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Engine stall from idle to fwd (sometimes...)

M

mlawson

New member
Hi, I have a 1975 17' Searay with a Ford 302 and OMC 175 Stringer. The last 3 times out on the water, after being in idle for several minutes or with engine off (dropping a skier, etc.), the engine will stall immediately when I put it in drive. The only way I can move forward is to move the throttle gently into gear and move ahead at the slowest speed while gradually (about 30 seconds) increasing speed. This seems to only happen while in the water, I can't seem to replicate it while on the trailer. It has become increasingly difficult to start over this same time period as well. I have to give it a lot of throttle just to get it started. I've changed out the fuel filter but no change. I'm by no means a mechanic but am pretty handy if I'm told what to do. Water in the fuel? Any help would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.
 
start with a compression test. When there's back pressure from the exhaust being submerged in the lake, a tired engine or engine with one bad cylinder (intake or exh valve issue for example) will act up and on then on the trailer it will work fine with no back pressure.

However, it also sounds like the idle screws might just be set really rich, loading the engine with fuel. Could also try closing the idle mixture screw(s) half a turn.

Also make sure the choke is opening fully. and make sure flame arrester atop carb is clean - 2 things that can result in a really rich mixture.
 
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Hystat, thanks so much for the suggestions. I'll see if I can rent a compression gauge and test the cylinders and make the other adjustments you've described. Thanks again.
 
Another thing to check, maybe your carb accelerator pump is not working properly. To check it, with the choke, & flame arrestor off, look down into the carb, and see if it squirts fuel into the primary venturi's when you pump the throttle? If not, that's your problem.
 
If its a Holley (most likely as year /model) its time for a rebuild and cleaning. Take it to someone who has carb rebuild experence as Holleys are picky on set-up if you have never done a carb before.
 
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