Expert: tyler boehner - 2/18/2008

Question
Several years ago I bought a Ebbtide fish and ski. It had not been run in a couple of years. I had the carbs rebuilt and the plugs changed. The problem is sometimes it runs fine and then you peg the throttle and after the boat planes out it's you are running at 1/2 throttle and then all of a sudden the boat takes runs like it should. No problems starting the motor. The motor runs great when it is operating like it should. Would the fuel filter or fuel pump cause this problem? Help me quick it is almost time to fish. Thanks

Answer
Could be.  A plugged filter or weak pump would cause that to happen.  Another thing is if you have an air leak somewhere in your fuel line.  To tell if it is your fuel pump, run the motor wide open until it starts acting up then have someone squeeze the primer bulb while it is still acting up and see if that fixes the problem.  If it is your fuel pump, you can pump the fuel manually with the primer bulb and see if that helps the motor.