Got to the ramp today, and my boat fired right up. Motored slowly out of the no wake zone and I opened it up once I got to the bouy. It took off and it felt like we were dragging something. Not alot of thrust at all! Then, after giving it more gas, the motor abruptly shut off. It would start right back up but as shortly after getting going again, it would shut off again.

Checked all gas lines and we are very confident it isnt anything to do with getting gas. Water pump was still working. It worked great the last time we used it. And we didnt even have time to hit anything. My best guess is prop or lower unit. Anyone else have that happen? I have the week off to fish with my dad so I pray it something simple. Thanks in advance for any help.

Motor is a 1979 Chrysler 85hp.

Tommy at Rockwall Marine can probably tell you more........but sounds like timing is not advancing when you give it trottle???? Then it floods out and stops. Take it to Rockwall Marine .........they can fix it.

Rockwallguy give Tommy a call (972)771-4442 he will get you running in no time.

Rockwall Guy: Sounds like water in the fuel. Check your fuel filter bowl for water. Water condenses in the fuel tank if you dont keep you tank near full it will make more water vapor.

_What happens is the gasoline being lighter floats on top of the water. Your OB engine will Start and Idle until you load up the fuel system demands. When the fuel pump pressure gets strong enough it pulls the water off the bottom and it wont burn.

_Also the fuel line pick-up inside the tank is near the back. As you accellerate and the nose of the hull comes up the water slides back and displaces the fuel. Water wont burn!

_I had the same exact problem you discribed. My Dealer at www.WestBoats.com installed a Water Seporating fuel filter... I have'nt had a problem since.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Bazztex<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Bazz..

Should i pour out the fuel from my tank and try it again? I have a 6 gal. tank. I dont know how water would get into it, i keep it in the garage. However, the tank was nearly empty when I filled it up before heading out. Wouldnt putting the gas in delute the water ( if there was any it would have been very little). I hope it is something that simple, but it will break my heart to pour out 6 gallons worth of gas! It would almost be cheaper to have Tommy fix it! LoL!
And guys, I KNOW Tommy will get it fixed, but i'm hoping to get fixed before tomorrow, so I can be on the lake at first light Monday morning...not in Rockwall Marine parking lot.
Thanks for all yalls help...keep it coming!

Hey Rockwal: First Check the Clear Fuel Filter Bowl on the middle left side of the engine for water. If it does'nt have any water your problem may be in the ignition system or you may have a hole in the Fuel Pump diapham.

_Another problem I have seen with smaller outboards and the 6 gallon tanks is Air Leaks. It's possible to have air leak into the fuel line Via Vaccum from the fuel pump. I had a loose connection at the primer bulb that allowed Air to be drawn into the fuel under full throttle. It caused the engine's Fuel Mix to Lean out and stalled the motor.

_Yet another problem...I have had the Ball Valve in the Fuel Primer Bulb/ Hand Pump (Ball Bearing) come loose and Jamb against the connector at the engine. It would start and Idle but stalled as soon as I ran up the throttle...funny part was the primer bulb still got firm.

_If you have'nt changed the Primer Bulb in a while, it's a Good Idea about every two years. It keeps the two above problems from happening as frequently. I'd even go so far as to carry a spare just incase.

_It's still possible to have water even in a 6gal tank. Water vapor is in the atmosphere and on Humid days will get in when the tank is low. It condenses when the metal tank cools even indoors in the garage. Fuel does'nt dilute/ mix with water..it's lighter and floats on top... just like another petroleum product...Oil.

_I would'nt pour out the gas in the tank...take a flashlight and look into the gas tank. You can see the water as beads on the bottom if it's in there. Shift the tank or tilt one end sightly towards the filler neck...if there is water, it will roll down hill.

_Even if you have water in the tank you can still pour just about all of the gas into another container. The water will stay at the bottom if you pour the gas out slowly. Just stop the transfer before you get down to the water. Once you get the gas out use some Isoproply Alcohol that will mix with the water to rise out your tank.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Bazztex<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Hey RWG: One other thought on propper Fuel Flow... related specificly to portable fuel tanks.

Check the vent knob on the tank lid. There is a little seal on there that can get deformed. This can stop airflow even if you have it open... you did open the tank vent..Right?

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Bazztex<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

Tank vent or bad primer bulb.

Just for what it's worth..

I like the vent valve. Had that happen to me!
Also, once had some small stuff in the tank - trash or whatever and it seems that whenever I'd go to full trottle it would suck this stuff onto the filter/pick up tube and stop it up causing the motor to quit. Once the demand was gone it would fall away and the motor would run again. (this happened on my riding lawn mower too!)

Thanks for all yalls replies! I'll give a try and let yall know how it goes. Thanks again!

Well, I can tell you it wasnt the vent. We also changed out the gasoline. I took the fuel filter off and there was nothing clogging it. Bazz, I dont know what the "fuel filter bowl" is. I dont think I have that set up. I did NOT try a new hand bubble, but mine was brand new this spring. Unless anyone can think of something else, I'll pull it over to Rockwall Marine in the morning. I just wish I would be on the lake instead.

Hey RWG: The Fuel Filter Bowl is the Clear Plastic Canister surrounding the filter...When you removed the filter... you've removed the bowl containing it as well. This bowl is a seporator to trap contaminates before they enter the Fuel pump and Carb bowl.

_Being heavier than fuel.... Water will settle in the bottom of this Bowl/Canister. If water is in the bowl... pour it out and check it periodicly to keep it clean.

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Bazztex<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<

I guess mine is a little different. The gas line goes directly into the "nipple" of the fuel filter. There is no bowl or cannister. But then again, I'm no mechanic and I'm probably staring right at it. I'll head over to RM and let them have a look. Thanks again for your thoughts.

hey rockwall, my engine was doing the same thing. took it to a shop and found it was just the fuel pump bulb had came apart inside. they put a new one on, and on the water again. when they shook it you could hear the valve inside had came apart. just a thought

Let us know what you find out from Tommy at Rockwall Marine........its not getting fuel.........usually restriction in fuel line or tank, clogged high speed jets, bad fuel, clogged filter, bad fuel pump, timing not advancing,..........one of those is usually the culprit. Tommy WILL find it.