Fred has been having issues with the engine aboard Laughing Gull to the extent that he has lost a measure of confidence in the boat. The issues are:
- the throttle cable has slipped in its clamp
- the engine runs roughly at idle
- the engine is prone to stall in neutral
- one of the decompression levers is frozen in the operating position.
Joined Fred aboard Laughing Gull at Burnside in Annapolis.
- Checked the fuel tank for water using Gasoila
. No water.
- Checked the first fuel filter, a large Racor with semi-transparent water collection bottom and drain. No visible water. Tried to use drain, no luck.
- Replaced the on-engine fuel filter, first time in perhaps two years. No evidence of water or other contamination.
- Taught Fred how to use the priming lever on the engine fuel pump to prime the system.
- Test fired the engine...runing better. Starts very rough, but settles down after about ten seconds and settles more in the first minute.
- Tightened the alternator belt which was very loose.
- Revieed with Fred a couple ways to get in and out of the slip at Burnside. A tight place that may not be worth the $500 discount compared to Yacht Haven.
- Found the engine prone to stalling at idle when fully warmed up.
- Adjusted the idle speed by pulling about 1/8" or 5mm of cable through the clamp, thereby raising the idle speed to about 800 or 900 rpm.
- No luck with compression level. Suggest hitting it with pentrating oil.
Motored about Spa Creek, playing with prop walk in forward and reverse, as well as how to back up the boat.