Engine Tries to Die Above Idle

[tarkio]

I have a 97 Maxum 1900 with a 4.3L engine. Have only had it out 3 times since buying it this Summer.

Last weekend we were out and it ran fine. We stopped for about 30 minutes out in the lake while trying to get kids comfortable being in the water with lifejackets. Fired up the engine no problem. As soon as I advanced the throttle beyond idle, it tried to die. Drop it back to idle no problem. Advance again and it tried to die. Shifted into reverse and the same thing. So I puttered back to the dock scratching my head.

Thought maybe I was about out of gas and running on reserve or some such thing. So tied up, went and got 5 gallons of gas. Fired up right away and ran fine when I pulled away from the dock to add some fuel. Put 5 gallons in it and it ran fine. In other words, seemed to run fine before adding fuel when we moved away from the dock to fuel.

Any ideas? I am wanting to go to a new lake where a person can run 50+ miles up lake and don't think this sounds fun until I have a little more confidence in the engine.

Thanks.

[seapuppy]

may be dirt in the pickup or the filter is partially blocked...I'd definitley look in that area....could alos be a seperating or bad fuel line...could be lotsa things...blocked tank vent....just to name a few..



SP :hello:

[tarkio]

Tank vent is good. The itinerant aspect is what's puzzling.

Can you tell me where the fuel filter is so I can change it before going out. Is it in the fuel line near the tank or near the carb? One or two filters?

Also, off-topic, sort of, how accurate are the fuel gauges on these boats? I know that airplane gauges are horrible, but I hoped a boat fuel gauge would be reliable.

[Big Daddy]

Your fuel filter/water separator is typically mounted on a bracket near the front of the engine. Looks just like an oil filter in size and shape. Some Rochester (GM) carburetors also have a small mesh filter just inside where the steel fuel line connects to the carburetor. Make sure you use a flare nut wrench to remove the flare compression nut -- otherwise you'll round off the corners on this nut and never get it out.

Another possibility is the anti-siphon valve, located right at the fitting on the fule tank where your neoprene fule line connects.