2004 225 HPDI low end and top end problems?

I was wondering if anyone new what was going on with my engine I have lost all my whole shot and top end in my boat. It used to be able to do 72mph and get out of the whole very quickly. Now it only will top out at 52mph and thats with the motor shooting out a 15ft high rooster tail and it takes for ever to get out of the hole. The motor also went through 48 gallons of gas and a gallon and a half of oil in about a 70mile trip while this was going on in the tournament when this all started happening. When it used to only go through about half that. I've had the powerhead scoped said it all looked good the compression check came back normal and had new plugs put in again. The motor also seems to have a little trouble sometimes while it is in idle because if I give it any gas while it is in idle it will die if I push on it to quickly. I know this is a lot going on but any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Try another prop, sounds like it is slipping http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/glasses.gif

I would guess a fuel injector problem. Sounds like it's dumping way to much fuel to some, or all cylinders with the fuel consumption.....Just a guess though.

What are the RPM's doing at WOT...I would guess it is a prop or set-up problem, since it is throwing the rooster tail now..Is the jackplate set at the same place it has been, or has it moved...

The rooster tail is because I am triming up the motor so high to to even get speed close to 50mph . My RPMs at that speed are around 5000. Which when I was running 72mph previous to this starting to happen it was running around 5800-6000 at WOT at 72mph. Never changed prop motor still in same place on jack plate they checked the injectors to see if they were all good they said they were but you never know that was my first guess also. Thanks for the help keep them coming. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/smile.gif

Since you changed nothing in the setup and your current wrench can’t figure it out, IMO its time to find a new mechanic. Is the engine misfiring or dropping a cylinder? If no misfire is happening and it is basically smooth in all rev levels I would lean away from electrical/ignition issues or dropping of a cylinder. The fact when you pump the throttle at idle and it stalls that sounds like a fuel restriction problem like one of your filters. Do you have a 10 micron installed? How do the plugs look after running? Are they wet fouled, lean or look good?? Sounds like its starving for fuel but the increase in fuel consumption does not add up. If all filters are good and your not dropping a cylinder since your revs do not fluctuate and fuel is not contaminated you may have a lower unit failing which would also cause all the problems you’re experiencing. If power head passes all the tests its time to look at the LU. Did the tech mention LU?

He has not talked about the LU yet this thursday they wanted me take them out in the boat and they are going to hook the computer up to it and I'm going to run the motor and show them exactly what it is doing. It sounds like when it is on top end that it is not running on all 6 cylinders it sounds like it is still in 4. It actually what I explain it as it sounds like a older motor late 80's early 90's model small 25hp motor running at top end it sounds kinda like that i know it sounds goofy but thats what it sounds like. When it is neutral it coughs every now and then but it doesn't die when it does this. But if I give it a bunch of gas in nuetral it dies but If I push in real slow on the hot foot it will slowly idle up fine. http://www.bassboatcentral.com/smileys/doh.gif

So it does sound like it is dropping a cylinder. With it hooked up to the computer while lake testing they should be able to pinpoint what it is doing. Good luck.

Sounds like the switch on the shift linkage that tell the ECU if it is in gear or not.
IF that switch is bad then you will only be running on 4 cylinders all the time.

I will have them check that out when I'm their on thursday. I will let you know what they find out thanks for the help. Hopefully it's something that simple and not going to cost million doolars to fix.

Fuel diaphragms need checking also...been there.

curious if you got that fixed yet. sounds like exact same thing that's going on with my 2002 Vmax. Mine is at the shop right now. Maybe we could compare results?

Found out that I had a oil pump that was going out and it was pumping to much oil which in return ended up fouling out 2 plugs which then droped two cylinders which is what was causing the loss in fuel and power it was dumping fuel to those 2 cylinders and was not burning it off. The oil pump i found out was a recall and replaced the spark plugs and all is well so far. Hope this helps you out.

Good to know! So basically dumping oil and fouling two plugs. All runs good now I'm guessing?

Yes all is running fine at the moment, it was seems to simple if you ask me but that would definatly cause the problems hopefully all keeps working well and not have to worry about it any more.

The shop called me and his exact words were "you lucky,,, (not going to say the rest because it's Mothers day). Turns out mine was a head gasket and thats all. Could've been alot worse. Is there a way to determine if the recall has been done on a particular motor?