96 Challenger having acceleration issues

[Sea-nisa]

I own a 96 Challenger and have been having issues, acceleration and my gas gauge does not work which is probably my baffle because the red light works… I’m planning on fixing that soon, I think I might just buy a new one unless I hear I can do it myself I’m not to mechanically inclined but learned through all the post and manual thanks everyone for that. I just replaced the buzzer with one from radiowack great cheap fix… It appears that for some reason the engine is not getting enough gas and I’ve run out of ideas on what it could be.... It gets up to 4, 5 rpms and then dies down not wanting to jump out of the water. I had the same problem last year but one day it just went away because i moved the switch to reserve tank??? But that wasn’t the ultimate solution cause that stopped working…. So, here is what I have done to the boat as far as troubleshooting goes. Carbs rebuilt last year, RAVE vales cleaned last year, pump oil changed last year, fuel filter cleaned yesterday again no issues there... fuel line are not gray and are in good shape. Checked the wear ring its good no bad signs or scrapes… I normally fill 87 but I filled 93 yesterday thinking I could be old gas from winterizing but turns out that not the case… Took the flame arrestor off yesterday carbs look clean and still have the golden color .. Sorry for the long post I just wanted to make sure I hit all the points that I’ve tried before I get info back…. I really don’t want to take it to the shop if I can take care of it myself.

Please Help!!!! Thanks

 

[seadooya]

volt test the battery, while hold'n a steady 5500rpm, on trailer...13.5-14.5volts is what you want, anything lower/higher, replace thee rectifier, also you try new plugs and clip plug wires?

 

[Sea-nisa]

Thank for the quick response...

I tried the test got 13.8 - 14 at 5 rpms... so thats not the problem.

However, during the test I noticed some gas leaking from the gas filter. After further review I am missing the gasket!!!??? I will be getting a new one with in a couple of days to see if that solves the prob... i dont think this would cause the drop in rpms but again im no mechanic its was on pretty tight...

If not at this time is there any other options I could work with?

I also saw a drop of oil fall from the end of the value that hangs off the oil tank. I did fill the tank almost to the max line is this a huge concern?

Thanks again for the ideas...

 

[Sea-nisa]

Forgot to add that the spark plugs are also new

 

[seadooya]

the grommett on the bottom of tank is going bad. As for fuel dripping, if its dripping, then while motor running, its pulling air from it...not good, that'll explain the inconsistancy to the motor.

 

[Sea-nisa]

The oil was a drip from the top of the tank at the Oil Level Sensor, not from the bottom of the tank... Cleaned it up seemed to have stopped but ill keep my eye on it... It not an extensive leak but i just happen to spot it.

I dont think that its the grommett?

Thanks Seadooya

 

[voodoo]

As seadoyya mentioned a fuel leak is also a air insertion so you run lean sometimes, that ring is common if you have a NAPA store you may be able to find the right one and put a dab of oil so it can not skid to the side and kinda do the same thing again, while you have some down time I would suggest removing the fuel selector and cleaning it out, there may be some of the old grey fuel line goo left in there - put a dab of oil on the o-rings you find 2 inside, this will eliminate another air leak place. If you find more steel gas can trash in the filter bowl then it may be a good idea to inspect the carb inlet screens and clean them out as needed - they are the last stop before swarf goes into the carbs making them act wacky.

 

[Sea-nisa]

Boats up and running like a champion!!! gaskets make the biggest diff... Thanks for all the help!!! I looked at the fuel switch pulled it out and cleaned it. For some reason unless I was looking at it wrong the RES was facing up and the ON was facing down while the off is in the middle... So the way i look at it is this when i put it back together there are no other options because i took a picture of the before and after to make sure i didn't mess up plus the switch will only go in one way because of this little grove in the fiberglass. If i turn the switch upward the sticker shows that its on the OPEN however logically i would think the valve would go to the RES side unless the inter part or the valve turns opposite...??? get what im saying??

Is there a difference is RES and ON?

either way the boat running great just curious as to what you all think???

Also the engine compartments is pretty dirty... whats the best way to wash/clean it? is a pressure washer an option? Im afraid of getting water into places it shouldn't be.

 

[SeadooBOB Square Pants]

To address the RES / ON thing reserve is a longer "straw" so-to-speak. You have a longer line for RES than On that way if you start to run out of fuel you have enough left to get back to the dock if you leave it on the "ON" selection then if the fuel starts to empty and the engines stop then you switch to RES to make it back.