Need some help/rough idle

[TownsendsFJR1300]

The sync kit you got, did the needles on the gages jump around alot.?

I lent mine out a few years ago and never got it back, and cannot remember who I gave to....grrr

The tool I have has a VERY small dampner slipped inside the hose(s). You
could just get a sewing needle in it. No liquids either to worry about..

[Newbie@boats]

Yes I ordered the gauges off amazon wasn't super impressed but they worked OK for what I was doing.....they had screws in the lines that you can adjust to smooth the needle movement out......

The carbs were WAY out! I adjusted them as best I could with the gauges I had they were 100% spot on but id say 98% better

Here is a before and after pic

[panasonic]

That is a nice looking one. I had a nice one with liquid filled gages...worked great. Somebody else got it now...

[panasonic]

Yes I ordered the gauges off amazon wasn't super impressed but they worked OK for what I was doing.....they had screws in the lines that you can adjust to smooth the needle movement out......

The carbs were WAY out! I adjusted them as best I could with the gauges I had they were 100% spot on but id say 98% better

Here is a before and after pic

Looking good now...hope your engine runs good.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Looks good!

Looking forward to your update!!

[Newbie@boats]

The weather isnt looking so good for this weekend here

I might try to sneak out tonight or tomorrow and see how it is but I will 100% come back and update you guys on how it is....keeping my fingers crossed!

I know running on the hose vs running in water is different.

I will probably take some tools out with me including the sync tool just incase I need to do some "fine tuning"

One other thing I should mention is I would definitely buy a repair manual for something like this....its not perfect but it gives you an idea where your numbers should be and where to start.

[Newbie@boats]

Okay, here's the update......got to the lake boat ran EXCELLENT!

Thought it was all set until we got to our third fishing spot and boat ran rough and completely died.

Would crank but not start finally got it started and went full throttle to the launch.

Got the boat home and it was idling rough. Checked sync and it's perfect.

Changed the spark plugs to no avail

Not sure where to go from here?

[TownsendsFJR1300]

You may want to try adjusting those air screws (within spec's).

[Newbie@boats]

I tried that at the lake to no change

Pulled the carbs back apart again.

Here's 2 things I noticed.

The motor didn't have an issue until I raised it all the way up due to being in low water

And the primer ball never gets rock solid.

I'm tempted to change the primer ball and tank....I drained the gas tank into a clean 5 gallon bucket and there wa debris in it.

[panasonic]

I tried that at the lake to no change

Pulled the carbs back apart again.

Here's 2 things I noticed.

The motor didn't have an issue until I raised it all the way up due to being in low water

And the primer ball never gets rock solid.

I'm tempted to change the primer ball and tank....I drained the gas tank into a clean 5 gallon bucket and there wa debris in it.

You said in your first post that it did not seem like tank was venting. Is it venting now, for sure?

What do you have for filters? And how old are tank, primer bulb and lines?

[panasonic]

Maybe you can borrow a portable tank from someone, which you know is good. Try it on your engine, if all is well, then you know it's your tank, primer and hoses are the trouble...

[Newbie@boats]

I appreciate everyone's opinions so far.

I have 2 separate tanks only tried one on the lake and every time I've been out I've had issues-which definitely seem like fuel issues.

Here's where I'm at

I tore the carbs all apart again because when I drained that tank I didn't like seeing the crud in the bottom of the bucket.

They are soaking again. There's a few o rings in the carbs I didn't change the first time and I plan on changing this time.

I will install a new connect fitting for the tank and install a new primer ball

Sync the carbs again

And if I still have problems I don't know what I should do besides replace the carbs.

The tank is vintage metal tank no rust but I can't read anything off of it anymore and all the paint is gone. Should I replace the fuel tank as well?

The tank was definitely venting as well

[panasonic]

Was the filter on the engine changed, if so was there any dirt and crap in the filter/bowl?

As for the old metal tank, if there was a bunch of crap in there it is probably coming from the tank itself. You may not see the rust from looking down in the fill hole. A new plastic tank may be a wise investment.

[TownsendsFJR1300]

Plus 1 ^^^, pitch that metal tank.

You kinda answered the issue yourself.

Once you tilted the engine, what ever crap (from the tank)
got into the carbs messed them up. Possibly held the needle and seat open
or clogged jets.. (dunno W/O hands on at the time of failure).

Flush / clean the fuel pump and the primer valve before pumping fuel in the engine again. It IS possible the primer bulb has failed
(and crap can easily sit in there).

As noted above, R&R the under cowl filter if equipped (inspect as well),
and if you have room, install that separate transom filter.


I've found crap that got by the one filter and other filter caught it.

[Newbie@boats]

Okay, thats where im at then, I will replace the fuel tank, fuel line/primer ball, and the fuel filter on the engine itself.

I have another tank that I havent used but cleaned it out spot less no crap in it at all.....would it be wise to use that tank or just go out and buy a new tank?