MacGregorSailors.com

I've had my "new" 26X out on the water now four times,
and the first three times, the engine ran great, but on the
last trip, it exibited some worrisome behavior.

It was harder to start than previously, and did not want
to rev up to full throttle, hesitating and eventually dying
any time I tried to get past around 2500-3000 rpm.

I've used stabilizer in the fuel since getting it, and the
fuel from the last trip out was the same tank/fuel as
the previous trip when there were no problems.

Not sure what to check/test -- aside from simply taking
it to the shop.

Suggestions?

Change out gas. How old is the fuel.
Could water have gotten in it

Get a fuel filter.

If it's carbed, clean the bowl.

Careful regarding additives to clean injectors - that's over my head

Clean the spark plugs ck the gapping.

-Good luck

Is the airlock on the fuel tank open
(Don't ask me why I brought this up)

Trouts Dream said:

Is the airlock on the fuel tank open
(Don't ask me why I brought this up)

Maybe it's because Stabilizer can only do so much If the tank vent is open, and you have had either lots of rain, or high humidity, water can accumulate in the tank.

If you have two tanks (I don't know how many tanks an X has), try switching to the other tank and seeing what happens. First drain whatever gas is in the fuel line. If you have some kind of throttle lever, try using that as a means of giving her gas (after getting her started) instead of getting out on the water and being surprised. If this does not work, then check the plugs, change the fuel filter. Also check the fuel line for cracks.

I had a problem once where I had left the vent opened during a period of high humidity . I could not even start the motor because there was so much water in the tank. Because gas floats on water, I siphoned out the water under the gas and then was able to start up.

POINT OF CAUTION: Don't ever siphon your gas tank by sucking the tube with your mouth. Use a siphon that has a squeeze bulb on it.

Ray

Could be many things but it sure sounds like the fuel filter (idles but won't rev). To test the fuel line and low-pressure filter, run the engine at higher throttle until it starts to stutter, then hit the prime bulb a few times. Does it take off running again (for a time)? This was happening to me. Mine was the gas line/dip tube in the tank. It was restricted. If priming has no effect or stalls the engine out, one might look deeper into the engine - plugs, air system, high-pressure fuel filter, injectors, etc.

~Bob

Check the choke on the motor itself.

I have often engaged it getting in or off the boat..and it won't start (or start and run poorly). I assume you have the manual choke version of the motor. If you have one, it should be on the front, lower starboard side of the motor. If you do not, then you should have a blanking plate there.

Paul

Gazmn wrote:Change out gas. How old is the fuel.

Less than a month old.

Could water have gotten in it

Not sure how. I looked and didn't see any water/gas
separation or anything that looks like water.

Get a fuel filter.

If it's carbed, clean the bowl.

Careful regarding additives to clean injectors - that's over my head

Clean the spark plugs ck the gapping.

Anyone know where I can find a service manual?

-Good luck

Trouts Dream wrote:Is the airlock on the fuel tank open
(Don't ask me why I brought this up)

Yes. It was open. I did actually think to check that, so
I guess I'm not completely ignorant (just mostly

Currie wrote:Could be many things but it sure sounds like the fuel filter (idles but won't rev). To test the fuel line and low-pressure filter, run the engine at higher throttle until it starts to stutter, then hit the prime bulb a few times. Does it take off running again (for a time)? This was happening to me. Mine was the gas line/dip tube in the tank. It was restricted. If priming has no effect or stalls the engine out, one might look deeper into the engine - plugs, air system, high-pressure fuel filter, injectors, etc.

~Bob

I think I'm going to just replace the filter, gas, etc. and hope that
one of them was the problem.

Paul S wrote:Check the choke on the motor itself.

I have often engaged it getting in or off the boat..and it won't start (or start and run poorly). I assume you have the manual choke version of the motor. If you have one, it should be on the front, lower starboard side of the motor. If you do not, then you should have a blanking plate there.

Paul

Choke wasn't the problem. Checked that.

Currie wrote:Could be many things but it sure sounds like the fuel filter (idles but won't rev). To test the fuel line and low-pressure filter, run the engine at higher throttle until it starts to stutter, then hit the prime bulb a few times. Does it take off running again (for a time)? This was happening to me. Mine was the gas line/dip tube in the tank. It was restricted. If priming has no effect or stalls the engine out, one might look deeper into the engine - plugs, air system, high-pressure fuel filter, injectors, etc.

~Bob

As a point of reference, in case I go that route and obviously don't
want to be gouged, what should a basic check-up/tune of an outboard
of this size run, ballpark? Obviously, prices will fluxuate a bit depending
on location/business, etc. but what should I consider a reasonable
upper bound, not including any parts that might need replacing, etc?

My engine stuttered and stalled at high revs until I discovered that the non-return-valve (ball?) in the fuel line priming bulb was actually blocking the bulb outlet to the engine!!

This meant that the bulb pumped a little and became hard very quickly. The engine was difficult to start (because there actually was little or no fuel at the carbs) and was OK at low revs but eventually stuttered and stalled at high revs.

I discovered the cause by chance by tilting the bulb just as the Admiral was getting a bit worried to the point of asking repeatedly was the VHF radio fully charged!

A temporary solution was to ensure the bulb was primed vertically and then wedged beside the fuel tank in the vertical position with the outlet uppermost.

My permanent solution is a new bulb/fuel line which will wait until next season as the boat is laid up for winter.

Hope this helps.

The fuel filter should be one from a 82 Accord. Honda Part # 16900-SA5-004 (at least it was on our 04 motor)

Available online on many websites, or from your friendly Honda dealer. Should be $4-7 at most.

I have just the opposite problem. My Honda(2005 50 hp) stalls out after being at minimum throtle for a short while. When shifting from forward to reverse or vice-versa it will stall as well. This makes docking an adventure to say the least . Any hints as to what my problem is?

If everything else has been checked


time to look at the fuel pump, as well as the little ball in the tank/hose fitting.