High End Speed Issue...

[superman0722]

Hey Guys (and Don I was sent from the Phoenix forum).
I was out this weekend and ran into a little issue. The 921 Phoenix was running great to start the morning, but once I really started getting on the gas around 55-60mph...the 2012 250 Pro XS began to have a hitch. She would start to slow down, no matter how much I pushed on the gas. Disclaimer...I'm not a gear head by any means. I finished fishing the day just tooling around at about 45mph or less. As the day went on, even doing 45-50mph got tougher and tougher. It just didn't want the gas peddle past 3/4. Ive not had any issues in the 1.5 years that Ive owned her. Just looking for ideas on what might be wrong. I thought originally that it might be a battery issue...so I plugged the boat in as soon as I got home. Most the batteries were around 20% except for my #4 battery (which Im assuming is my Optimax Battery). An hour later I checked the charger...my #1-#3 batteries were charged with the green lights blinking...my #4 was still at 10%. I kept it charging for a few more hours...I checked again...#4 was finally blinking. When I went to just fire her this AM...it took a second turn of the ignition to get it started (which is rare). I ran her down the lake and she ran beautifully. Got it up to 62mph with no issues. Turned around and started coming back but she just wouldn't get there. Same issue again. Could it be a battery going bad? A bad coil? Or is it something else? Hoping its a simple issue. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance.

[Nova Kaw 650]

As per the Merc forum guidelines, and to greatly aid troubleshooting, please provide your motor serial number.

[Nova Kaw 650]

Determine which battery is actually the starting battery, and check the voltage both with the motor running and not running.

[superman0722]

Scott...Will get the serial number asap.

[EuropeanAM]

Please do see the Announcements, and provide the required information. Thanks!

LOAD test that battery to confirm it's ACTUAL (tested) capacity.

Check terminal connections, ensuring CLEAN connections, ENGINE CABLES INSTALLED FIRST, remaining lugs Largest to Smallest.

Finish off connections with a Stainless Locknut (pre-thread nut on a bolt FIRST).

DO NOT use wing nuts.

Then, test voltage AT THE BATTERY before starting engine, and 5 minutes AFTER starting engine. If voltage has not increased into the 13.1-14.5 VDC range, report back for further assistance.

[superman0722]

Okay guys. I have some info for you...

Model - 1251P73ED
Serial - 1B914239

There was also the attached sticker (not sure if it helps).

I put a voltage meter on the battery. Here are the results...
Before Starting - 12.7
1 Minute After Starting (still on the trailer) - 14.3
3 Minutes After Starting (still on the trailer) - 14.3
7 Minutes After Starting (still on the trailer) - 14.3

Decided to run it down the lake and back for 10 minutes...
Ran good for about 2 miles down the lake. Good speed. I didn't try to top it out but got up around 65mph+ with no problems.
Turned around and headed back. Thats when the problem came back. Got to about 58mph and it started sputtering. Id give it a little more gas and trim...it would work for 5 seconds, then start sputtering again. I passed the trailer. Turned around and hit the gas pretty hard. It really didn't like that. Cruised at 45 all the way in...no issues there.

I tested the battery again when I got back. Turned off the engine. It rated at 12.63

All my connections look really good.

Any thoughts?

Thanks gang.

FullSizeRender.jpg

[canadabullet]

Hey Guys (and Don I was sent from the Phoenix forum).
I was out this weekend and ran into a little issue. The 921 Phoenix was running great to start the morning, but once I really started getting on the gas around 55-60mph...the 2012 250 Pro XS began to have a hitch. She would start to slow down, no matter how much I pushed on the gas. Disclaimer...I'm not a gear head by any means. I finished fishing the day just tooling around at about 45mph or less. As the day went on, even doing 45-50mph got tougher and tougher. It just didn't want the gas peddle past 3/4. Ive not had any issues in the 1.5 years that Ive owned her. Just looking for ideas on what might be wrong. I thought originally that it might be a battery issue...so I plugged the boat in as soon as I got home. Most the batteries were around 20% except for my #4 battery (which Im assuming is my Optimax Battery). An hour later I checked the charger...my #1-#3 batteries were charged with the green lights blinking...my #4 was still at 10%. I kept it charging for a few more hours...I checked again...#4 was finally blinking. When I went to just fire her this AM...it took a second turn of the ignition to get it started (which is rare). I ran her down the lake and she ran beautifully. Got it up to 62mph with no issues. Turned around and started coming back but she just wouldn't get there. Same issue again. Could it be a battery going bad? A bad coil? Or is it something else? Hoping its a simple issue. Any thoughts would be greatly appreciated. Thank you all in advance.

Change your red fuel filter on the VST.. It could be a battery issue but your symptoms are more like a plugged filter..

[EuropeanAM]

Change your red fuel filter on the VST.. It could be a battery issue but your symptoms are more like a plugged filter..

I agree, based on the above info.

And, if after replacing the filter the problem seems to persists: TRY temporarily loosening your FUEL CAP (if this can be done safely without water getting in)- to see if the problem IMPROVES.