in water engine dies on muffs engine runs great?

[scubatelco]

What the heck could cause this. When I put the boat in the water, the engine starts right up, idles slow and dies.
It will start up right away and continue to do the same thing.
When I put it on the water hose, she starts right up and runs fine.
I have noticed lots of water running out of the midsection when I put on the water hose before I start the engine. Is this is normal, I am guessing that the water pump has worked loose, but could this cause the engine to die?

[hsb]

As for the first part about it not running in water but will on a hose, not sure, but Im sure someone much more in the know will come along. As for part two and the water out of the midsection on the hose, youre all good.

[Bassmeister]

Sounds like it could be a pack, put a timing light on the wires and see if all are firing.

[jaybird1]

Do a compression test and while running in the water keep the motor trimmed level or up just a little. Maybe it's running rich.

[JER-1 BIG BASS]

Whats your rpm's set up on the hose, set em about 200 250 rpms higher on the hose than called for ,then the back pressure of the water when in the river or lake will be close to correct.
BIG BASS

[Charlie Chan]

<table width="90%" cellspacing=0 cellpadding=0 align=center><tr><td>Quote, originally posted by scubatelco &raquo;</td></tr><tr><td class="quote">What the heck could cause this. When I put the boat in the water, the engine starts right up, idles slow and dies.
It will start up right away and continue to do the same thing.
When I put it on the water hose, she starts right up and runs fine.
I have noticed lots of water running out of the midsection when I put on the water hose before I start the engine. Is this is normal, I am guessing that the water pump has worked loose, but could this cause the engine to die?</td></tr></table>
When you set your idle adjustment on your motor, I bet you did it on the muffs. You need back pressure. To tweak the idle. Set them at 3 out and they should settle in that range.

[scubatelco]

Thanks for all the suggestions! I'll give them all a try and let you know what happens. Thanks again.

[scubatelco]

Took out the timing light and can not adjust the #1 hole past 4 degrees., it should be 8 degrees but the screw is all the way out. I replaced the timer base last spring and was able to adjust the timing right on.

Dropped the lower unit and when on a hose it leaks from the water pump around the drive shaft, is this OK?

[fast fred]

That is normal on the water pump. When it is inplace the rubber O gasket on the top of the housing seals up the midsection. I think Charlie was wanting you to adjust your idle jets not the timing.

[scubatelco]

Thanks, I did play with the idle jets but it did not make any difference. I tried 2 turns 2 1/2 and 3 turns out.

[Mark Tr.]

I remember reading a post acouple of weeks back by one of the moderators can't remember which one that said in the water the engine has more back pressurre and if it doesn't run right its a sign of a weak power pack.

[jaybird1]

What rpm is it idleing at in the water? Any fuel in the water?

[scubatelco]

The problem now has changed to will not idle at all. After installing the lower unit and starting up on the hose. It now starts and dies just like it was doing in the lake.
I messed with the adjustments for idle, idle bleed air, and throttle linkage. Still no good. Starts right up but then dies. If I give some more throttle, it will continue to run at 2000 rpm's and above.
I know the timing is not correct. I can not adjust it farther than 4 degrees and it should be at 8.

[jaybird1]

See what a compression test tells you.