Last Updated: January 6th, 2022 | By: Gina
If there is a situation that your boat won’t plane under load, you should understand that there are several mechanical and electrical issues affecting the RPM of your boat. The most common problems you will encounter are mentioned below.
Main causes for a low RPM -
There are a large number of causes if the boat wont go over 3000 RPM.
You will come to know that it can be easy fixes like an inspection on propellers or changing the spark plugs. The main issues for a low RPM considering either way –
Bad fuel condition -
Experienced voters know this issue is common. The fuel related problem is common and most of the boat owners put up with it, others use different fuel treatments.
Most of the gasoline sold has 10% ethanol, this mixture has a significant impact on the boat’s engine power. The most common issues – the fuel condition affects your engine will be discussed now.
There is water in fuel -
The fuel blended with ethanol attracts moisture. The fuel and the ethanol will separate in the fuel tank after the humidity has been absorbed. Ethanol and water will stay at the bottom and fuel will stay on top. This phase separation affects the combustion quality of gasoline.
There is microbial growth -
The water in the tank has another harmful impact, it allows bacteria and mould to build up on the fuel tank and transport the microbes further to the engine.
Besides the rust inside the engine, the microbes get stored inside the engine, causing a lot of problems.
Solution 1:
If your boat is having this issue, you can treat the fuel to fix the problems caused by the ethanol. If you choose this action, it will decrease the chance of microbial growth and water from forming on the fuel tank
Propellers are Damaged -
Fuel efficiency is related to a well-maintained boat propeller. You should check your propeller every time you want to go boating and also check its integrity once it is out of the water. You may face properly issues if –
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The boat is slow to come on to the plane
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Engine over – revs and boat is slow
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You hit a rock, log or a sandbar
Solutions 2 -
The boat propeller can be inspected by hauling the boat out of the water, it is a straightforward process to see the damage.
First you have to check the blades, whether you have an inboard , outboard or sterndrive check for missing chunks or if it is a bent propeller. Each blade should be measured, if the distance is not the same for every blade checked, your propellers are bent.
Secondly you have to check the shafts , if there is any vibration, it is an indicator of a bent prop shaft. Any visible wobble or distance variation between the blade tips, indicate a curved shaft.
The third thing you have to check is the hubs. They can wear out from heat and time if your prop is older than 10 years. It is recommended to check the hub and if the old one is failing better replace it.
Poor cylinder compression
Checking the compression will show you that the rings are working fine and there is no problem with the cylinders. As the Thumb Rule you can measure the PSI within the bottle.
There are other related tests , the leak down test that checks how much pressure is leaking from a cylinder. It is recommended to have a professional run these tests.
Defective or dirty carburetor
Carburetor regulates the air and the fuel to create combustion, so that the engine runs smoothly. There are some common issues with a bad carburetor like –
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Slow engine start
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Poor idle quality
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Lack of high – end power
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Slow transition – idle to mid range RPM
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Misfire on cylinders
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No fuel when the drain screw is pulled from the bottom of the carb
Solution:
The carburetor should be cleaned regularly to ensure a smooth mix of air and fuel. There are two options-you can disassemble it piece by piece or without removing it.
If you wish to clean it without working too much, then you can use this method.
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You can purchase a carburettor cleaner like Berryman B12 carb cleaner. With a full gasoline tank, just mix 4 oz.
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The carb cleaner flows through the system and avoids high RPM.
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The RPM will rise, if everything is working as intended.
If you find out that your carburetor is defective. You have to change it unfortunately.
Over - heating engine
One of the most common problems found in boats is that the engine is overheated because it is cooled using sea water instead of air intake. If the sea intake is blocked then the engine gets overheated. Most of the causes of overheating engine are –
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Impeller
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Water pump failure
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Manifolds and risers
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Thermostat
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Engine oil
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Spark plugs
Solution:
If you are facing this issue you need to check the issue with the mechanic, it can be a minor issue such as an incorrect installation of a spark plug that results in pre ignition problem.
If you want to be sure that it is not something worse, you should talk to a professional.
Issues with ignition system
The most easy way to find out if there is a problem with the ignition system is to check the spark plugs. You can troubleshoot the issue with the spark tester. First remove the coil wire and install the spark tester in the centre tower of the coil.
Now secure the spark tester to good engine ground and turn the engine over with the ignition switch. If there is weak spark or no spark, then there is an ignition problem. Another thing you can check is 12 – volt coil supply and the distributor.
Wrap up
The mechanical issues reduce the lifespan of your boat and your boating career when the boat doesn’t go over 3000 RPM under load, then you must ask yourself – is the ship heavy or there is some engine related problem. Either way you have to fix the problems so that you can ensure safety aboard your boat.
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