Please help me and my issue!!😡

Hello group. This may be long but I need y’all’s help. I have been without my boat for three summers because of a carburetor/vapor lock/actuator or some other issue. Here is the problem.

Engine is a stock 225 OMC 307 engine with a quadrajet carburetor. 903 original hours. 1975 Cc Skier. The problem is I start it, run a few miles, runs great, slow down going under bridge, start to speed up and the engine shuts off just like I pulled the kill switch. Start it again, let it idle, slowly put it in gear and bam the engine dies. Repeat this two or three times then look for a tow back to the ramp.

New parts attempting to fix it:
-fuel pump
-condensor
-new coil
-new coil to distributor wire
-new plugs
-rebuilt carburetor
-new fuel filter

What I have been told are the possible issues:

-Vapor lock
-Accelerator pump not functioning
-get rid of the quadrajet and buy a Edelbrock 1409 marine carburetor per Woody at White Lake Marine
-if the issue is vapor lock, add another blower motor to vent hot air from under the engine cover
-wrap the fuel line from the filter to the carburetor in heat resistant tape or simply eliminate the stainless fuel line and go with a fuel hose
-I lined the underside of the engine cover with heat shielding insulating tape to keep the heat from discoloring my newly refinished engine cover. Maybe the tape is now keeping all the heat enclosed and causing the gas to boil in excess and thus a vapor lock
-the gas made for vehicles today is different that 50 years ago and is not suitable for the quadrajet

I would be extremely grateful for all your expertise in helping me solve this disappointing situation I’m in. I’ve owned the boat for 35 years and it’s stunning on the water but I can’t use it as it is and I am tired of knowing I will most likely be towed in again trying to find the problem.

Thank you. Scott Branum

What happens if instead of slowing down to go under the bridge, you just turn and go back where you started, without slowing down and do a few laps like that? 

Hi MrMcd,

First, thank you for the lengthy response. I appreciate your time in doing so.

Paragraph 1:
I forgot to mention I had drained the tank before, used real non ethanol gas, and even replaced the fuel pickup device. I did not see anything on the screen or looking in the tank. I hope I installed it correctly but I’m questioning my installation. The gage bounces all over the place while riding around.

Paragraph 2:
The vent line is only about 2ft from the time of the tank to the outside of the boat on the transom

Paragraph 3:
Not sure. I can check

Paragraph 4:
I don’t think this is an issue

Paragraph 5:
Here is something I forgot to mention. When my boat last failed me before being towed in, the fuel filter was FULL which only left the short distance for fuel to travel in that stainless steel line entering the carburetor.

Paragraph 6:
The fuel pump is brand new and I know it fills the clear Fram fuel filter

Any chance to check your antisiphon valve yet. (paragraph 3) ?

And like I mentioned initially, the fram fuel filter one foot from the carb is full

It could be electrical. I have the wiring diagrams but it ran forever the way it is now so I don’t know.

Yes it has points. Ran very little since last replaced. Runs like it was brand new for 45 mins and idles as good as it can get. Condenser replaced recently because I was told to try it. Coil to distributor wire replaced because there was resistance and the coil end filled with coil lubricant when the coil blew up. Replaced the coil as well. Balist resistor replaced recently.

I don’t know the brand and part number for the coil. Bought it at a parts store. I will say it used to get SUPER HOT for whatever reason and I think it exploded and thus the reason for fluid in the distributor wire cap.

This whole thing is so frustrating that for the first time in 35 years of owning this boat I wish I didn’t have it anymore even knowing that when it’s right, there’s nothing I like better