Low Power After Storage? Diagnosing Your Boat’s Performance Issues in Kemah
It’s a common scenario: your boat has been in storage, and when you finally get it back on the water, it just doesn’t feel the same. The engine lacks its usual power, struggles to get on plane, or simply runs rough. Your suspicion about “bad gas” is a very common and often correct starting point when diagnosing performance issues after a period of inactivity.
At Yes Centers, we understand that lost power and poor performance can quickly turn a fun day on the water into a frustrating one. Our skilled marine technicians specialize in diagnosing and resolving these exact issues, bringing our expertise directly to your dockside in Kemah, TX.
The Culprit: Often, It’s the Fuel System
When a boat sits in storage, especially for a year or more, the fuel left in the tank and lines can degrade significantly. Modern ethanol-blended gasoline is particularly susceptible to “going bad” over time, leading to:
- Fuel Oxidation: Gasoline oxidizes and breaks down, forming gums, varnishes, and solids that can clog fuel filters, fuel lines, and carburetor jets (on carbureted engines) or injectors (on fuel-injected engines).
- Ethanol’s Effects: Ethanol attracts and absorbs water (phase separation), creating a layer of water and ethanol at the bottom of the tank. This water can then be drawn into the fuel system, causing severe corrosion and engine damage.
- Contamination: Dirt, rust from the tank, or microbial growth (“diesel bug” in diesel, but can occur in gasoline if water is present) can also lead to blockages.
How Bad Fuel Impacts Engine Power:
When your engine tries to run on degraded or contaminated fuel, it struggles to get the proper fuel-to-air mixture it needs to produce power:
- Starvation: Clogged filters or lines prevent enough fuel from reaching the engine, especially when it demands more power (e.g., trying to get on plane).
- Improper Burn: Degraded fuel burns inefficiently, leading to misfires, rough running, and significantly reduced power output.
- Damage: Over time, contaminated fuel can lead to costly damage to fuel pumps, injectors, carburetors, and even internal engine components.
Diagnosing Your Boat’s Performance Issues in Kemah:
When you experience lost power after storage, our Yes Centers technicians will typically perform a thorough diagnostic process, including:
- Fuel System Inspection:
- Checking fuel quality in the tank for separation or degradation.
- Inspecting and, if necessary, replacing fuel filters (primary and secondary).
- Checking fuel lines for cracks, kinks, or blockages.
- Testing fuel pressure and flow.
- Engine Diagnostics:
- Performing engine scans (for electronically controlled engines) to check for fault codes.
- Checking spark plugs, ignition system components, and compression (if indicated).
- Inspecting air intake and exhaust systems for restrictions.
- Carburetor or Fuel Injector Service:
- If the fuel system is the culprit, we’ll recommend cleaning or rebuilding carburetors, or cleaning/testing fuel injectors, to restore proper fuel delivery.
Why Trust Yes Centers for Your Boat’s Diagnostics in Kemah?
Don’t let a year in storage lead to a season of frustration. Our experienced marine technicians are experts at uncovering the root cause of lost power and performance issues in all types of boat engines. We bring our diagnostic tools and expertise directly to your boat’s location in Kemah, TX, providing convenient and efficient service.
We’ll clearly explain our findings and recommend the most effective solutions, whether it’s a simple fuel system flush and filter change or more extensive engine work.
Is your boat lacking its usual punch after storage?
Request Service by filling out our convenient online form: https://yescenters.com/service-request-form/
Let Yes Centers help you restore your boat’s power and get you back to enjoying the Kemah waters with confidence!
