Sail Master 8HP help

[dscribner]

This isn't really a sailing question, per se, but I still need an answer. My kicker starts on the first, maybe second pull, but lacks power. It lags and seems like it's going towards stalling, but keeps on running. If I squeeze the primer bulb, after 20 seconds or so it will gain some power but never full power. There's plenty of water coming out of the line so it isn't overheating. I've changed the gas, the fuel line fittings, added enzymes, fresh oil and a fuel filter. I've even taped over all the fittings, to no air is getting into the line.

Any ideas before I start getting stupid and turning wrenches?

 

[Joe]

I had a Johnson 15hp sailmaster, similar issues as you describe. I took it to a mechanic... they broke it down and said that the bearings, crank shaft, cylinders were worn out, affecting compression and other things. A complet rebuild was needed. However, repair costs for the problem were excessive.... So... if you can locate parts and you are handy with rebuilding engines.... go for it. Otherwise... start looking for another unit.

I ended up finding a used 9.9 hp tohatsu electric, remote for $800. Less than the cost of repairing the Johnson and a far superior motor, in my opinon. The cost of the mechanics opinion was well worth the money I saved on repairs that allowed me to make a far better investment in the Tohatsu.

 

[tommays]

I think I would see if you have a bit of compression and invest in a carb kit (with a full teardown and soak) and then a fuel pump if you have to keep pumping the bulb

 

[Manureva]

I think I would see if you have a bit of compression and invest in a carb kit (with a full teardown and soak) and then a fuel pump if you have to keep pumping the bulb

mee too

 

[SycloneDriver]

That sounds like a clasic carb issue.
Take the carb off and take it home. Take it apart and clean it with carb spray and compressed air.

Good Luck

 

[Merlin Clark]

We had a 40hp Evenrude with similar symptoms at an environmental clean up company I used to work at and after sending it out to a boat shop twice (with no joy and they didn't test it after work) we checked it ourselves when we had time. Turned out to be a crack in the carb body. Check it out when you have it off.
Good luck Dan.

 

[LooseDiamond]

That sounds like a clasic carb issue.
Take the carb off and take it home. Take it apart and clean it with carb spray and compressed air.

Good Luck

Spot on advice, in my case. A few weeks ago, same problem with my old Mercury 4.5. checked lines, replaced fuel, same deal. Disassembled carb, and before ordering kit, blew compressed air through and reassembled, thinking I had nothing to lose (Would have to order kit if didn't work). Cranked and ran it 2-3 times a day for a week. Put it back on boat that weekend. Motored five hours without a glitch. Worth a try...

 

[dscribner]

Thanks for all the advice. Lucky for me, she's a trailerable and is presently 15 feet from my side door. I'll be sure to pull it off and try the carb thing. I took off the cover last night and found more oil around the carb than I would expect. Common?

 

[Warren Milberg]

In addition to rebuilding the carb, here are some other thoughts, fyi. When I had my Sail Master (2 cylinder, 2 cycle) many years ago, it had a similar problem. I removed the spark plugs and found them extremely fouled with unburnt oil. In looking into the cylinders, I found sludge in there, too. I think I was was adding a bit too much oil to the fuel in order "to be safe." In fact, I was doing harm. I called the maker and he said that most engines could safely run on much leaner mixtures of fuel/oil and recommended that I reduce mine by a third. I cleaned up the plugs, re-gapped them, and then ran an engine tune-up in a spray can (made by Evinrude) through the engine. That burned up the sludge (in great clouds of smoke) and, with the new and leaner fuel mix the engine ran fine for years.

 

[Dan Johnson]

Another thought...

If you have to squeeze the fuel line bulb occasionally for the engine to pick up power, it sounds like fuel starvation as others have pointed out.

While the carb may be at fault and assuming you have a single line fuel hose set-up, have you pulled the cover of the pump housing (black plastic thing with two hoses, one to the carb and one to the remote line connector) on the right side, looking aft? Inside it there is a screen that could be clogged with debris from fuel sediment, etc.

Be very careful when you do this so you don't loose the small coil spring inside that provides pump diaphram resistance or you won't pump any fuel at all.

 

[Sailynn]

Had similar problem with our OB with fuel starvation after starting on 1st or 2nd pull and running for a short while. Mechanic advised to replace the fuel pump which we ordered and did and no more problems.