Looking for help with a Yamaha 225 2 Stroke and a bad Sunday July 5th

[My Way]

I'd like to thank everyone who contributed/offered assistance/info/suggestions. before I read all the information, I purchased and installed a new primer bulb, took it out a a test run to the intake, ran beautiful then as I rounded the intake, same results, lost all rpms had to limp in at 5 mph . Read all the information posted, went to the marina Saturday and took the gas line off and blew as suggested (several times). Then checked the anti-siphon valve on the pick up tube and there was no ball in the valve, it was free flowing from either direction, went to Mobile R.V. & Marine in Oak Harbor and picked up a new valve installed and motor started right up, ran for 20 minutes, ran beautiful, after I shut it down, checked fuel/water separator, no debris, unable to test run it due to 3 - 5 foot waves Saturday morning.
Went to go fishing Sunday (yesterday) and 1 mile out same results, lost rpms, so I decided to fish right there, 30 minutes, no luck, so I moved a few times, ended up drifting 5.5 miles towards the east, ended up with 1 eye. At this point it was 11:00 I said I better head in. Took off fine, after about a mile & 1/2 lost all rpms again, cut off many times on the way in. At one point I went to prime the bulb to help get it started, the primer bulb had collapsed suck in on itself. end up limping back in, cut off in the channel, I ended up docking in the middle of A bank, let it sit for an hour, then limped back to my dock, very frustrated. Captain Tacky you mention a filter Screen inside the tank, how would I access it? My engine is a 2001 Yamaha 225 TXRP it does not have a VST found how to clean one on You Tube. I also switched to Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment from Sta-Bil. I have ordered new plugs and wires but I really feel as if its a fuel issue because when its idling at the dock it sounds like its running perfect. NOW THE BAD;
I've used any gas available, usually the least expensive I could find, the previous owner only told me to use mid-grade to premium, so if that meant trailing, then that's what I had to do, occasionally I'd get it at Meinke's but its really expensive, almost $4 a gallon at times. I never knew anything about non-ethanol gas until reading this forum, after reading I began paying attention at the pump mostly Costco, they bolster about having Top Tier Gas but over the weekend I see the pump says; "contains 10% ethanol" So this is where I am, it's so frustrating I'm about ready to go to a shop, $$$ but most in the area don't/won't service Yamaha, the closest I could find is; Happy Days or Dubbert's' PC!
Thank you all in advance for any & all of the assistance.

[CAPT.WACO]

I'd like to thank everyone who contributed/offered assistance/info/suggestions. before I read all the information, I purchased and installed a new primer bulb, took it out a a test run to the intake, ran beautiful then as I rounded the intake, same results, lost all rpms had to limp in at 5 mph . Read all the information posted, went to the marina Saturday and took the gas line off and blew as suggested (several times). Then checked the anti-siphon valve on the pick up tube and there was no ball in the valve, it was free flowing from either direction, went to Mobile R.V. & Marine in Oak Harbor and picked up a new valve installed and motor started right up, ran for 20 minutes, ran beautiful, after I shut it down, checked fuel/water separator, no debris, unable to test run it due to 3 - 5 foot waves Saturday morning.
Went to go fishing Sunday (yesterday) and 1 mile out same results, lost rpms, so I decided to fish right there, 30 minutes, no luck, so I moved a few times, ended up drifting 5.5 miles towards the east, ended up with 1 eye. At this point it was 11:00 I said I better head in. Took off fine, after about a mile & 1/2 lost all rpms again, cut off many times on the way in. At one point I went to prime the bulb to help get it started, the primer bulb had collapsed suck in on itself. end up limping back in, cut off in the channel, I ended up docking in the middle of A bank, let it sit for an hour, then limped back to my dock, very frustrated. Captain Tacky you mention a filter Screen inside the tank, how would I access it? My engine is a 2001 Yamaha 225 TXRP it does not have a VST found how to clean one on You Tube. I also switched to Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment from Sta-Bil. I have ordered new plugs and wires but I really feel as if its a fuel issue because when its idling at the dock it sounds like its running perfect. NOW THE BAD;
I've used any gas available, usually the least expensive I could find, the previous owner only told me to use mid-grade to premium, so if that meant trailing, then that's what I had to do, occasionally I'd get it at Meinke's but its really expensive, almost $4 a gallon at times. I never knew anything about non-ethanol gas until reading this forum, after reading I began paying attention at the pump mostly Costco, they bolster about having Top Tier Gas but over the weekend I see the pump says; "contains 10% ethanol" So this is where I am, it's so frustrating I'm about ready to go to a shop, $$$ but most in the area don't/won't service Yamaha, the closest I could find is; Happy Days or Dubbert's' PC!
Thank you all in advance for any & all of the assistance.

Have you noticed any un-burnt fuel coming out of the back of the motor? I had a very similar problem with my ox66 225 last summer. My problem ended up being a fuel pump. Replaced all 3 for 150.00 and all is good. Should be a you tube video on how to check for a bad diaphragm. Think all I did was tighten all the screws around the housing then loosen the pump from the cylinder and pump the bulb. If no fuel leaks out tighten and go to the next one and repeat. Worth a look but im old and forgetful so look for a video.

