After 4 weeks of no sailing, I finally got to take my boat out again. My Westebreke 10hp started easily and went to full RPM in neutral. However when I cleared the marina and throttled up it only went to 2200 RPM at full throttle in forward. (In neutral it goes much higher). I had the local sailboat service company check it out and they said the engine is fine and said I probably had marine growth on the prop (they couldn't check that). This doesn't really make sense to me - while I understand how marine growth might foul the prop, how could it retard RPM? Can anyone give me some ideas on what the problem might be and how to solve? Thanks in advance. Roy
Low RPM
- Thread starter Roy Udwin
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Throttle Cable
Roy, Just a thought, but you might check your throttle cable and your shifter. The cable travel may be compromised when you put the transmission in gear. Peter milne S/V Blue Heron
Roy, Just a thought, but you might check your throttle cable and your shifter. The cable travel may be compromised when you put the transmission in gear. Peter milne S/V Blue Heron
Prop Fouled Causes Redardation!
If your prop is fouled then the spinning action is retarded by the rough surface of the prop causing overload, loss of rpm's and, probably, dark-smoking. OR...maybe electrolysis happened while you were away and the prop was compromised. Have the prop checked.
If your prop is fouled then the spinning action is retarded by the rough surface of the prop causing overload, loss of rpm's and, probably, dark-smoking. OR...maybe electrolysis happened while you were away and the prop was compromised. Have the prop checked.
Low RPM and OVERHEATING too
I once left our boat in summer hot saltwater and did not clean the prop and shaft for about 4 months... Result lower rpm and overheating. Caused a lot of salt to clog the exhaust elbo. Cleaned the prop and shaft and cleaned the exhaust elbo and was fine again. I now clean the prop and shaft at least every month in the summer here. Bill
I once left our boat in summer hot saltwater and did not clean the prop and shaft for about 4 months... Result lower rpm and overheating. Caused a lot of salt to clog the exhaust elbo. Cleaned the prop and shaft and cleaned the exhaust elbo and was fine again. I now clean the prop and shaft at least every month in the summer here. Bill
Also check
your fuel system. First thing is outside, but then start thinking INSIDE. Low rpms may mean feul starvation starting. Changed your fuel filter recently? How's your air intake? Diesels need air and clean fuel. Stu
your fuel system. First thing is outside, but then start thinking INSIDE. Low rpms may mean feul starvation starting. Changed your fuel filter recently? How's your air intake? Diesels need air and clean fuel. Stu
Fouled Prop
Roy, I just went through the exact same problem with my Westerbeke 30 on my ODay, when I gave it more throttle the RPMS would not go up and the boat would not go any faster,if I took it out of gear I could race the engine and RPMs would go up. So I dropped the anchor and went overboard and found my prop fouled, cleaned it off and every thing is AOK, My dock neighbor had the same problem and we think its because of the extra warm water temps we had this summer causing more stuff to grow on the hull and props. Another neighbor had stuff growing in his raw water intake causing him to overheat.
Roy, I just went through the exact same problem with my Westerbeke 30 on my ODay, when I gave it more throttle the RPMS would not go up and the boat would not go any faster,if I took it out of gear I could race the engine and RPMs would go up. So I dropped the anchor and went overboard and found my prop fouled, cleaned it off and every thing is AOK, My dock neighbor had the same problem and we think its because of the extra warm water temps we had this summer causing more stuff to grow on the hull and props. Another neighbor had stuff growing in his raw water intake causing him to overheat.
Weeds are my problem...
this time of the season. The prop picks up a bunch and out comes the black smoke when you give it throttle. I vote for the fouled prop syggestion. Kevin
this time of the season. The prop picks up a bunch and out comes the black smoke when you give it throttle. I vote for the fouled prop syggestion. Kevin
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