Engine problems at low speed.

LVChris · **Posted:** Sat Aug 25, 2012 11:55 pm

This is a tough one to explain, but i'll try to do my best.
Boat is a new (to me) 1996 Four Winns Vista 238 DLX with a Volvo Penta 5.8Fi

After a wonderful day on the beach I returned to the marina with no problems. The marina is no wake and while putt-ing through the miles of boats, my boat started to "go in and out?" I mean the motor would keep reving, thottle on, then off. I wasn't doing anything.
I put her in neutral and revved the engine a bit, heard a lot of "pops" and tried again, ok for a few minutes and back to cutting out.
I headed back to open water (another story why, silly marina rules) and gave her some gas and whe kept stalling but only for a second, then right back to throttle. She never stopped, just ran funny? After several cycles of this she finally kicked in and ran great!

I don't even know what to call this, so it's hard to google. Any help out there tonight? I have her slipped for the evening and will be out again tomorrow assuming she'll run.

Thanks,

rpengr · **Posted:** Sun Aug 26, 2012 9:15 am

First thing I would check would be to drain the fuel/water separator and check for water in the fuel.

LVChris · **Posted:** Sun Aug 26, 2012 9:54 am

rpengr wrote:

First thing I would check would be to drain the fuel/water separator and check for water in the fuel.

Sorry to sound stupid, but I can't find any information on how to do that, where it is located, what it is. I keep googling but can find nothing. Is it just a fuel filter? Or is it different a fuel/water separating filter?

Is there a instruction sheet on how to remove it?

TIA

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Sun Aug 26, 2012 10:40 am

Hey Chris, take your fuel filter off (located front of engine, on the right as you look at it), empty the filter into a glass container, if there is any water, it will settle on bottom. If no water, could be caused by dirty filter, since ya have it off change it. Do you add Sta-Bil to your gas at fill-up? I just started doing that and have noticed a big improvement it starting and idle...

LVChris · **Posted:** Sun Aug 26, 2012 11:01 am

NiagaraChillin wrote:

Hey Chris, take your fuel filter off (located front of engine, on the right as you look at it), empty the filter into a glass container, if there is any water, it will settle on bottom. If no water, could be caused by dirty filter, since ya have it off change it. Do you add Sta-Bil to your gas at fill-up? I just started doing that and have noticed a big improvement it starting and idle...

Interesting that this was the first time I had used Sta-bil, my first thought was that that additive had somehow caused the problem. Obviously that's probably not the case. Another thought is we had a biblical rainfall here this week, maybe somehow some water got in my fuel tank (not sure how, but things happen). I jus filled the tank too, might be just bad gas. 50 gallons of crap gas.....

I'm going to run her again today and see what happens. Thanks for the support here.

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Sun Aug 26, 2012 11:40 am

Rain could have got in your fill cap, especially if it was a huge monsoon type rain. Check the screws that fasten in to your stern. Mine had 2 that needed tightening, also check the gasket, might be dry rotted from that Vegas sun.

Sta-Bil shouldn't cause it to cut out and run rough...

LouC · **Posted:** Sun Aug 26, 2012 11:49 am

Right, weren't you asking about water in the gas a few days back?

LVChris · **Posted:** Sun Aug 26, 2012 1:38 pm

LouC wrote:

Right, weren't you asking about water in the gas a few days back?

Not me, as for fuel cap, I know the gasket was replaced a month ago. I will check the screw thanks

ric · **Posted:** Sun Aug 26, 2012 3:11 pm

Could be water in the gas, could be a bad IAC. They go bad, no big deal. Pick one up at any auto parts store.

LVChris · **Posted:** Sun Aug 26, 2012 10:27 pm

ric wrote:

Could be water in the gas, could be a bad IAC. They go bad, no big deal. Pick one up at any auto parts store.

iAC?

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Aug 27, 2012 6:44 am

idle air control valve.....first thing I'd do is remove the fuel filter and dump the gas in a glass jar and let it sit. If there is water you will see a layer of it on the bottom. If so then you may need to get the tank cleaned out. If not start looking at the ignition system first then fuel system..
Other things that can cause bad running that many people miss...
fuel tank vent
anti-siphon valve

LVChris · **Posted:** Mon Aug 27, 2012 8:37 am

Well to update, she left us stranded on the lake yesterday. We left the bay, I stayed close for a bit, when I thought things were ok I headed toward the cove we were going to swim in. Got about a mile, she started surging (I was doing about 25 mph at the time) then she cut out. I was never able to get her started after that. Had to get towed back. Also found out my VHF radio doesn't broadcast, have to get that fixed as well. Calling mechanic today.

LouC · **Posted:** Mon Aug 27, 2012 8:43 am

Let us know the outcome, inquiring minds want to know......

NiagaraChillin · **Posted:** Mon Aug 27, 2012 9:06 am

Sorry to hear ya had to get towed, sucks big time. Second LouC, lets us know what the prob was....

LVChris · **Posted:** Tue Aug 28, 2012 7:33 pm

Mechanic looked at her today, No water in the the water/fuel seperator. Removed, inspected and cleaned the anti-siphon valve. Checked power on fuel pump. All good. Suspect fuel pump and is now securing one for replacement, we'll know in the next couple of days.

www.iFourWinns.com

Engine problems at low speed.

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