engine sputter, stall, need advice...be gentle

[wish2fish]

My friend has a Sea Ray 1990 260cc. I think the motor is 454 with the bravo drive.

Anyway he doesn't take the boat out much. Didn't put the boat in the water till early August. Boat seemed to run fine at that time even with the old gas. ran well at idle as well at cruising speed. He has since topped off the tank and used the boat another time with the boat running well again. Yesterday boat started fine, ran well at idle but when trying two cruise it sputtered several times over 3-4 minutes and then eventually died. Wouldn't start until I opened up the top butterflies on the carburator. When we got the boat started again. we ilded back to the dock and the boat ran fine and did not die. Do you think this is this a fuel problem caused by the boat tilting on plane or possible carb problem where it doesn't work at higher RPM's

Lets be gentle on my friend. He hasn't used the boat much because he owns his own business and works his but off. His wife has been a real pain in the a$$ and usually has things planned for his Sundays off. She did a good job bitching yesterday!

 

[DS410]

Definitely sounds like a fuel problem of some sort. I don't know enough to diagnose it with certainty, but has he checked his fuel filter(s)? Maybe a bunch of gunk got stirred up from bottom of the tank enough to cause a problem. Choppy water, fresh fuel pouring into tank, etc. Obviously, fuel is getting through, but I couldn't tell from your post if he's still having a problem at anything but idle.

David

 

[SR Tech]

Based on motor and drive combo...

I'd say that your 4barrell isn't kicking in, time for a rebuild:grin:

 

[wish2fish]

thanks for the responses so far.

I told him that it is possible the carb needs a rebuild but why do you think he was fine back in early and mid august?

 

[SR Tech]

Because their internals are wearable items.

Use it to much, need a rebuild
Don't use it enough, need a rebuild
-Cardinal rule for carburators.

As for exactly why they aren't kickin in I couldn't tell you unless it was infront of me.

Get a rebuild, the problems will go away, guarenteed.
If its a quadra-jet, throw it away and get a weber:thumbsup:, just kidding, they just suck to rebuild.