1988 XP200 power reeds, will they help?

[DJDeron]

I posted this on the general forum and was told to post it here for Rusty, Championman and Seahorse. My 1988 XP200 runs pretty good but just like anyone I want the best performance I can get. I was wondering if the Boyesen power reeds are worth the effort. Last year we rejetted the carbs to help with the "sneezing" at idle but I would still love to smooth out the "shake and shimmy" if possible. I have a noticable hesitation at take off as well. I know this motor is getting old and I don't expect any miracles. It still has good compression all 'round though and any boost in performance would be great. Thanks for any suggestions!

1988 Stratos 201PRO
1988 Evinrude XP200
Props- 24" Raker & 23" Renegade

[THE WITCHDOCTOR]

What was the reason for the rejetting? Just curious... The reeds imo aren't worth the money.. no real performance gains to be made, little better idle, no top in gain... might want to re-investigate the jetting issue and really look at the carbs as far as the idle problem. Make sure to look at the recirculation valves as well as no air leaks, as they will cause a bad idle... Just a few things to check.. Sure the pros will know a few more ideals..!

[DJDeron]

A "sneeze" from running too lean would kill my motor after two or three times at idle. My local marina, who has always done a good job for me, checked everything out and said that between being older itself and the quality of fuel going down over the past twenty years that many of these motors need to have smaller idle orifices put in to richen the mixture. They did this and it runs a lot better (compared to my father-in-laws 150 of the same era, mine purrs like a kitten). I just thought maybe the reeds might smooth it out a little more and help with the hesitation at take off.

If you guys think I'm asking too much of this older motor I'll leave it alone. I have been burned before by ignoring the old saying "if it ain't broke don't fix it".

[ChampioNman]

Save the money and run quality oil in it. Do like WD says and check all the recirc fittings and replace the hoses. Have the sync n link checked and adjusted. If the motor sneezes too bad you will cough a Boyensen right out the exhaust. Then you have to go through the trouble of having to pull the carbs, intake manifold. Install everything back and then still have to play with the timing I think Boyensen calls for a +3* timing advance for your motor. CM

[DJDeron]

What oil do you recommend? Also, when I got this boat two years ago the VRO pump had already been disconnected. I don't know whether it stopped working, or they just unplugged it. Would this make a difference in performance? I try to be accurate when measuring oil to premix 50:1. THanks.

[ChampioNman]

Well you know what my answer is going to be..but any tcw3 rated oil will be fine if you are pre-mixing. You can get XD-25/30 (samething) at Wallyworld. No difference in performance. 16 oz to 6 gallons of gas= 50:1.

[Bassmeister]

Awesome Bullet runs the xd-50 in his Yammie and loves it!! He tore it down to get her ready for the new racing season and sait the parts were so slick it was hard to hold em!!!