2nd time out and engine problems - suggestions needed

[bedouin]

Last Saturday I finally got the main sail installed and took the out to Tampa Bay for a short sail. Only had an hour sail but it was great. Did not open the genny as I wanted to get comfortable with the main first.

Today I had planned on a nice day of sailing but as I got close to the drawbridge (knowing it would open in 10 minutes) I began to increase the speed and at just over 4,000rpm the engine lost power and reduced the rpms. The engine never quit but as I would bring up the speed again and once I went over 4,000rpms I would lose power just as the first time.

I have a 2008 Evenrude 50 etec. It was just serviced in January (as the previous owner put it up for sale at that time and it was never used again) and I bought it in June and I've only been out a few times.

I have not pulled the plugs yet, will do that tomorrow but I don't that is the problem. The fuel I used today was about 3 weeks old. Filter looked ok but that may not mean anything.

I thought I would try a few things first before I look for a mechanic so any suggestion would be greatly welcomed.

Thanks

Matthew

[kadet]

Check for kinks or bends in the fuel line, if your tanks have vents check they are open. I had a similar problem and it was a sharp bent in fuel line where the installer had bent it to zip tie it to the instrument wire bundle, once I cut the zips and open out the bend to long sweeping curve to an external fuel filter no further problems.. The bend was not severe but enough to starve the engine at high RPM. Remember if you pull the plugs to index them when you put them back. Good luck.

[Azzarac]

Although I can not find the post now, I swear someone else posted the exact same issue with their Etech about a month ago. If memory serves it turned out to be the tach sensor.

[Ormonddude]

Check the fuel filter/separator sometimes when there is water in it only a strong draw will pull water into the engine and make it drop rpm

[mastreb]

Open the gas tank vents or open the gas cap and see if the problem goes away. Sounds like the motor is being starved of fuel at higher flow rates.

[Tomfoolery]

Although I can not find the post now, I swear someone else posted the exact same issue with their Etech about a month ago. If memory serves it turned out to be the tach sensor.

I was going to say that if the OP is basing this phenomenon on an observed 4000 rpm engine speed, what's to say the engine is actually spinning at 4k rpm. I would start with an independent engine speed measurement with a handheld tach. If it really is 4k rpm, I'd also try it in gear and in neutral, as in neutral very little fuel is used, so if it does the same thing reliably under different loading conditions, that would point to the electronics.

All of that is based, of course, on my essentially zero knowledge of the workings of an etec outboard.

[bedouin]

Ok, I will check out the fuel line and vent today. Also I don't have an external filter that filters out any water or whatever only the fuel filter inside the engine compartment. Guess I need to put that on my to do list. I did switch to the 12 gallon fuel tank yesterday, first time I used it in a while so the vent may be closed and I did top off that tank yesterday too.

Also looks like I need to drop the bottom part of the cover to reach the bottom plug. Probably a good time to get a service manual, think I have seen them at West Marine.

I have a bunch of other questions that I have come across since I bought my back in June.

Is there anybody in the Tampa Bay area? I would love to meet up and get you pros to show me how it is done!!!

Thanks

Matthew

[kitcat]

I had exactly the same problem with my 2009 Etec 60 a couple of years ago, it was fine at lower revs, but as soon as I got it up around 3500 - 4000 it started spluttering and wouldn't go any faster. I had just reversed over my dinghy painter and tangled the prop. so thought it was something do with this, but, no. The Etec will run without the safety cord attached, but not over 4000revs or so. Before you start pulling your motor apart, check the simple stuff - was your safety cord clip on the ignition switch correctly?

Whatever the problem though, do let us know for future use.

Best of luck with the problem.

Paul.

[chuck]

Ok, I will check out the fuel line and vent today. Also I don't have an external filter that filters out any water or whatever only the fuel filter inside the engine compartment. Guess I need to put that on my to do list. I did switch to the 12 gallon fuel tank yesterday, first time I used it in a while so the vent may be closed and I did top off that tank yesterday too.

Also looks like I need to drop the bottom part of the cover to reach the bottom plug. Probably a good time to get a service manual, think I have seen them at West Marine.

I have a bunch of other questions that I have come across since I bought my back in June.

Is there anybody in the Tampa Bay area? I would love to meet up and get you pros to show me how it is done!!!

Thanks

Matthew

You can get a 2008 Service manual download from this web site for $14.95:

http://www.tradebit.com/filedetail.php/ ... c-40-65-hp

I just got one for my 2007 ETec 60 yesterday. Can print any pages you need.

Chuck

[bedouin]

Well just got back from a spin in the intercoastal and all is well. First I checked the vent on the 12 gal tank that I had just switched to yesterday and it was opened but not all the way so I cranked it open. Next I just unscrewed the top and keep it open as I increased the speed to over 4,000rpms and the same thing happened but then it regained speed a bit so I was pretty sure it was a fuel problem. It did it a couple more times as I kept the throttle open and it seemed to work its way out. Motored around for another 20 minutes and contemplated heading towards the Anna Maria Island bridge and out into Tampa Bay but decided against it for a couple of reasons.

Not sure about putting up the genoa and how all the rigging works so thought I would post that next. The other problem is my depth sensor has broken it's two plastic brackets that hold it on. This is my first one so don't know that much about it. I'll post that one too.

So all and all motor is working fine but a good lesson learned. I will now download that manual and have a couple of spare plugs ready. Think I may buy the external fuel filter too and install it.

Thank you to all that posted.

Matthew