Well… here’s the most recent update….
At the advice of my Marine mechanics, they replaced my Distributor Cap, Rotor, and checked the ignition Timing. BTW, the Cap & Rotor looked almost ‘new’, with no signs of corrosions whatsoever. Timing was right on !
Mechanic said he removed Anti-Siphon Valve and inspected and that it looked good, and ball inside was not sticking. I guess I have to believe him, but who know if he wasn’t just giving me lip service? I did look at the ASV fitting and it may have been removed.
They took the boat to a small lake nearby the shop to give it a in-water test. Within a short amount of time as they gave full throttle, the engine began to cough, backfire and finally stall. There they were these 2 guys in the middle of the lake with the boat stalled. I wished I could have seen the look on their faces ! HA !
After stalling, one mechanic checked the Carb bowl and it was totally empty of gas. After a few minutes, they were able to restart the boat, and noticed that the Carb bowl refilled with gas. They ran at below wake speed and made it back to the ramp.
They are now convinced that the problem is related to the ‘electric fuel pump’. And for another $350, would order the part, install, and I’d be in business. Not wanting these two geniuses to work on my boat another minute, I picked up the boat and brought home this morning. I’m out more money for unnecessary repairs, and a boat which is still not working, and just before vacation !
I now do believe the problem could be in fact fuel related, whether it is the ‘electric fuel pump’ or not remains to be seen. The only way to determine if the fuel pump is defective would be to perform a pressure check. Apparently, the mechanics could not do a pressure test because their pressure gauge they have starts reading at 5lbs. I believe the electric fuel pump pressure puts out between 3-5lbs. So short of buying and installing a new fuel pump to test this theory, I will have to wait to take to a marine shop which can perform this test with the correct equipment.
Saturday morning I begin my 1 wk vacation in Meredith, can’t wait ! I will be towing my boat up to the lake for the week, and hopefully diagnose during this time. One way or another, I will be using my boat this vacation, even if it means sitting in my boat, anchored just off-shore ! Wave on your way by !
Thanks for everyone’s feedback. This has been a great Forum Thread and provided me a wealth of information. I know a lot more now than when I began this quest. Lessons learned !
Bigdog