New Grady owner here, and with first issues

[ioffe]

Hello Grady gurus,
Yesterday I officially joined the chorus of Grady White customers with a purchase of a new(to me) 2007 Gulfstream 232 with F150s. I had to take this boat from City Island, Bronx to Sheepshead Bay in Brooklyn. The trip was about 17miles. At the time we left seller's marina the hour meter showed 46 hours (the engines covered with YES warranties well into 2013). After 30 minutes of unevetfull cruse @4000rpm I noticed having difficulties to keep both engines RPM at the same level. Starboard engine had to be put to WOT to remain at 4000. After about another 15 minutes, starboard RPMs fell to 3500 and wouldn't go higher. I managed to keep the boat on plane until we arrived, but that misfortunes spoiled my otherwise flawless trip.

I noticed the starboard engine runs rougher(at 600rpm lower) at idle, port runs at 700 and absolutely smooth. The water temperature and oil presure are in norm. Second engine works fine (it tells me the fuel must be OK). Just an observation, in neutral the malfunctioning engine revs all the way up (so 3500rpm limit does not feel superficial, aka imposed by electronics). Where do I begin? Do symptoms look familiar? Should I take the boat to Yamaha dealer?

Thanks,

P.S. I didn't allow this issue get to me. Once we passed Verrazano the fish was all over lower bay and we caught some with just plugs previous owner genersously left on the boat. I had a blast, and the ride was so much better my old 26' Mako. :wow

 

[seasick]

My first guess would be a clogged screen in the high pressure fuel pump.

 

[ioffe]

 

[ayacht]

I think they are on the right track. I would bring it to a dealer and tell them the symptom. See what they say. They should start in the same place. Takes a lot less fuel to get 3500 rpms @ neutral then under load.

 

[max366]

I had very similar symptoms with the new to me 2004 F225s, which had not been used for 18 months prior to me buying it. Turns out the high pressure screen had enough crap on it (as stated above) to shut off the fuel to the pump at high fuel flow rates (but OK at lower speeds) plus the more coarse inlet filter under the cowling had residue. Both cleaned by my dealer plus the Racor- they have run like a top ever since.

 

[NOTHING ELSE MATTERS]

I will second (or third) the high pressure screen.

 

[ioffe]

Good info, thank you all. I purchases a bottle of Seafoam (Autozone has it on sale $8 !!!) and soaked my injectors for 30 min in Seafoam and blew 'em with a compressed air. Also I removed and changed spark plugs. The engine is running very smooth now. Most importantly it gained about 1000rpm at WOT. It doesn't work as good as port one, but there is a definite improvement. I will change fuel water separators and will attempt to get to VST filters later this week.

 

[ioffe]

Just an update. It was a case of a dirty injector. After $100 InjectorRehub treatment it revs all the way up and we have what have on attached picture.

 

[Fishtales]

Still sounds like there could be a fuel issue. I'd replace the fuel separators and put 10 micron Racor in if not already there.
Maybe in spring if you are laying up check the fuel filters and maybe replace as well.

 

[ioffe]

Still sounds like there could be a fuel issue. I'd replace the fuel separators and put 10 micron Racor in if not already there.
Maybe in spring if you are laying up check the fuel filters and maybe replace as well.

Ever since, I replaced all filters starting from separators all the way to VST. However cleaning the injectors did the trick.