slightly blue smoke, inconsistant RPM

[Jeff Lavallee]

Here goes: Sea Gal started acting up today. The boat came close to stalling but would not stall. I could put the throttle up to 2500 RPM and it would go down on its own, sometimes as low as 500 rpm with out moving the throttle. We limped all the way back ( she would not quit) and the RPM's seem to have a mind of thier own. I could have it 3/4's of the way forward and go to an almost stall and then move it back and gain RPM?? I am thinking fuel filters but really have no experience with any of this yet. There was a slight blueish/ withe smoke. I have the 6cyl Nissan LD-28. any advice? When I got back to the mooring and left her at idle she seemed to be running fine (at idle) as soon as I give it some "gas" it would be very inconsistant. Advice is appreciated

[Jeff Lavallee]

1985 Albin 27-Here goes: Sea Gal started acting up today. The boat came close to stalling but would not stall. I could put the throttle up to 2500 RPM and it would go down on its own, sometimes as low as 500 rpm with out moving the throttle. We limped all the way back ( she would not quit) and the RPM's seem to have a mind of thier own. I could have it 3/4's of the way forward and go to an almost stall and then move it back and gain RPM?? I am thinking fuel filters but really have no experience with any of this yet. There was a slight blueish/ withe smoke. I have the 6cyl Nissan LD-28. any advice? When I got back to the mooring and left her at idle she seemed to be running fine (at idle) as soon as I give it some "gas" it would be very inconsistant. Advice is appreciated

[edit: Topics merged]

[jcollins]

Given my recent experience with fuel filters that would be my guess.

[Fortunate]

My initial suggestion would be to change the fuel filters. Sounds like it is starving.

[GoFish]

We had a similar experience last month. Turned out to be a clogged fuel filter -- the previous owner didn't run the boat very often. Apparently you accumulate a lot of crud in the tanks when it sits like that.

Go Fish

[Jeff Lavallee]

That seems to be what the problem was. The smoke is gone and the engine feels like a completely different engine. Thanks for the help

[RobS]

Glad to see you nipped it in the butt.

I do both my Racor and my secondary fuel filter a couple engine hours after Spring . Then the Racor gets changed out again late summer, needed or not, for the $12 and 10 minutes time it just aint worth waiting.