Questions aren't a problem, they are very refreshing. Usually, I just get a shoulder shrug and a "well, I don't know then".
1) Yes, it runs well at all speeds once I get it and keep it going. In fact, since I put the new pulse pump in, I think it may be running faster if that's possible.
2) This has been going on for the past 2 years.
3) I THINK, it began occurring right after I got it out of storage 2 years ago. I would describe it as intermittent now. It USUALLY doesn't occur if I just shut down for about 10 minutes or less and then decide to move. It almost seems that if I keep the engine warm, or let it warm up for a few minutes, all is fine. But not every time.
4) I have not tried a remote fuel tank yet. I am headed up north to the cabin for 2 weeks of vacation, where I have a remote tank I can hook up for that test. If that doesn't do the trick, I was going to decarbon the motor (2000 XR6) with the spray can stuff, blow that out, then add new plugs, even though I know that won't solve the problem, because I have done the decarbon and plugs before, but it's time for that anyway.
Other than the stalling out, the motor runs fantastic. Once I get it past the point of stalling out, it will keep running and seems to run just fine, and sounds good too (i am VERY attune to the sounds it makes, anything out of the norm, I pick up on right away). I have made some very long runs on Lake St Clair with no issues. I did notice an occasional very quick drop in rpm's/power last year when running at top end, but after changing the pulse pump and removing the water separating fuel filter this spring, changing the fuel lines and primer bulb, that seems to have stopped. I DON'T THINK the stalling out is harming anything, since it's been going on for two years now and I run the boat at least once a week. Seems if something bad was going to happen, it would have already. It is however a HUGE annoyance. I either have to drive at quarter speed for a few minutes until whatever needs to happen or kick in, kicks in. Or I have to sit for a few minutes with the motor running, and sometimes that doesn't even work, and off I go at 1/4 throttle or less till something happens in the motor that allows me to throttle up to plane. The process has now become a running joke with my fishing buddies..! I have a feeling that it's something REALLY simple that I'm overlooking. I just don't know what more I could do. Seems that if it was starving for fuel, pressing in the key to choke it would help, but it actually results in the exact opposite and hastens the stalling out, that is why I've been putting off the remote tank, but I can give that a try. Seems to be the only thing left that I have the technical know how to do myself.
