I always get this extremely hard to remove crud on the side of my Blackstone shelves. Even some on the handles, but the side shelves are the biggest culprit. What is the best cleaner you guys have to recommend to break through this stuff. I’ve used some grill cleaner, but think I need to resort a carburetor cleaner. Lol. Just joking.
I know I posted about this a few weeks ago, but I figured I could post again with more detail.
I have a Suntracker Party Barge 21 with a 2003 Mercury 40HP 2-Stroke Outboard. I bought it May of last year. Ran it all summer with no upper engine issues. Before I put it away for the winter, ran ethanol free gas with sea foam through the engine and changed the lower unit oil. A few weeks ago, I had a mechanic change the prop, and took the boat to the lake. For the first time ever, the boat started stalling at high RPMs. I changed the primer bulb right on the lake and the boat ran great for the whole day. Probably put about 4 gallons of gas through it that day at a wide variety of RPMs.
That brings me to two weeks later. Brought the boat back to the lake and it started right up. Putted along fine until I got to more open water. Once out in the open, I gave it some gas and noticed that the engine was surging. Not just a little surge, but enough to feel like you were jamming on the brakes of a car. Crazy thing is, when I reduced power, it seems as if I can run low RPM/Idle forever with no issue.
So far, I have checked the entire external fuel line and cannot see any obstructions. Gas flows right from the tank and out the quick connect when the quick connect spring is pushed in and I pump the primer bulb. Once the fuel line is connected, I can squeeze the bulb, but it gets tight quick and I can see a bit of gas leaking from the hose below the fuel pump, but only if I squeeze the bulb. Also, I am noticing an air leaking / wheezing / squealing noice around that area when I squeeze the ball.
Basically, I am at a lost. When I look on Reddit, forums, YouTube, ChatGPT….i am getting a buffet of reasons. Fuel pump/system, prop issue, overheating. If anyone one has had an issue like this, or any insight where I should look first, please, please feel free to reply. I want to get this thing on the water once the weather is more boat worthy!! Thanks in advance and sorry for the wall of text!