I have a 1988 Chapparal 21 Bowrider, with a Alpha 5.7L - ran…

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I have a 1988 Chapparal 21 Bowrider, with a Alpha 5.7L - ran…

I have a 1988 Chapparal...

I have a 1988 Chapparal 21' Bowrider, with a Alpha 5.7L - ran great last year, just took it out for the first time this year and did not fill up the fuel tank cause there was plenty left from the last trip last year. Did not use any gas conditioner, it just sat outside but covered for the winter (Maryland). The boat is trailered, and before we headed to the ramp, I started it up - it started fine, I shut it down, went to the ramp, launched, started fine, slow go out beyond the 6mph marker - about 15 min, then full throttle - up on plane - running fine for about 5 min, slowed down from plane to site see - then tried to get back on plane - here is the problem - very sluggish - no power, seems like it is "missing" - when I push the throttle open full - backfires, then seemd to stall or stop. Eventually after much cranking it will start and in neutral rev up fine, but back in gear and try to accellerate - same problem. Thought it was bad gas so I tried to drain the tank just a trickle.

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Customer reply replied 11 years ago

Thanks for the quick reply. I will accept, so you get paid, but would really appreciate a little more dialog - OK ? / For instance - I am trying to get the gas out of the tank. I connected an 8' hose to the tank and ran it under the motor and out the drain plug hole, and used a siphon bulb to try to start a flow, but it is just trickling - is it possible there is something clogging the pick-up in the tank ?

Marine Mechanic: Captain Dave, Marine Mechanic replied 11 years ago

Yes, it would not suprise me to find the pickup clogged with the debris formed when the gas broke down and separated. In fact, you might want to clean the pickup, drain the tank, and try fresh gas before you pull the carb, in case the blockage at the pickup prevented the gunk from getting to the carb. Also, I neglected to mention that you should clean and replace the fuel filter if you have one.

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Customer reply replied 11 years ago

OK - thanks again - I will try tomorrow.

Customer reply replied 11 years ago

The connector at the back of the tank where I connected a temp hose - does that remove - perhaps it is threaded, or might it be threaded into a plate that is connected to the top of the tank, and the plate is removed - or what ? ? BTW - you are right - there is a fuel filter - kind of like an oil filter - I will replace that as well.

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Marine Mechanic: Captain Dave, Marine Mechanic replied 11 years ago · Answer 1

Hello. Yes, you have bad gas. You can't just leave fuel in the tank like that - it starts breaking down in about 6 weeks and it is actually amazing that it was able to run as long as it did. What probably happened is that the solids that were formed when the fuel broke down and separated were drawn into the fuel line and got to the carbureter, which is now gummed up internally. The only solution will be to have the carb removed, disassembled, and cleaned. You also need to get as much of that old fuel out and refuel with good fresh gas. Next fall, fill you tank and then add fuel stabilizer with an ethanol treatment (e.g., Stabil for Ethanol), run the motor on that for a few minutes to get it into the carb and you'll be fine (or run all the fuel out of the tank and lines).

Marine Mechanic: Captain Dave, Marine Mechanic replied 11 years ago · Answer 2

You may have to remove the pickup to clean it, so you may want to try threading the hose right into the pickup hole to siphon, since the pickup will probably clog again.

Marine Mechanic: Captain Dave, Marine Mechanic replied 11 years ago · Answer 3

I wouldn't be able to tell how the pickup is mounted without seeing it - I would guess a plate scred to the tank, but maybe not. That fuel filter will have a replacable element - justg throw it away and replace with a new one. Be sure to fill it with fresh gas when you replace it so it is primed.

I have a 1988 Chapparal 21 Bowrider, with a Alpha 5.7L - ran…

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