Sundancer 23 Power Loss

[NQV]

I bought a 1994 23 Sundancer with a 5.0 Merc. The hour meter is working and it shows 174 hrs of use. The boat was sitting for about a year before I bought it. Here is the problem:

I took it out once just to see how everything worked and the boat ran fine. I took it back a couple of weeks later and the boat has no power , barely planes. I replaced the fuel (should have done it before I took it out) and replace the fuel /water separator but I have not taking it out again. The spark plugs look like new. I am hoping to take it out this weekend to see if it works any better. When at the dock, the boat accelerates and idles well.

Any suggestions?

 

[340Dancer]

I think you are missing one key item that would be needed to help you troubleshoot it. What are your wide open RPM's?

If the boat was properly prepped to sit for awhile the engine would have been fogged. Plugs can be decieving in the way they look. Either way it couldnt hurt to change them.

I'm not sure if that engine is carbed or even if it has a distributer. Ive seen a filter where the fuel comes into the carb cause problems. If its carbed you may want to inspect the check valve (most are located right at the tank) to see if it's plugged. There is a screen that is notorious for plugging. If it has a distributer pull the cap and inspect it along with the rotor. Check for arcing at the coil wire and that all the plug wires are firmly seated.

 

[NQV]

Thank you, I will be working on it tomorrow. I will check the areas you mentioned. The boat is carb and it does have the rotor and distributor in the rear part.

I did check the tank line and it is clear. The wide open RPM was 3000, way to low in my opinion. The thing is that it ran great two weeks ago.

 

[dinows]

I have your exact same problem, Worked great one day 2 weeks later it was the same as you 3000 rpm (should tach out at 4500), no power. changed all filters, idels well. Did you find your problem ??
Thanks Dino