description, the power loss and backfire is a lean-out
condition, and not ignition related. If the engines idle fine, the wires
are on correctly and since the plugs, caps, etc. are new, no crossfire in
the distributors likely. More likely: fuel related; clogged jets in the
carbs, bad fuel pumps from sitting so long, clogged water separators or
filters (including the screen in the carb inlet). Really bad fuel,
although more likely a delivery/metering issue. Unless your mechanic
actually had the boat out on a run after servicing, don't blame him. Take
it back and let him resolve the problem. These problems are the result of
letting it sit so long.
JR

wrote:

I just took my boat out of storage after 3 years. It had been
properly winterized and laid up. To ready it for use, I paid a
mechanic to replace plugs, distributor caps, drain fuel tank, replace
filters, change all oils, and re-tune engines.

I took the boat out and ran it only to discover it would not go over
about 1300 rpm on either engine (sterndrives - Bravo IIIs) and it
backfires badly. The engines start and idle fine.

I noticed there was still fuel in the tank, almost a quarter tank
according to the gauge. From memory that could be 40 or more gallons
remaining in a 160 gallon tank. I put in 60 gallons of fresh premium
and then put in another four bottles of 104 octane boost. The problem
did not improve at all.

Any ideas? I am taking the boat back to the mechanic, but I no longer
trust him since he delivered the boat back to me in its current
condition.

Thanks.



--
--------------------------------------------------------------
Home Page: http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth

On May 21, 8:06 am, "jamesgangnc" wrote:
I agree. Fuel is the most likely culprit. There just is no good way to
store a gas engine 3 years. One thing is for sure after three years it can
gum up just about the whole thing.

"JR North" wrote in message

.. .

From your description, the power loss and backfire is a lean-out
condition, and not ignition related. If the engines idle fine, the wires
are on correctly and since the plugs, caps, etc. are new, no crossfire in
the distributors likely. More likely: fuel related; clogged jets in the
carbs, bad fuel pumps from sitting so long, clogged water separators or
filters (including the screen in the carb inlet). Really bad fuel,
although more likely a delivery/metering issue. Unless your mechanic
actually had the boat out on a run after servicing, don't blame him. Take
it back and let him resolve the problem. These problems are the result of
letting it sit so long.
JR

wrote:

I just took my boat out of storage after 3 years. It had been
properly winterized and laid up. To ready it for use, I paid a
mechanic to replace plugs, distributor caps, drain fuel tank, replace
filters, change all oils, and re-tune engines.

I took the boat out and ran it only to discover it would not go over
about 1300 rpm on either engine (sterndrives - Bravo IIIs) and it
backfires badly. The engines start and idle fine.

I noticed there was still fuel in the tank, almost a quarter tank
according to the gauge. From memory that could be 40 or more gallons
remaining in a 160 gallon tank. I put in 60 gallons of fresh premium
and then put in another four bottles of 104 octane boost. The problem
did not improve at all.

Any ideas? I am taking the boat back to the mechanic, but I no longer
trust him since he delivered the boat back to me in its current
condition.

Thanks.

--
--------------------------------------------------------------
Home Page:http://www.seanet.com/~jasonrnorth

My concern is that the mechanic has already overcharged me for the
work. I paid him to empty the fuel tank and he left at least a
quarter tank in it. So now he has an excuse to charge me for new fuel
pumps I may not need to hide his cost to re-drain and re-fill the
tank. How can I prevent this other than to take the boat to a
different mechanic?

Thanks for your ideas!