"Popping" sound

duane.mosley

glad you got it fixed. sucks it wasn't a 400 dollar tune up like my issue.

aferretti3

Wildboating, we are at edgewater yacht club. I used rusty with northeast marine. I would recommend him to other people...he's busy right now so the only problem was just getting him there. But this time of year that's to be expected I guess. 

Dream_Inn

Yep, no surprise here!  I've seen that issue on my boat and a few others.  Glad you got it fixed!

MarkB

Nice! Glad problem is solved.

pepmyster

Good to see all is okay!

Black_Diamond

The ethanol curse.  If you are a Boat US member you got an email about this earlier this week.  if not, here it is:

July 13, 2015

Dear BoatU.S. Member-

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is asking for comments on a proposal to increase the amount of ethanol that must be blended into the nation’s fuel supply for 2015 and 2016. If adopted, these proposed levels will require the use of a record amount of ethanol, forcing higher-level fuel blends (including E15 or 15% ethanol) into more gas stations. Remember that most marine engines are built to only work with up to 10% ethanol and it is prohibited to use gas containing more than 10% ethanol in all marine engines.

Please take a moment to send a message NOW urging the EPA to lower the ethanol mandates to ensure an adequate supply of fuel that will work in your boat.

Background:

The Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS) is the 2005 law that requires the blending of biofuels such as corn-ethanol into our gasoline. When written, it was assumed that America’s use of gasoline would continue to rise and therefore mandated escalating amounts of biofuels to be blended with our fuel. Since 2005, U.S. gasoline usage has actually dropped steadily and now the law forces more ethanol into fewer gallons of gasoline.

To keep up with this mandate, in 2010 the EPA permitted E15 (fuel containing up to 15% ethanol) into the marketplace, for some engines. E15 is prohibited from being used in marine engines, snowmobiles, motorcycles, small engines like lawnmowers and leaf blowers, as well as any vehicle made before 2001. In multiple studies, E15 has been proven to damage boat engines.

E15 and higher ethanol blends fuel can now be found in 24 states, often at the very same pumps as E10 gasoline. The only warning you may have is one sticker mixed in with all the other warning labels on the pump. This creates a huge potential for mis-fueling and puts boaters at risk of using fuel that will damage their engines. CLICK HERE for more information on E15 and the Renewable Fuel Standard.

Thanks for being a BoatU.S. member and for taking action to let EPA hear how you care about the ethanol level in the fuel you buy for your boat engine. Help us out and please FORWARD TO A FRIEND.

Sincerely,

Margaret B. Podlich

President, BoatU.S.

703-461-2878 x8363

www.BoatUS.com/gov

Dream_Inn

Yep, I got it and clicked the link, added more to the template and sent it out.  I think we all need to voice on this.  I just wish the ethanol crap wasn't started in the first place!

tk1973

Had the same issue this year. Boat wouldn't get on plane had some weird popping/backfiring. Replaced the plugs and both filters in the cool fuel module. Still no difference. Took off the regulator and noticed some small paint chips in the module. Cleaned it out the best I could and reinstalled the regulator, no more issues. Just insane that a couple small pieces could wreak havoc like that. 

Liberty44140

If you can, stop using ethanol fuel

69fastback

Holy thread resurrection.  

RustyS

When first reading this thread, a member of my boating group experienced a "popping" sound similar to this. I knew it wasn't the cool fuel module as his boat is a 1998 SR 290 with 5.7 and Alpha gen 2 drives.

Same thing; only occurred at high RPMs, and sounded like detonation, fuel, or something ignition related.

What we ended up finding is the neutral safety switch has a spring back on the linkage at top of motor. After removing and spreading the spring and reassembling the popping was gone.

Shortly after this issue he shredded the upper gears in the drive; my guess is it was related to the high RPM engage/disengage resulting from the safety switch disengaging under the extreme load.

Fast forward to this year. After his first run this past weekend the popping has re-appeared. This time he is going to replace the neutral safety switch entirely.

Just thought I would share the experience....not fuel related at all in this case as we all always use 91 ethanol free.

GMSLITHO

I would have thought he would have replaced the switch as soon as the drive went back on 

rjw1575

Paint chips are a manufacturer covered problem. They did not test with ethanol in gas. Give them a call and fing out.