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Hello everyone, first time on this forum. Recently purchased a 1995 Four Winns 190 Horizon with 5.0 FL engine and Cobra outdrive. Here is the issue I am having:

Starts and idles very smooth, smooth acceleration in neutral. When in the water, the boat will start and idle like it does on the hose, will get up to plane instantly and run very very smooth. After maintaining anything more than 2000 rpms for more than 10-15 seconds, the engine will start to shutter like its running out of fuel and then die. It will start right back up and will have no problems free reving in neutral or you can start it, put it right back into gear and give WOT and it will be fine but it you hold over 2k rpms, it will shutter and die if you do not kick it into idle fast enough. Have checked all filters, checked carb float, everything fuel related that I can think of. I would like to replace the fuel pump and carburetor but being that I am not very marine minded, I would like to ask your guys opinion on a good replacement. Should I try to locate the same carb or rebuild or replace with a small 4 bbl like the holley 470 cfm? Any advise would be greatlly appreciated...the fish are bittin and I hated having to limp my boat back to the boat ramp at around 8 mph for over 4 miles. Thanks for any input or advise given.

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1995 Four Winns 190 Horizon--5.0 FL--Cobra Outdrive

1978 Polar Kraft 1444 W/ Polaris 750 triple engine and pump.

Anti siphon valve on the gas tank where the hose that goes to the fuel pump connects to the tank.
The valve has a spring loaded ball inside that closes when the engine is off. This is a safety feature that would stop gas from leaking into the bilge if that hose leaked. When they corrode inside they can restrict fuel fliw and cause the exact symptom you reported.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Thank you for that information!!! I did not know, so I am taking it that it will be connected to the take itself or is it inline? What is the best way to get to it?

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1995 Four Winns 190 Horizon--5.0 FL--Cobra Outdrive

1978 Polar Kraft 1444 W/ Polaris 750 triple engine and pump.

So I have done some reading up on this valve and I am thinking that this could be my ticket. As to where it was at and how to get to it, I apologize for replying before thinking haha. I will pull up the tank cover in the morning when I get home and remove the valve to check it out. I have read that if it is the aluminum one, then I should change it out for a brass one? I am wanting to clean out my tank anyways so this may be a good time to add just a regular fitting, pressurize my tank to flush it out, add some sort of cleaner to the tank then flush and refill will fresh fuel along with the new valve. I am hoping this is my issue anyways because if not, its the fuel pump which is over $100...which is ridicules for a mechanical fuel pump.

PS- now that I am thinking about it, while I was on the water a few days ago, I removed my soft line going to my seperator and clamped it straight to the hard line going to the fuel pump to bypass the fuel/water seperator. I done this to verify that the filter was not plugged up and see if it made a difference (it is hooked back up after the test) but I noticed that when I took the soft fuel line off the seperator, I had zero fuel come out. I was expecting fuel to dribble out when I unhooked it but nothing came out...which could possibly mean that the ball is stuck in an almost but not quite closed position, which would allow it to idle and run fine at lower RPMS, drain fuel back to tank and starve my carb at higher constant RPMs due to the lack of flow..........Im beginning to be a happy camper.

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1995 Four Winns 190 Horizon--5.0 FL--Cobra Outdrive

1978 Polar Kraft 1444 W/ Polaris 750 triple engine and pump.

Yes you will find it right where the fuel pick up comes out of the tank, be careful because they can get corroded in place.
Do not pressurize the tank they are tested to only 3 psi. That can be dangerous. The most I'd do is remove the 5 bolts or screws that hold the gas gauge sending unit and look in the tank with a bright flashlight. If it's clean you're fine just use a new gasket putting it together. If you see a lot of crud in the tank I'd get it professionally cleaned. Gas vapor is extremely dangerous.

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88 Four Winns 200 Horizon
4.3 OMC Cobra-4bbl
2002 Walker Bay 10/2012 Suzuki 2.5
2008 Walker Bay 8

1998 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.0/Selectrac
2007 Jeep Grand Cherokee 5.7 Hemi/Quadradrive II

Thanks for in advise on the tank. I did pull the valve and it was packed with black, plastic looking crap. I cleaned it all out and it seems to function nice and smooth again (it is the aluminum one). I pulled the sending unit and you could see bits of black stuff floating around near the bottom...looks almost like someone had used a new fuel can without cleaning it out first since I found bits of plastic shavings in the valve as well. My plan is to hook up an external electric fuel pump with an inline filter and circulate the fuel until the tank looks clean inside. This way I dont have to worry about installing the valve back and having it plug again.

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1995 Four Winns 190 Horizon--5.0 FL--Cobra Outdrive

1978 Polar Kraft 1444 W/ Polaris 750 triple engine and pump.