Brief engine surge when pulling skier up - 5.7 tbi

[TallSkinnyGuy]

I have a '97 PS 190 with the standard 5.7 TBI. A couple weeks ago I started to pull up the first skier of the day (after the engine had already warmed up) and a second or two after I pushed the throttle down the engine lost power for at most half a second and then regained normal/expected operation. It never did that again the rest of the day. A week later it did the same thing -- just with the first skier.

However, yesterday it started doing this every time except for the skiers who wanted to be pulled up much more gently.

Does this sound like a fuel delivery problem? Any suggestions on what to focus on to troubleshoot?

[mikeg205]

Hiw much fuel in the tank? Check fuel pressure. Could be air getting into fuel pickup. Also have you ever cleaned the little screen in the bottom of fuel pump?

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[TallSkinnyGuy]

So I went to the lake today with plans to do some testing on the fuel delivery system but then realized that the "surging" actually sounded more like the engine was continuing to run but the transmission was slipping out and then back in gear. So I checked the transmission dipstick and the transmission fluid was not even touching the dipstick. I turned the engine off to let more transmission fluid drain down into the reservoir to see if it would touch the dipstick. Nope. I must have a transmission fluid leak of some sort. I change it every year as part of my winterizing routine and I've always put back in the same amount I took out and never lost any. So this is a new situation.

Do you think I've done a lot of damage to my transmission with the oil so low?
I guess I'll need to research transmission fluid leaks now. I'm concerned because this feels like it might get expensive.

[mikeg205]

Filler her up to the right level.... if she does not slop ur good. Original oem trans hoses?

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[TallSkinnyGuy]

Yeah, I think everything with the transmission is original. Cleaning out the bilge today to help identify where the leak is coming from. Hopefully it is just a hose. And hopefully keeping the right amount of fluid in there will keep it from slipping.

[curver900]

you need to check it hot in the water... then I once that is done when I change it i check the dipstick before I change it and fill it back to the exact same level....

[Veggy]

How did it turn out ? Did you find any leaks ? I just had the same issue with my 94 prostar. I changed the fluid and topped it up it seemed low I haven’t pushed it yet but the first test drive it seemed good. I’m going to try it again today. My fluid didn’t look to bad but I might change it again to see how it looks.