Mercruiser 3.0 will not go more than 3800 rpm

[Jolly]

My engine runs nice until I reach between 3500 and 4000 rpm. I usually get 5000rpm. This is a Mercruiser 3.0 130HP from 2005. The fuel filter looks good and I bought new ignition system one year ago. Any suggestion??????

 

[Lazy Daze]

-- Fuel quality (what the filter "looks like" on the outside doesn't matter)
-- Fuel starvation
-- Tune Up
-- Carb issues
-- Fouled bottom/running gear
-- Engine compression

 

[Jolly]

Thank you. I hope for carburator/fuel pump issue and as long as it runs like normal until about 3800 I hope comp. is ok. Do you know if this carburator has a kind of 2 step function?

 

[rustybronco]

\wa a

I hope comp. is ok. Do you know if this carburator has a kind of 2 step function?

You can usually borrow a compression tester for a local auto parts store with a loan a tool program.

It's a 2 barrel with both bbl's opening at the same time. Another thing you may want to consider is a bad power valve in the carb. They usually fail and throw a lot of fuel which cause the engine to run excessively rich but it could possibly fail to open as well.

 

[Jolly]

I have rebuilt with el fuel pump and it runs nice. But the real test will be next summer when I put it into the sea again.
Thank you for your help