I have an intermittent problem that is driving me nuts.

[scubatelco]

Can a stuck carb float stall the engine. I will going along at 5,000 rpms and all of a sudden the engine stalls and stops. I have drained the internal tank, used a portable tank, changed the filters, still does it. The engine starts right up and sometimes will bog but most of the time I am back to 5,000 rpms. I don't like to push the engine past 5,000, so this is my WOT limit.

[ChampioNman]

Does it happen after hitting a wave? Does it just cut off and completely shut down? You may have an electrical gremlin in the ignition system.

[scubatelco]

No waves just cuts out and dies. Then it starts right up and away I go again, sometimes for a few miles and sometimes for a few hundred feet . I just keep throwing money at this engine. The shop charged me $377.00 to sync and link and rebuild the fuel pump. They worked on it for a few days and could not figure out. New plugs twice this year too. Same issues still happening. The timer base is new and the regulator is one year old. What next, the power pack? Could it be a simple sensor flaking out? Seems to run good until it heats up. I am at a total loss.

Thanks for any help ChampioNman

[Danrude]

Do you loose power to the instrument pannel when it happens? You may have a falty key switch or broken wire at the connector for the switch. I also read response given by SeaHorse about heavy items attached to the key that would actually turn the key off. It would not take mouch with a warn key switch to cause it to turn off. Here is a link that may help. http://continuouswave.com/whal....html

[97Champ181]

My 1997 Johnson 150 Fast strike was cutting out and stalling on me earlier this year. It acted like someone had pulled the kill switch. Mine would also start back up right away. It turned out to be a power pack problem. I replaced it, along with the optical sensor, and haven't had any trouble since.

[Zpilot]

Had the same problem with a 1991 150 faststrike. Replaced the powerpack, still had the problem, replaced the optical sensor, problem solved.

[scubatelco]

I will have to check, I don't know if I have an optical sensor on my motor. Thanks for the responses

[ChampioNman]

You don't.

[scubatelco]

I didn't think so . I checked the manual last night and made sure, no optical sensor. These intermittent problems are a real pain to track down. You can meter out the wiring and all test fine. I guess I'll have to buy a power pack and hope that fixes it. It's time to start throwing parts at it till it's fixed. I would like to know which parts are more likely to cause the trouble, any ideas?

[ChampioNman]

How is your plug burn? Should all be a nice cocoa brown on the electrodes. Coils are the cheapest thing and if one is breaking down you'd kick you self for buying a $200+ PP and not fix the issue. Have you replaced the plug wires yet?

[scubatelco]

No I have not replaced plug wires or coils. Don't the plug wires come with the coils? I'll start with the coils and wires, thanks for the help!!. I think I'll buy two each to cut down on the trouble shooting time.

[ChampioNman]

Nope the plug wires aren't attached to the coils. Shoot me your address in an IM and I can send you some. I have a bunch.

[scubatelco]

IM sent Thank You When I go home tonight, I checked the plugs. 1,2,4l were a nice light brown. The #3-4 plugs were a little wet but that could be the cycle the engine was in when it was turned off. The #3 plug was a little less brown and a little black.


Modified by scubatelco at 4:58 PM 10/13/2011

[ChampioNman]

John,
Sorry for the delay 4 coils and plug wires on their way should be there Wednesday. Happy troubleshooting.

[scubatelco]

WOW I didn't except the coils! Thanks so much ChampioNman!!! I went ahead and bought a new power pack. I just switched them out and noticed the old one had a pinched wire(pink/white) under the cover screw going to the timer base. Could this be the #3 cylinder timer? My manual only shows the wiring and not what it is for. The insulation cut open and the copper wire showing. I will see what happens this weekend when I have daylight to take the boat out for a run.

[ChampioNman]

That would do it!

[scubatelco]

Took it for a spin and all seems great. Thank you ChampioNman for all the help. By the way, I have not yet received any coils or plug wires. Looks like I will not need them. Thanks Again.

[ChampioNman]

Coils make it there?

[scubatelco]

not yet

[ChampioNman]

Damn Cliff Clavin and the post office!