Really Frustrating Day on Lake Help!

[KCMobius]

Okay, I know there have been many threads on vapor lock and maybe this is what I have but man! how frustrating can it get.
I posted a week or two ago and found that I didn't have a fuel filter so I added one hoping that would help my issue. Well it has only gotten worse and I really feel it is heat that is the cause.
I went out on the lake today, drove 10 minutes to our favorite wakeboarding spot. Everything was running fine. Then we sit around for a while to get everything ready. Get boarder in the water and then wow, engine bogs down under load. I had the blower on at all times. So I open the motor cover and let it air out for a while, say 7 or 8 minutes. Still will not run under load, bogs down. We wait about 20 minutes and let things cool down. After that boat runs great again. weel we had two more bad spells where we had to wait 20 minutes before we could run good again. I think maybe there is some type of thermostat that will not let the boat run over 2000 RPM if over a set point temperature; maybe 185 deg. F. The engine compartment really gets hot after we shut down the engine especially if we don't open the cover. Once we get running good again the engine temperatue cools to 135 deg. I need help. Should I go with the 2nd fuel pump? Better gas? maybe another blower? I just now after having this boat for one month that this is not whatI had in mind for having fun! Please help if you can!

[scoot_gt]

In my experience, she won't crank when Vapor Lock occurred. Or she will crank and sound REALLY rough. If yours is running, I'd think it might be something other than vapor lock. I'm not exactly sure what you mean by bogs down under load.

[KCMobius]

Yes I agree, from most of the "vapor lock" posts they say it won't start. Mine starts fine just won't run over 2000 rpm. I ran at about 5 to 6 MPH no problem, just won't run any faster. Then when I let it cool for a long time (20 to 30 minutes) runs like a top.

[smokedog2]

throw some water eater in the gas. you can pull the fuel line & look. I bet it is milk.

[smokedog2]

Guys with this, use one can of sprite on the fuel line and are good to go. I saw this first hand, he just would rather spend $100 than buy extra sprite

[KCMobius]

Just to let you know,

Fuel was not milky when I first had this issue (1 1/2 weeks ago) and put in the fuel filter and cleaned the fuel pump inlet filter.

Also I tried numerous times pouring cold water on the fuel pump and hd no luck with it.

Almost makes me think it may not be a fuel issue??

[lrock]

I am having the exact same problem. Just got boat back from the shop and putting in the water later today. The thought is that the ethanol in the fuel is clogging the fuel filter with debris. This overheats the fuel pump and causes the problem. I have put on a new filter and had it completely clogged after 10 hours.

Lrock
06 outback v

[KCMobius]

Took the Boat Out again.

I am convinced this is an overheating problem and not a fuel problem. If the temperature gauge reads below 180 F I have no issues. Problem is when the bovery slow (no at is either in idle or run wake speeds) the boat gets hot and if over 180 F I cannot run over 1800 to 2000 RPM maybe 5 to 6 MPH. Then the boat gets really hot say 220 F.

I left the boat set for probably 1 1/2 hours today and it never cooled below 180 F. Where is all the heat generated from?? Then after I get it below the 180 I can run at full speed and the temperature gets below 135 F.

My guess is that the boat was not de-winterized properly, or the impeller is not cooling properly???

Help! this boat is driving me crazy, runs great until it sets a while then gets hot and won't cool down??

[newty]

You checked your impellar, intake strainer, or trans cooler?

Sounds like the boat is just getting hot and going into limp mode.

[KCMobius]

I agree newty I think you are on the right track. I will replace the impeller first. Should have done that anyway, when you buy a used boat you just don't know the history.

Another thought I had was maybe the thermostat sticking?? any thought on that?