Failing power in a 'new' 20V that's been on the lot for 2+ years

[StaNaCella]

Planning on purchasing a 2008 20V w/ the base motor, took it to the lake w/ the dealer and 2 red flags arose:

1. Seemed to function fine for ~30 minutes, then started to sputter and lose power. Was a jerky loss of power, RPMs dropping several hundred, then plateauing there before in a few moments later it would drop farther. Brought it to a stop, turned it off, started it back up, got up to speed ~25mph, then 15 sec later it did it again. Were able to get it back to the dock, but this leaves me very concerned. Dealer says it's just the low pressure fuel pump, and they've since replaced it... ready for me to take it out again to prove it works. But the above problem only arose after quite a while on the water...may not be immediately reproducible. Is this just bad gas? Is it possible it is just the low pressure pump, or do we also need to replace the fuel filter? Is there a particular challenge I should do to stress the boat when we take it back out, to try to bring the symptoms back?

2. Top speed was barely 36. Is this what I should expect from this w/ only 2 people and no gear on board?! Seems pathetic. Or is this just b/c it only has 2h on the motor? Or...? The prop is the milled 4 blade I've seen in the specs.

One confounding factor - we live at altitude and will use it at altitude (~4,500')

Thanks much for any advice!

[ajholt7]

It could be the low pressure fuel pump. Had you stopped for any length of time before the problem started? If so it could be a vapor lock issue. I'm having the same problem with mine. I'm hearing it is happening mainly on the 08's. Good news is that MarinePower has a fix for it and they are sending me the kit right now. It involves a return line to the tank and from what I here is a simple fix. Next time you go out get the boat good and warm, and then shut it off for 10 minutes or so. If you then see the problems it is most likely vapor lock.

Secondly, these boats are not built for top speed they are for towing so 36 at altitude is probably about right. You could change the prop to get more. My top is about 42.

BTW, I love my 20V. Have the dealer get in touch with Lee at MarinePower to get the vapor lock retrofit and you should be good to go.

[chpthril]

How much gas was in the tank, if any, before any was added for the sea trial?

Id say its probably a combo of spoiled/stale fuel and water. being that is ran fine for a short period of time leads me to believe the fuel/water separator is now full of water.

As for the top speed. As Aj noted, these boats are not intended for high speeds, but 40+ is not out of the question. I would find out what prop is on it. Part number/size will be stamped on the hub. Spoiled fuel and the stock prop could easily result in a low top end of 36mph.

[Iwndr]

I bought a new 08 Z1 that had sat for two years last year, had about the same sea trial as you were just describing. It was bad gas and I changed the filters. It has not missed a lick since!
My Z1 will run at 42-43 with the 537 prop and the lake where we boat is at about 5400'

[skippabcool]

Welcome to the site and good luck with your search.

If it is the boat that you want I say go test it again. Even another hour to make sure that it is the boat for you and the problem is resolved is not a lot of time that will ensure lots of good times for you. Take your stuff and do what you plan to do with it to make sure that it is resolved and it does what you need it to. When you go back out you can check some of the items that AJ, Chp, and Dr talked about.

They say that it is fixed yet you seem hesitant to go back out, why?

Once again welcome and good luck. BTW, you will find that there is lots of good information here.

[StaNaCella]

What a fantastic community. Thank you so much for your intelligent and rapid replies.

The gas tank was initially 1/3 full, on the way we then filled it up just before launch. Guess we may need to dump the whole tank.

The troubles did arise after we stopped for several minutes to go over every nook and cranny of the boat.

My reluctance is I haven't yet purchased the boat! I have a tendency to be penny wise/pound foolish. I'm very satisfied w/ the boat, it just fits my garage, it has a nice layout for size and I like the company. But I fear I may be trying to save a few thousand bucks at the purchase, but losing much more in lost time on the water/frustration with continued problems (i.e. buy a 2011 instead).

Re: 36 top end - I don't want or need a speed machine. I'd prefer decent gas milage. Worried we will have to run the engine near top end to waterski - may wear it out and will have terrible milage. Seems as though the boat came out of the hole very quickly, may not need as much pitch on the prop. Or am I probably better off w/ a great hole shot at the expense of a bit of milage (i.e. shouldn't really worry about running the engine near it's max rpm often)

Thank you!

[chpthril]

What a fantastic community. Thank you so much for your intelligent and rapid replies.

The gas tank was initially 1/3 full, on the way we then filled it up just before launch. Guess we may need to dump the whole tank.

The troubles did arise after we stopped for several minutes to go over every nook and cranny of the boat.

My reluctance is I haven't yet purchased the boat! I have a tendency to be penny wise/pound foolish. I'm very satisfied w/ the boat, it just fits my garage, it has a nice layout for size and I like the company. But I fear I may be trying to save a few thousand bucks at the purchase, but losing much more in lost time on the water/frustration with continued problems (i.e. buy a 2011 instead).

Re: 36 top end - I don't want or need a speed machine. I'd prefer decent gas milage. Worried we will have to run the engine near top end to waterski - may wear it out and will have terrible milage. Seems as though the boat came out of the hole very quickly, may not need as much pitch on the prop. Or am I probably better off w/ a great hole shot at the expense of a bit of milage (i.e. shouldn't really worry about running the engine near it's max rpm often)

Thank you!

How warm was it that day? Winter blend fuel is a lot more volatile then summer blend, so if it had winter blend in the tank and the ambient temp was warm, it could have peculated.

I would say a fresh tank of fuel, add a bottle of Sta-Bil, change the water/fuel sep and give it a spin again.

If it ran like crap from the moment it hit the water, I would be worried about crystallised fuel in the fuel rail/injectors.

[Ewok]

The engine owners manual for the boat should have a recommend max rpm for the engine. For running at altitude you need to check the max rpm there and reprop as necessary to get the recommended rpm, probably around 5,000 +/- 300 rpm. Was your sea trial on the 4,500' lake or at a lower elevation?

A "new" 2008 with 2hours will have a few issues, I agree it probably has bad gas, clogged fuel filter, probably had a clogged low pressure fuel pump, what about the batteries? Are they original and put on a charger for the sea trial or brand new? Date of manufacture is stamped on them. I would also change out the impeller ASAP, dry rot impeller pieces in the cooling system is not good either. That's all I can think of that would give you problems with this boat.

If you are buying it "new" from an authorized dealer make sure you find out if Tige will start the clock on the 3 year warranty. If they will then you should have nothing to worry about and get a good deal on a very nice boat.

[Timmy!]

That top speed should be in the 40's for sure. My RZ2 with the 537 and the same engine does 41 or so and I'm at 5200'.

[ajholt7]

Be sure to let us know what happens.

[StaNaCella]

Thanks much.

Will reply once tested. Planning on Friday. Cancelled today due to weather...

[StaNaCella]

Replaced low pressure fuel pump

Cleaned the vapor lock valve (I believe that's what he said)

Ran it for 1h, smooth, no stuttering. Stopped twice for ~5 minutes in the middle, started up, ran great.

Purchase is now complete.

Thank you very much for your help!

[ajholt7]

Replaced low pressure fuel pump

Cleaned the vapor lock valve (I believe that's what he said)

Ran it for 1h, smooth, no stuttering. Stopped twice for ~5 minutes in the middle, started up, ran great.

Purchase is now complete.

Thank you very much for your help!

We need Pictures!

[Iwndr]

Congrats Stan
We will require pictures

[skippabcool]

Congrats