New to outboards have some questions

[stoker92]

Just bought a 1992 stoker 20.4 with a 1993 merc 2.5 260 hp offshore. The motor had 140-141 on all cylinders. The motor has had some computer issues in the past. It has a new CDI electronics ecu on it.How due I find what box or tune is in it? Motor also has boysen reeds and a 1" spacer. I took the boat out for the first time and it seems after half throttle it doesnt keep making power? I spun it around 7300rpm. I can cruise at 1/3 throttle and the boat fly's right along.Then I roll into it and it pull's but after half to wide open it feels the same?It has had the injectors cleaned and new filter installed. I was asked what regulator is on the motor and I dont know. Where is the regulator mounted? Is thier different color regulators? What kind of power should this thing make? Thanks..

[stoker92]

Just got back from lake and had same problem. Actually had fuel running out of the cowl.Pulled cowl and the hoses between the fuel rail and the injector where blowing fuel from them. Each hose has zippy ties holding them on. 3 where blowing fuel and the rest where not. I slid back on and made it back to ramp. Due you use hose clamps to hold these on. What pressure do these motors run see?

[pyro]

I wonder why the hell these motors are put together with zip ties on 39 psi fuel fittings! I changed mine over to stainless steel high pressure fuel hose clamps, I used them on every fuel fitting on my motor.

[Jay Smith]

About Ty Straps:
I use the very wide (1/4" wide) very heavy duty Thomas and Bettes Ty Straps on all my injector to fuel rail attachment and NEVER had any issues these things are so strong that I can almost put my whole weight on the pliers I use to pull up on with and I have yet to have one break.. Believe me there ARE differences in the grade of ty straps. The light duty ones that can be bought at Lowes and Walmart ain't gonna cut it. I've NEVER had a T & B ty strap cause a leak or loosen up, PERIOD !

BTW:Worm gear hose clamps can and will bite into and cut the the injector hoses when over torqued ,the hose being an intragate part of the injector and when damaged the injector is rendered worthless , the factory sends the stock engines ( ALL high performance EFI engines ) with Ty Straps and they work fine, my guess is the ones that leak are not of a quailty part as the OEM ones as the light duty ones simply can't be torqued and hold that torque to work properly..

Your Eninge issues:
I would leak down your motor as compression numbers can be decieving. I would do a leak down test as that IMO is the only true measurement of bore and ring health. The regulators are gold ( 40 lbs ) and black ( 60 lbs ) and are located on the port side at the top of the plemiun at the front of the motor and is attached to the top of the fuel rail with a small vacumn line attached to the plenium air barb. The leaking of the hoses could be your problem I'd fix that and try it again...

Good luck and WELCOME to Scream and Fly !

[Techno]

There is another type of hose clamp that don't bite the hoses but you have to find them since they are not normally stocked anywhere.
The screw tightens the hoop, the hoop is solid. I forgot the name of them.:o

After what Jay said On the ty straps, I wouldn't use them. Simply because I don't have the installation tool.;)
Although this might make more sense than all the clamps I have to buy.

[pyro]

I wasn't talking about the cheap, slotted, worm-gear-screw variety of clamps!

I'm talking about HIGH PRESSURE FUEL INJECTION HOSE CLAMPS. The ones with a machine screw that threads into a square nut. Like this:

http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/537/dsc0895xy2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)
By hydro_pyro (http://profile.imageshack.us/user/hydro_pyro) at 2007-07-09

[Jay Smith]

Those look good , but I'll stick with what works for me as I said and worked for Merc. in stock OEM form , the T&B Ty Straps have been bullet proof for me , quickly installed and easy for me to obtain... ( different ways to skin a cat is always welcome information for all )

good luck,

[TIZIK]

There is another type of hose clamp that don't bite the hoses but you have to find them since they are not normally stocked anywhere.
The screw tightens the hoop, the hoop is solid. I forgot the name of them.:o

After what Jay said On the ty straps, I wouldn't use them. Simply because I don't have the installation tool.;)
Although this might make more sense than all the clamps I have to buy.

I know the ss hose clamps you speak of. I use those also at my work. I'm in ontario, canada and we have a supplier called Wurth. They supply hose clamps, electrical connectors, chemicals etc.. Not sure if they are in the U.S but maybe a google search might give you something.

I'm sure the Thomas and bettes ty straps work great but I'm a lil sketchy about having plastic ty straps on high pressure fuel lines. But like Jay Smith said, not all plastic tys are created equal.

Just my $.02...

[stoker92]

Thanks for the help guys...One more thing.Im going to install a temporary fuel pressure guage so I can see what pressure is while im driving. Due I T in after fuel pump? Is thier spot to do this correctly? Motor is a 1993 2.5 offshore 260...Thank you...

[pyro]

Tee it into the horizontal bleed hose in the middle of the photo I posted above.

[stoker92]

Having issues. I t'd it in on the vertical part below the t in the pic. Basically on the return line.I cant get pressure I checked it right after pump and it pegged my gauge.I cant get fuel pressure where t'd it in the hose. Dose the motor have to be running.I see it might have to be running to open regulator?I need help..Thanks

[pyro]

Tee it into the horizontal bleed hose in the middle of the photo I posted above.

^ ^ ^ Like I said ^ ^ ^ that's where it belongs. NOT at the pump, NOT in the return line (no pressure there anyway.)

If it pegs the gauge, then you have a bad regulator, or a restriction in the return line somewhere.

[stoker92]

I have now t'd where you said and now have 39 psi. that is without running the motor. I am going to lake test tommorow to see if pressure drops. This is my first outboard.Not happy I am having problems.:mad: ....CDI has told me to send them back my new ecu to see if they sent the right one?Im going to to see tommorow if it is losing fuel pressure while driving...Thanks...The motor does not make power after half throttle..

[pyro]

Good to hear the news.

Fill in "location" in your profile, then it will appear on your posts, and other people in your area may be willing to lend a hand or loan parts for testing. :)

Check the timing...

[stoker92]

Updated profile. How do I check the timing? This is all new to me. Had a drag boat and drag car. Now a outboard. This is all new to me. :D ..ill learn...