97 Sport Nautique missing after 20 minutes of riding

[jefhaz02]

Ok, guys. I have an issue with my 1997 Sport Nautique. After 20 minutes of steady driving (around 30-35 mph) my boat starts missing a bit. I have replace the fuel pump and filter recently, however it doesn't seem to be a fuel problem, rather an electrical problem. It doesn't miss and gurgle as if it's not getting enough fuel, it actually just misses and regains power. If I slow down it idles perfectly, never does it at lower speeds or idling, only after driving the boat for a bit at higher speeds. My thoughts right now could be either ignition coil or ECU. Anyone ever seen this problem before or have ideas of what it could possibly be? Thanks all.

[83sn2001]

Make sure all your plug wires are connected tightly. Have you checked the cap and rotor for corrosion? Maybe be needs a tune up? Check your plugs and wires. Make sure you are getting 12 volts to your coil. If so may need to replace the coil. If you are not getting 12 volts to the coil, check the wire ends for corrosion or loose condition.

[dave210]

which pump did you replace low pressure or high? in the low pressure pump there is a screen that can get pluged with trash from the tank and cause this problem remove the three mounting bolts and the cover plate you will see the screen common problem the dealer wont tell you about

[redelf75]

And i thought you couldn't find the boat....

[jefhaz02]

Thanks for the reply guys.

I have checked the cap, rotor, and plugs. All look to be in good shape. As far as the coil, I haven't checked the voltage on that but I will. As far as a tuneup, the boat has 225 hours on it, I bought the boat at 125 hours and have changed the oil and standard winterizing/summerizing services but no tune up. If the plugs, rotor, etc. look good what else should be done on a tuneup. Sorry to sound a little dumb, but this is my first boat and I have owned it for 3 years now.

As far as the fuel pump, the dealer replaced that part and I believe it was the high pressure fuel pump. I am not sure where the low pressure fuel pump is but i'll grab a manual, find it, and check that screen out.

Thanks for all the replies, definitely helps the boating issue experience.

[jefhaz02]

And funny joke. It only goes missing for a second, so it's easy to find.

[83sn2001]

I would replace the cap rotor and plugs since you don't know when they were changed last and go from there. These items can look fine but still may be a source of the problem. If they don't solve the problem you will at least have a reference to do future maintenence.

[dave210]

did you figure out the problem?

[jefhaz02]

Not yet. I had to go out of town this week for work and just got back in. I want to check the low pressure pump screen as you suggested Dave. Where is that pump located? Thanks again for the feedback.

Jeff