Starved 89 ski

[shag]

So I have a similar problem to a recent post. I have an 89 ski, 351W, holley 4160, 1100hrs, well maintained. At about 20-25 mph, you can run for about 1 min, then then engine seems to run out of fuel, and you can here almost a progressive heavier vacuum through the carb throat. Same is true for higher speeds, it just occurs sooner. I have replaced all fuel line, fuel filter, new elbow on tank, rebuilt the carb with a renew kit from Woody at Southeast, new fuel pump, replaced the fuel filler and vent hoses and new vent, and still the same. It will always start right back up, and I can see no leaking fuel. The fuel is not old either. The accelerator pump gives a nice spray when actuated, and the float bowls are filling up. There is nothing blocking the inlet screen to the carb. The only thing that I see possibly as the problem - is there actually an elbow with tube attached that goes into the tank? This tank has the tube in it, but I just screw in an elbow to it. I shine a flash light down the tube and looks clean as a whistle. (there previously wasn't even an elbow there. (problem is no change with or without elbow) Is there any possibility of a coil going bad that would cause this, I don't think so, but am perplexed to say the least. Any help would be grrreat! Thanks!

Mike
shagit007@aol.com

[Excel94]

RE: Starved 89 ski

Did this happen before you replaced all those items or after?

I had a similar problem and in my case it started right after I did some routine maintenance. The first issue was that I was sold the wrong fuel water separator. Looked identical on the outside but different O-ring seal. The engine would draw the fuel that I put in the separator before spinning it on but when that was used up it ran out of fuel. Swapped it for the right part and ran great, at least in the driveway.

However, in the water running it hard it would fall on its face after a minute or so. That issued tuned out to be the result of the inline stop-**** being partially closed. I must have bumped it when installing the fuel water separator. Once I opened it all the way it has run fine ever since.

[shag]

RE: Starved 89 ski

Where is your stop ****? I don't think I have one. I will have to look..... The fuel filter/water separator is from NAPA and they cross referenced the stock one. Thanks for the help!

[Excel94]

RE: Starved 89 ski

It might be an add on from a previous owner. My other 86 Nautique did not have one but my 94 does.

Does your keep running after it starts to "fuel starve"? What I did to isolate it was to get a jar and fill it with gas, then disconnect the fuel line at various places (with extinguisher handy). When the fuel line was disconnected on the tank side of the fuel-water separator it stalled after a minute or so. WHen I disconnected the fuel line from the engine side of the separator, stuck it in a jar of gas it ran just fine. So I knew the problem was the separator. Only then did I look closely at the o-ring gasket and compare it to the old one. Sure enough it was slightly different and that was were the air was being introduced.

[shag]

Starved no more.

Ok, So I feel pretty stupid. After doing all that I did to fix the problem, I removed the NEW water separating fuel filter I had installed to see if maybe the gasket was scarred, and when I dumped out the contents, it was half water. Evidently I water somehow got into the tank. It only sat a few months, but once I reinstalled the filter - go figure - runs like new! I have heard that the new E10 fuel separated after only a few months, and produces more water, has anyone heard this.
Thanks for the input.