Tohatsu 9.8 4S losing power

[humbuck]

Hello All,

I have a Honwave 3M Alu floor with Tohatsu 9.8 4S - from new about 5 years ago.

With Wife and I on board with Labrador and pelicase full of kit it will usually get on to the plane in about 10-15 secs from a standing start. Once on the plane I can back off a wee bit for a cruise but not much. In other words I think we're pretty close to the limits of the 9.8.

Anyway, at the end of last year and all this year we have found that the boat will plane fine on the outbound trip, eg down Windermere but once we have stopped for lunch and then set off for the slip, the boat will not plane (tried going in to wind and out of wind).

I formed a theory that the weight of lunch was taking us past the 9,8s performance envelope , but subsequent testing has shown that even if we stop for a minute after a long run (on the plane) it won't plane again.

Have checked the keel pressure and found it to be fine (electric pump) before and after.

I can only think that the motor is losing power once it's warmed up. I have just changed the oils for no difference. Also fitted some doel fins but made no difference.

I think it's fair to say it's driving me nuts

Anyone seen something similar?

Thanks,

HB

[rossymtb]

Have you given the carb a clean up incase it's jets getting slowly gummed up.(but can't see that only being affected when hot)
Or even plugs breaking down when they are hot and not performing.

Valve clearance aswell. That changes with a warm engine.

[humbuck]

Thanks, yes I'll have a look at the plugs. I have suspicion that it may be running a little rich, so we might be on to something...