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Dropped RPMS

Discussion in 'Post Yacht' started by bradlangdon, May 3, 2026 at 1:43 PM.

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  1. bradlangdon

    bradlangdon New Member

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    1989 43 with 671 TIB's, I have seen it turn both 2400-2450. Bottom was inspected and cleaned and props look good. I have dropped down to 2100 on both engines at WOT, speed is way off of course as well, very little black smoke even when I get on the throttles heavy. One puff of smoke and it goes away at one second and then only hits 2100 on both. I just changed the primaries and secondaries, also removed air filters and cleaned them. In neutral , I am seeing 2575-2600 dead racking in neutral. Can anyone provide me with any potential issues that I have not thought of yet? Your help as always is very much appreciated.
  2. Greg Page

    Greg Page Senior Member

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    When one of the 6-71 TIB powered boats we looked at had low RPM the mechanic came and re-set/timed the injection racks.
  3. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Fuel filters..
    I have chased this problem before.
    Had it myself when I put in to fine of mid and secondary filters.
    No black smoke when the engines don't get fuel.
    Vacume and pressure gauges really help here.
  4. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    When was the last time it made RPM loaded?
    What has been done since?
    Was the boat out of the water when inspected and cleaned then?
    What has been loaded into the boat since the last time it made RPM?
  5. boatpoor

    boatpoor Senior Member

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    You say the props look good but what do they feel like? If the feel like 40 grit sandpaper or worse, that will rob a lo of RPMs.
  6. bradlangdon

    bradlangdon New Member

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    Thank you , did that cure the RPM issue for you?
  7. bradlangdon

    bradlangdon New Member

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    Diver was on boat twice last week said we are good on running gear and bottom
  8. bradlangdon

    bradlangdon New Member

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    All GREAT points but here is a more detailed description, nothing changed since it last made 2400-2450 WOT, in fact I have taken some weight off of the boat. The boat performs like a naturally aspirated diesel as I do not hear the turbos spooling up on either engine. There is virtually no "black smoke" at any time indicating that the fuel is just not there. I have zero running issues other than RPM turns. No vibrations, no white smoke, no blue smoke, temps and oil pressures are all in the same spot , no issues other than RPM's. I feel as though it is not getting enough fuel and that it might be some sort of linkage or governor adjustment.
  9. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    IMO; Linkage and governor just don't change over night,,, or without getting messed with.

    I have another thought; There are little hoses at the blower ends that may need attention.
    Part of the blower bypass, if they get old or bumped, they may get loose and leak dis-engaging pressure to the bypass system..

    Please offer filter part numbers.
  10. Greg Page

    Greg Page Senior Member

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    We didn't buy the boat for other reasons. One engine was up to RPM, other being worked on when we bailed.
  11. Lunderic

    Lunderic Member

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    Is this a new load of diesel? Old diesel? I've had suspect fuel that caused similar symptoms. Cleared up with fresh high-quality fuel. I'm assuming based on your post all filters are good.
  12. bradlangdon

    bradlangdon New Member

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    Both primaries and secondaries are brand new, I am replacing them again tonight and inspected turbos to see if they spin freely . I am leaning hard towards a bad batch of fuel , that is the only thing that has changed since we last ran boat, no other mechanical work whatsoever. And again, zero black smoke, no white smoke, no blue smoke, all indicates fuel starvation. Oh yeah, no turbo spooling sounds either. It is like both turbos are not engaging, another example of no fuel = no boost.
  13. bradlangdon

    bradlangdon New Member

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    It is a newer load of fuel, did not run boat much in the last couple of months and then took on additional 250 gallons of new fuel. Then started running the boat and noticed the sluggish, lost RPM issue.
  14. bradlangdon

    bradlangdon New Member

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    Primary filters are Racor 2020 30 micron filters and the secondaries are the canister type that go onto the engine, cant recall their number but as I recall they are 10 micron filters that go into the metal housings.
  15. bradlangdon

    bradlangdon New Member

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    Greg Page , did that solve the missing RPM issue when they did the rack adjustments? Odd that it has happened at same time to both engines, really leaning towards nasty fuel load. Going back to change all filters again tonight and re run it tomorrow . I will let you know if the filters look bad tonight. Only ran for roughly 20 minutes on these filters so far.
  16. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    That's usually another primary filter. Secondary filters should be spin on cans. Are you overlooking another filter?
    These are TIBs? 450+HP?

    If those blowers do not go into bypass mode, the fuel modulators will not open up the throttles all the way (no black smoke).
  17. Greg Page

    Greg Page Senior Member

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    Seller noticed RPM on one engine was low when brought to a yard for bottom service, so it was adjusted. Then he noticed other engine was low when bringing back to his home marina (for sea trial), so it was adjusted. Both times he used my recommended 6-71 mechanic (was already mostly retired). Found enough other problems to walk on it before seller took out again. His broker reported it then made full RPM/24 kts, but I had already decided I wouldn't buy a 6-71 boat as mechanics were too few and all retiring for me to be comfortable getting knowledgable service 10 years out. We bought a re-powered boat.
  18. Robertoman

    Robertoman Member

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    The Racors should be 10 micron,
    Try that and report back
  19. Capt Ralph

    Capt Ralph Senior Member

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    Stepped in what?

    There is a reason that filters are staged as they are. Course, medium and if needed fine.
    You don't start with a fine filter that will clog first and often.