Missing and shutting off under load

tmors424

tmors424

New Member
Feb 17, 2015
10
Upper Chesapeake
Boat Info
1999 Sea Ray 215 Express
Engines
5.0 carb w/alpha one
Hey guys, looking for a little direction. Just bought a second hand 215 Express early spring. It came with a full tank of fuel, was winterized and recommissioned by Marine Max. Had it out 4 times with no trouble. Filled up the tank last time out and barely burned a 1/8 of a tank. Took it out today and about 15 minutes into the ride at about 3400 RPMs, it started to miss/hesitate. It eventually shut down a couple of times. Starts up and seems to straighten it self out at low speeds below 1500 RPMs but, every time you hit it, it coughs/sputters and stalls out. We limp into a marina, have lunch and hang out for a couple of hours. Start the boat up and drive it all the way back to home port with now issues at all (about 12 miles at 3400 RPMs. I am thinking the fuel separater has sucked up some junk or has some water in it. It's only got about 6 hours on it since Marine Max replaced it in the fall. Any suggestions? Thanks in advance!!!
 
filters are usually the first place to start if you think its fuel related
 
tmors424 said:
Filled up the tank last time out and barely burned a 1/8 of a tank. Took it out today and about 15 minutes into the ride at about 3400 RPMs, it started to miss/hesitate. It eventually shut down a couple of times. Starts up and seems to straighten it self out at low speeds below 1500 RPMs but, every time you hit it, it coughs/sputters and stalls out.
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since the problem started right after you filled up the gas tank is it possible you got some bad gas?

cliff
 
Yes Cliff- I think its possible I might have gotten some bad fuel. But, I use the same gas station for both my cars and no issues with them. I live in a small town and if any station gets bad fuel, word gets around fast. I think I may have communicated to you this boat was lake and lift kept its whole life. This may have been the first ethanol fuel blend run through it and it doesn't like it. Question is, what now? I don't have access to non-ethanol fuel where live.
 
tmors424 said:
Yes Cliff- I think its possible I might have gotten some bad fuel. But, I use the same gas station for both my cars and no issues with them. I live in a small town and if any station gets bad fuel, word gets around fast. I think I may have communicated to you this boat was lake and lift kept its whole life. This may have been the first ethanol fuel blend run through it and it doesn't like it. Question is, what now? I don't have access to non-ethanol fuel where live.
Click to expand...

to determine if you have bad gas you can place some gas in a clear jar and let it sit for a while....if there is ethanol seperation the gas and ethanol will show a clear dividing line....if it is bad you will either have to remove it and refuel with good gas or try to run it the best you can until it is gone....you may can mix some high octane gas with it to see it that helps to run it better...

cliff
 
I was thinking premium fuel as well. Gonna replace the fuel separator filter, put a cocktail of StaBil 360 and Startron in it, then top it off with premium and see what happens. I'll also check the fuel that's in the filter in a glass jar. May have to change the filter out again. I think the fuel that was in there was already old and that first shot of Startron caused the contaminates in the tank to coagulate and clog the filter. Sounds good in theory though right? Wish me luck... Hope this doesn't turn into a big problem. Just bought this thing and the Admirals patience is low... We've got about 8 hours on it since we bought it and this is the first issue we've had. Other than this, we love the boat.
 
you can re-use the old water separator after you get the water out. then do a final change when confident your good if that turns out to be the problem
 
wakeup 19 said:
you can re-use the old water separator after you get the water out. then do a final change when confident your good if that turns out to be the problem
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Sounds like trying to re use a condom.
 
OK- pulled the fuel filter/separator off today and found no water. Fuel looks fine. Still replaced the filter. Will run it tomorrow and see if this does anything. I am starting to lean towards ignition. Anyone have any input on changing out a standard points distributor with electronic ignition?
 
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