50 HP Nissan Dies on me when Idling back to Dock

[Shawn Man]

Hi,
I have 1998 Macgregor 26 which was tuned up last year. However since i'm new in the sailing scene (2 Years), my biggest fear/challenge is when i'm idleing back toward the dock to load it on trailer. Since i have to park it on the dock and go grab the trailer, it could be a challenge to steer and park it in between other parked boats on the dock.
The engine dies on me. It works perfectly any other times.
Could it be the fuel Hose "O" rings or Carb or Spark plugs? I got an estimate but it's around $400. Is it something i can do myself?
Where can i find "O" rings for it?

 

[caguy]

Most likely it is your idle jets are plugged. Carburetor needs to be cleaned.

 

[Shawn Man]

Most likely it is your idle jets are plugged. Carburetor needs to be cleaned.

Thanks for the comment. I just saw very fine cracks on the "O" rings and thought it has something to do with that.

do i go to Nissan dealership or any boat store for "O" rings?

I put fuel stablizer in the boat's tanks and ran it for a good 5-10 minutes before winterizing it in the back yard. wouldn't that be good enough for cleaining the jets???
I'll look at the Carburator the first sunny/warm day North Pacific coast would grant us.

 

[timebandit]

Small air leak will do that or maybe you just need to turn up the idle a little.

 

[Cameo380]

I have a similar problem with my 60 hours BF50 Honda. Specially when docking in and out. the engine dies when I go from forward to reverse and vs. It gets scary when I back up into the fairway and as I put it in forward it dies with boat still going backward toward other boats... I told Honda about the problem and they said it just needs a tune up... The rest of the time she runs fine...

 

[beamreach]

Thanks for the comment. I just saw very fine cracks on the "O" rings and thought it has something to do with that.

do i go to Nissan dealership or any boat store for "O" rings?

I put fuel stablizer in the boat's tanks and ran it for a good 5-10 minutes before winterizing it in the back yard. wouldn't that be good enough for cleaining the jets???
I'll look at the Carburator the first sunny/warm day North Pacific coast would grant us.

If you are using last year's fuel even with the stabilizer, I would think your fuel is old. I winterized my fuel in a Tohatsu 4 stroke and the motor struggled to keep running at idle the first time I took it out in the spring. I poured the fuel into my tractor and refueled the outboard with new gas. No more problems. The current 10% alcohol fuel seems to go bad, seperate and collect moisture after six to eight months. I read recently that 15% alcohol in gas will soon be the standard. Not a promising prospect for boaters or folks like me that drive old cars. You might try running fresh gas in your motor to see if it makes a difference.

 

[caguy]

If you are using last year's fuel even with the stabilizer, I would think your fuel is old. I winterized my fuel in a Tohatsu 4 stroke and the motor struggled to keep running at idle the first time I took it out in the spring. I poured the fuel into my tractor and refueled the outboard with new gas. No more problems. The current 10% alcohol fuel seems to go bad, seperate and collect moisture after six to eight months. I read recently that 15% alcohol in gas will soon be the standard. Not a promising prospect for boaters or folks like me that drive old cars. You might try running fresh gas in your motor to see if it makes a difference.

As long as you are doing that, you might want to pick up AV100LL gas at you local airport.

 

[MrBill_FLL]

I'm with beamreach, fuel is too old... 6months is my max WITH stabil.

can you try it with a portable tank and see if that changes anything?

 

[Shawn Man]

I'm with beamreach, fuel is too old... 6months is my max WITH stabil.

can you try it with a portable tank and see if that changes anything?

Thank you all for your input.

I have to stress that this problem occurs ONLY when i'm coasting back towards the dock. Basically at low revs.
I run the engine b4 launching it when it's on a trailer. It works fine. one launched is can pretty much rev it up just enough to avoid the problem and to take off safely from the dock.
However it's when i'm coming back to the dock that i have to watch my speed and coast it in. It doesn't happen during shifting from forward to reverse. It happens as it's just coasting towards the dock.