97 sportster stalling

[hulagirl]

I apologize in advance. First time women boat owner so have patience with me as I don't know the proper names for engine or mechanical issues. Will do my best to describe parts. Just purchased a 97 single engine 85 HP sportster. Added premium fuel today for the first time since boat already had a 1/2 tank of gas when purchased. While traveling thru a "no wake" zone boat stalled out 2 times and restarted immediately without any problems. Engine rans great. I did forget to recap when I flushed the engine out a week ago. After recapping flushing intake plug and a Couple hours later, again, while in a "no wake" zone boat stalled out another 2 times. Again, boat restarted immediately and engine ran great? The boat was only ran for a total of 30 mins in a "no wake" zone before noticing I didn't replace the flushing cap. My friend thinks it might be the "ignition key" losing connection?????? Any ideas what may be causing boat to stall would be greatly appreciated. Adding the new fuel today is the only change that was made before the "stalling" begun.

 

[Dr Honda]

Welcome.

Flushing the engine isn't always needed... UNLESS you are running in salt water. But, leaving the cap off wont' hurt anything. It just sends water into the storage compartment.

As far as the stalling... it could be that the idle is a little low... the low needles aren't set right... the spark plugs are lightly fould... or yes... the lanyard cap could be loosing contact, or the lanyard post is going bad.

So... let's talk about the lanyard. If the lanyard post is going bad. When the engine shuts off, the fuel gauge would turn off, and come back to life... also, you would get a series off beeps. (like when you put your lanyard on) If the lanyard was just loosing an electrical contact... the engine would shut down... but you would get ERROR beeps since the MPEM (the computer) can't read the chip in the key.


So... is it doing that??? If not... I would put in fresh spark plugs... verify that the low speed carb needles are set to 1-1/4 turns out... and make sure the idle is set to 1500 rpm. (in the water) Out of the water the engine will probably idle around 3000 RPM... but you can't properly set the idle out of the water. So... put the boat in the water... but while still hooked to the trailer... you can start the engine, and adjust the idle.

 

[hulagirl]

Thank You for replying to my question. I live in Padre Island, TX where the boat is in salt water so I do flush after each use. My fuel gauge does not work. I thought the engine sounded like it was sputtering yesterday but my friend said it's normal sounding from a 2 stroke single engine. I did not hear the 2 beep warning/alarm sound when the boat stalled. The previous owner said we may need to replace the spark plugs. I will have my friend check the low speed carb needle and replace the spark plugs and (HOPEFULLY) the boat won't stall anymore. I was really looking forward to going out on my first solo boat ride today but nervous it may stall so I will bring along my friend (boat instructor....lol).