Late 90's 196 has problems - Help me help my friend

[Noelb]

I'm posting this for a friend, so some details are missing (but I can get those if you need). He has a late 90's 196 (Ford Block I think) with about 1200 hours on it. This boat is used almost exclusively for waterskiing through the course.

Starting from a cold engine, for the first six to seven passes through the course, there are usually no problems. Then at about the 7th or 8th, the motor will suddently slow down, and almost stalls, then the rpm goes back up and then down again and so on.

In one occasion as they were just cruising around at slow speeds, the boat completely stalled and had to get towed.

There don't seem to be perfect pass issues. A new impeller was just installed and one of the gas filters was just removed in order to try to solve the problem.

The owner is being told that this can't be due to the fuel pump since they usually don't go out intermittently.

Our dealer is quite far from our lake and the owner doen't have his own trailer (grated he can borrow one). But if there are some simple solves to try, we do have a few handy people around here who can do it.

Thank you!

[Noelb]

RE: Late 90

EDIT - It is actually a 1997 and has only 800 hrs. Forget what I said about the fuel pump. The owner tells me that it does seem likely that it is the source of the problem.

[slob02]

RE: Late 90

I would start with the fuel filter. It is on the bottom of the pump in the cell. Many posts on here about it and how to change it. Also, remember there are two pumps. Low pressure and high pressure.

[jasper]

I concur - start with the fuel filter. Replace it. Don't try cleaning it.

[swooddc]

ditto on fuel filter, next fuel pickup in tank. a fuel pressure test from the rail will tell you if you are losing pressure. The pressure should be well above 30psi. the manual says 38 i believe but mine has never made more than 34 psi and runs great. if you don't have good pressure after changing filter go to the fuel pickup in tank. after that its the pumps.

[swooddc]

forgot another common problem, when you change the fuel filter check the little hose that connects the high pressure pump to the FCC inside the filter.
These have been known to split causing loss in fuel pressure.

[Noelb]

Thank you all very much! The problem is solved!

Just for the record, it turns out that the problem was that little hose that swooddc mentioned in his last post. The owner tells me that they never would have found this problem had it not been for this post. The owner was skiing this morning and had a HUGE smile on his face.

Thank you once again.

[saceone]

glad to hear another Montrealer is back on track thanks to PN!!

[swooddc]

glad he's back up and running.