2002 EFI 225hp engine troubles

I recently purchased a stratos with a 2002 EFI 225hp. It ran like a top the first 6 or seven times I have taken it out. WOT at 5800-5900 rpms. It started missing or skipping a touch on hole shot and acceleration. I was not able to find quikcleen anywhere in town but was told by two different mechanics I should Yamaha Ring Free. I dosed it up a just a touch over 1 oz. per 10 gallons. I didn't want to shock it cause I had a tournament today. We ran 50 miles one way. WOT for maybe 10 miles then the rest was around 4500 to 4800 rpms to save fuel. It skipped only once. Ran great. The first time to move spots it didn't skip but kinda bogged out on the hole shot. And then it skipped a few times on acceleration up to about 5000 rpms. After this it ran great on hole shots and throughout up to WOT. Then we headed back for weigh-in. It ran great the first half which was mostly at WOT. The second half crossing the bay was rough water and we took it easy but got banged up pretty good. Once we cleared the rough water I opened it up to about 5200 and it all the sudden bogged out and acted like we were out of gas. Luckily close to a marina so we tried to gas up. For some reason the gas wouldn't flow down into the tank like there was an air bubble or something. We finally got a few gallons in. Pulled out the hole shot was fine. Then got up to about 5000 rpms and it acted like it wanted to bog out again and I backed it down to about 4000. We made it back late for weigh in unfortunately but very confused about what's goin on. Sorry for such a long post, but thought the actions were important. If anyone has any ideas for me it would be much appreciated.

I also have the same motor, great motor, hard on fuel. I had to replace a coil on mine. It was missing at low speeds.
could be the fuel line breaking down because of the ethenol in the fuel. look for a post in the mercury 3 liter high perf. section. Don Weed is the man to ask, no one is better. Good luck

Welcome to BBC! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/thumbsup2.gif

Before you go into any great, lengthy and expensive work- I'd look very carefully at the following post, and take it to heart:

http://www.bbcboards.net/zerot...first

Also recommend that you check the VENT for your fuel tank. Sounds like it MIGHT be plugged..... http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

Thank you for acceptance to BBC and the advice. I have been running non ethanol fuel religiously as did the previous owner or at least using stabil so he said. I will still check and replace those lines and filter no matter what. Using the Yamaha Ring Free have anything to do with my problem by clearing carbon deposits and getting hung up?? Or plugs?? How should I go about checking the vent??

I just checked the lines. They seem to be completely normal. I attached some pics. No breakup or inner liner that can break up. Just black and clean. The only thing that didn't seem right was the bulb. Its insides rattle around like they are lost.http://i27.tinypic.com/k3q3nt.jpghttp://i30.tinypic.com/1ywzrq.jpg


Modified by Pintail at 10:45 AM 7/11/2010

Is this the line that you have running ALL THE WAY into the cowling (including between the primer bulb and the engine)? That would be "unusual".....

There is a check valve in the primer bulb.... it "may" rattle. However- with this particular component, I've found it best to live by: "If in doubt- throw it out". http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

No this line is only between the primer bulb and cowling. There is a thicker line from bulb to the tank with no visible writing on it. It is a two layer black hose. No inner lining to break up in it either. There is a splice to another black hose going into the cowling to the fuel pump.

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by Pintail &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">No this line is only between the primer bulb and cowling. There is a thicker line from bulb to the tank with no visible writing on it. It is a two layer black hose. No inner lining to break up in it either. There is a splice to another black hose going into the cowling to the fuel pump. </td></tr></table>

A two layer black hose DOES have an inner lining... and it CAN separate mid-hose, allowing the inner lining to be sucked flat. Really annoying..... been there and done that! http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/wink.gif

Ok, so this is probably the factory Stratos hose. I checked the filter and it was pretty clean. Just some tiny black particles settled out of it. Could this inner lining get hung up in the primer bulb??

Sure can!

Pin, found that same material in my fuel filter. Some of your problems were what I experienced. I had all fuel lines and primer bulb replaced. I also had to have my fuel injectors cleaned and flow checked. After that it was smooth sailin.

Well I discovered the primer bulb was the culprit as far as I know. I had mentioned that it rattled a little more than it should. I cut it open yesterday and the check valve on the output side was just layin freely in pieces in the bottom of the bulb. I'm guessing the five foot rollers we encountered on the Waccamaw shook it free. I think the ball was impeding the flow without the spring in place to stabilize it. Hopefully it was a $15 fix. I ran it last night. It acted like nothing ever happened. I was only able to run it for a few miles though before the storm hit. I am gonna go ahead and change my fuel lines and I bought a set of plugs as well. I really appreciate ur help Mr. Don as well as everyone else!!