Albe engine problem......need help!

[Sea Lion]

I have a 1994 Albemarle 247 (gas i/o). I've had a recurring problem that may be caused by the new ethanol gas, but it's a real pain. Let me preface this by mentioning that I live in Northern Virginia and consequently do not get to use the boat very frequently. It sets in dry storage for long periods of time, but until last year has always run like a champ.

Anyway, on to the problem. After running at nearly full throttle for a few minutes (about enough to get out of Little Creek inlet), the engine will begin bogging down at anything above about 1100-1500 rpms. This makes for a very slow limp back in to the dock and a ruined trip.

Over the course of the past year I've had the on-site repair facillity at Little Creek Marina repeatedly work on the boat to (hopefully) fix the problem, to the tune of hundreds of dollars, but every time I try to use the boat the same symptoms occur and an expensive trip to Tidewater is wasted, not to mention additional repar bills incurred.

I'm pretty frustrated by this and looking for advice/help. If anyone has a mechanic that they would recommend for this issue that would be helpful. As I'm not in the area it's not really feasible for me to try to diagnose the problem myself, but I'd like to be able to use the boat.

[Bryansfish]

It sounds like a water issue. What has the repair shop done to fix the problem last time and how long did it last? Does the boat have a fuel water separator? I would have the gas in the tank checked. It pretty easy to disconect a fuel line after the fuel pump and pump out some gas into a clear container. The water will seperate from the gas and is easy to see. Also dump your separator and see how much water is in there. I had a water issue when E10 first came out and I switched my separator over to one with a clear bowl with a built in drain. When it would start running rough I would drain the sept. into a container and it would clear up and run fine for several hours. I had to run through two tanks of gas before the water was gone. With you not using the boat very often does add to the problem if water is the problem.

[craigwhite]

We have had similar issues with many of our boats. It is likely that your gasoline is bad, and/or the ethanol is breaking down the gunk on the inner walls of the fuel tank and sending it through your fuel lines. Your best bet is to have a company come through and "clean" your fuel, install a 10 micron fuel filter before the motor, add Startron to your fuel EVERY time you fill up, and dont put more fuel in you tank that you will use in a given day. Store the boat with an empty tank and fill up before leaving. As the ethanol fuel sits for weeks, it breaks down and causes these same problems. If you are looking for a reputable service dept in Northern VA, I would highly recommend North Atlantic Marine Group or Harbin Marine in Woodbridge.

Best of Luck!

[BUDC]

Untold hours have been spent by local Albe guys chasing weird fuel problems in older Albes and this piece of trouble has been the culprit.
There is a cigarette size strainer screen in the top of the fuel tank "Suction Tube". The 90 fitting on the tank top has a suction tube going to the tank bottom. Unscrew the tube from the 90 and the filter screen is fitted inside the tube.

I hope this solves your problem, although it doesn't sound like it will.
Even if this is not your problem, if you have other seperators/filters before your fuel pumps, take this little trouble maker out.

It is a snap to change/clean a RACOR type filter/strainer under any conditions compared to removing the fuel tank top to get to this thing at the dock even on a bluebird day!!!
GOOD LUCK.
budc

[Sea Lion]

Craig, since I never had any trouble before the ethanol gas became prevalent, I'm thinking you are right. The boat is actually in dry storage in Little Creek (Norfolk) so I'm seeking someone competent in that area to work on it there. If you have any suggestions I'd appreciate it.

[craigwhite]

I would try and contact Lynnhaven marine, as they were an Albemarle dealer for many years, and would likely know you type of boat pretty well. Other than them, I am not very familiar with that neck of the woods. Good Luck

[pbishop]

Take a look at your distributor and make sure both of the advancement weight springs are intact.

[katman2860]

On many boats like yours that sit alot we have seen where the gas with ethonal starts to break down sooner inside of the carb,when this happens the rubber and plastic componets start to disolve or soften making them stick,the engines have the symptom of running out of gas and not running much over idle due to the needle and seat valve sticking.Adding a 10 micron filter and running stabilizer in your fuel will help but cycling threw your fuel every 30 days and draining your carb of fuel when it is going to sit for 60-90 days would probably solve your repeated problems.

[Capt. Skid]

Try and use a seperate 6 gal. gas tank.. If you have no problems
with this set up pull your pick-up tube out of the tank and check
for a partial plugging issue..The E-10 gas is cleaning all the gunk out of your
tank and sending it through your fuel dilvery system.. You might wind
up replacing your fuel tank. At times my ride sits a month at a time,
and I haven`t had any E issues. I repowered in Oct. 04 and also
had my fuel tank replaced at the same time, no sludge build up
to get rid of. I also slip my boat year round and use Star Tron
regilously. Good Luck!!

Capt.Skid