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PLEASE HELP MY BOAT RUNS BUT NOT GOOD

S

SKIBOB

New member
I have a 1986 Checkmate 17ft. with a 3.7 / 470 . I love this boat. It's fast, shiny, and really cool looking. I bought it when I was twenty years old, I'm forty two now. I have had very few problems with it over the years. It has a closed cooling system so all I have to do each year is change the oil , lower unit lube , grease everything and drain the heat exchanger.
This summer it just don't run like it should. If i try to punch it down to pull a skier it stalls out. If I try to run it wide open it won't go.
I thought I had water in the gas so I drained the tank replaced the fuel filter and it still ran like crap.
I just ordered a tune up kit and new plugs and wires. I hope this works.
If anyone might have other suggestions I would greatly appreciate it.
I have to admit I am no boat mechanic. I've been real lucky all these years with minimal problems.I love this cool old boat and hate to give it up for a newer one. It sounds like some of you guys really know your stuff so maybe you could help me out.
 
Sounds like a fuel problem but ive been wrong once before, rebuild the carb, new fuel filter and check the fuel pump!
 
sounds like gummy carbs... startron or stabil in the fuel every tank! this ethanol is really causing issues

Ethanol-Enhanced Gasoline
The emissions-reducing additive MTBE that has been put into gasoline for years was found to contaminate water supplies. As a result, MTBE is being eliminated throughout the U.S. and replaced by up to 10% ethanol. When used up quickly, ethanol-enhanced gas does not present difficulties for users. In boats and RVs that tend to use up fuel less frequently however, the new ethanol gas does in fact create problems. Ethanol has a great affinity for water and as a result, this new formulated fuel can cause a water layer to form and gelling to occur. Additionally, ethanol is an excellent solvent that can attack sludge buildup in fuel tanks and cause fuel filters to clog frequently. Star brite Star Tron® can prevent these problems from occurring and can also reverse the problems if they already exist.


MARINE Formula STA-BIL Ethanol Treatment is a new, enhanced formula of STA-BIL, America's top selling fuel stabilizer, that was designed to fight many of the unique problems related to ethanol in gasoline in the moisture-laden marine environment, and fights those problems in three ways:

Fights Fuel System Deposits – Ethanol in gasoline acts as a solvent on the accumulated deposits in marine fuel tanks, fuel lines, carburetors, injectors. These loosened deposits can cause engine performance problems, including hard starting, rough running and stalling. MARINE Formula STA-BIL cleans-up power-robbing deposits from carburetors, fuel injectors and intake valves to improve engine performance. MARINE Formula STA-BIL contains more than FOUR TIMES the fuel system cleaner in Regular STA-BIL – it is a Complete Fuel System Cleaner.
 
timing, carb rebuild / check, fuel filters, etc.. add plugs and a few other odds and ends and that amounts to the full tune-up that would be a great start if not the end to addressing your problem. Cheers
 
Not yet changed the distributor cap and rotor. I'm still waiting for parts. They should be here in a couple of days.
How much of a project is it to rebuild the carb???????????
 
Not hard at all. I would suggest you pickup a "factory" service manual and a carb kit and have at it. I would also consider installing a fuel pressure gauge in between the fuel pump and the carb, too.
 
While I am not saying it sin't a carb issue, don't underestimate the importance of a properly functioning ignition system including points, condenser, rotor cap, and advance mechanism. Make sure your dwell and timing are set perfectly before chasing anything else.
 
Possibly you need to adjust the carb valves to make sure they all open and close fully when the throttle is in the respectable position and they are sync'd together too.
 
The UPS guy just arrived with parts. Plugs,wires,points,condenser,rotor,and cap. I'll try these and get back to ya.
P.S. Would anyone happen to know the gap for the plugs and points?????
 
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