[pimplepounder]

Curious,
Did you try a different tank yet? like the stowaway tank method? I have read all the posts. Yes ethanol is not a good thing (But) Read on
I do not want to jinx myself, but I have burnt over 5 gallons of Opti II 2 stroke oil since last August so that means I have burnt a bunch of gas. I have done this for a lot of years too. I burn premium pump gas from any old gas station. I am sure there is some ethanol in it. To be honest I do not look. But the key is in not letting the fuel sit in the tank for long periods of time. Ethanol is hydroscopic so it absorbs water and that is where the contaminant bonds with the ethanol and can produce some funk. If you can get your problem to happen again, a separate tank will tell you where the problem is. If you plug in the stow away and the problem goes away, the problem is with your tank. If you plug in the stow away and the problem is still there, the problem is between your tank connection and the engine. I made my living doing similar things mechanically for a lot of years. Now I just teach it. And run my boat and go fishing..

[My Way]

Thanks Pounder, I hadn't tried a different tank yet because my engine or tank doesn't have a quick connect connection, but I can disconnect the fuel line from the water separator and run it directly into a 5 gallon gas can. I am going to the marina and try that first thing in the morning, I just have to figure out the fuel to oil mix ratio since I'll be bypassing the precision mix oil tank. Thanks again.

[captain tacky]

Thanks Pounder, I hadn't tried a different tank yet because my engine or tank doesn't have a quick connect connection, but I can disconnect the fuel line from the water separator and run it directly into a 5 gallon gas can. I am going to the marina and try that first thing in the morning, I just have to figure out the fuel to oil mix ratio since I'll be bypassing the precision mix oil tank. Thanks again.

50 :1 is the Mixture

[captain tacky]

50 :1 is the Mixture

Also more oil is better than less, make sure you have enough in it.

Before I did this I would take the Line off and blow in it, it should gargle sound and the pressure will come out of the Vent, the vents have also known to plug with Spiders. also crack the gas Cap loos when running and experiencing Problem, this will also vent it if that is problem .

Screen in Fuel Tank, Gas Filter , Check Valve , Vent , Collapsed or Pinched Fuel Line , One of these or a combination is your issue given age of Boat and your Description. All are easily repairable yourself .

[captain tacky]

I'd like to thank everyone who contributed/offered assistance/info/suggestions. before I read all the information, I purchased and installed a new primer bulb, took it out a a test run to the intake, ran beautiful then as I rounded the intake, same results, lost all rpms had to limp in at 5 mph . Read all the information posted, went to the marina Saturday and took the gas line off and blew as suggested (several times). Then checked the anti-siphon valve on the pick up tube and there was no ball in the valve, it was free flowing from either direction, went to Mobile R.V. & Marine in Oak Harbor and picked up a new valve installed and motor started right up, ran for 20 minutes, ran beautiful, after I shut it down, checked fuel/water separator, no debris, unable to test run it due to 3 - 5 foot waves Saturday morning.
Went to go fishing Sunday (yesterday) and 1 mile out same results, lost rpms, so I decided to fish right there, 30 minutes, no luck, so I moved a few times, ended up drifting 5.5 miles towards the east, ended up with 1 eye. At this point it was 11:00 I said I better head in. Took off fine, after about a mile & 1/2 lost all rpms again, cut off many times on the way in. At one point I went to prime the bulb to help get it started, the primer bulb had collapsed suck in on itself. end up limping back in, cut off in the channel, I ended up docking in the middle of A bank, let it sit for an hour, then limped back to my dock, very frustrated. Captain Tacky you mention a filter Screen inside the tank, how would I access it? My engine is a 2001 Yamaha 225 TXRP it does not have a VST found how to clean one on You Tube. I also switched to Star Tron Enzyme Fuel Treatment from Sta-Bil. I have ordered new plugs and wires but I really feel as if its a fuel issue because when its idling at the dock it sounds like its running perfect. NOW THE BAD;
I've used any gas available, usually the least expensive I could find, the previous owner only told me to use mid-grade to premium, so if that meant trailing, then that's what I had to do, occasionally I'd get it at Meinke's but its really expensive, almost $4 a gallon at times. I never knew anything about non-ethanol gas until reading this forum, after reading I began paying attention at the pump mostly Costco, they bolster about having Top Tier Gas but over the weekend I see the pump says; "contains 10% ethanol" So this is where I am, it's so frustrating I'm about ready to go to a shop, $$$ but most in the area don't/won't service Yamaha, the closest I could find is; Happy Days or Dubbert's' PC!
Thank you all in advance for any & all of the assistance.

I dock at Meinke West, looks like that is your home port also, if you want to email me [email protected] I would be glad to stop take a look, it is a Fuel delivery issue if the Buld is Collapsing, No charge, I live close and always like to help if I can . I would bet the screen is plugged , very common problem.