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Cruising America's Great Loop and other inland routes
View all threadssmall outboard problems
I have a looper at anchor behind my home. He was awaiting weather to cross to
the Bahamas when his 10 year old 4 stroke, 4 hp Mercury outboard failed to
start. He asked if he could set it up in my yard until he figured out the
problem.
Since then he has installed a NEW carburetor. It now starts, but stops after
about 15 seconds.
I have no ideas for him - perhaps somebody in this group can help him out, or I
will have to take him to a mechanic, which both of us are reluctant to do.
Any ideas fellows?
Tommy
Sounds like a fuel restriction to the carb or injector assembly (whatever applicable). Make sure the line to the tank is clear and not kinked.
MM
Mischief
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lVHC8GQMzE Prairie 29
On Mar 28, 2012, at 8:31 AM, circumnavigate06 wrote:
I have a looper at anchor behind my home. He was awaiting weather to cross to
the Bahamas when his 10 year old 4 stroke, 4 hp Mercury outboard failed to
start. He asked if he could set it up in my yard until he figured out the
problem.
Since then he has installed a NEW carburetor. It now starts, but stops after
about 15 seconds.
I have no ideas for him - perhaps somebody in this group can help him out, or I
will have to take him to a mechanic, which both of us are reluctant to do.
Any ideas fellows?
Tommy
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Outboard problems these days are almost always fuel related, especially on a
10 year old model. The 10% ETHANOL that he tree huggers forced upon us tear
these engines up and the 15% Ethanol that is coming will be all the worse.
First, dump out ALL the gas. Go get new gas. Use RECREATIONAL 90 gas instead
of Ethanol.
Use STABIL in the new gas and all gas purchased from now on.
Second, remove the fuel hose lines to the carb. Inspect the inside of them
for deterioration. Change the fuel filter.
Think about the path that the fuel travels and work on that.
Take a look at this fuel hose from the tank to the engine that I replaced in
January.
http://tinyurl.com/d3lv2y3
Note how the INSIDE of the hose is deteriorated....only 4 years old !
R.
-----Original Message-----
Sounds like a fuel restriction to the carb or injector assembly (whatever
applicable). Make sure the line to the tank is clear and not kinked.
MM
Mischief
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lVHC8GQMzE Prairie 29
On Mar 28, 2012, at 8:31 AM, circumnavigate06 wrote:
I have a looper at anchor behind my home. He was awaiting weather to
cross to the Bahamas when his 10 year old 4 stroke, 4 hp Mercury
outboard failed to start. He asked if he could set it up in my yard
until he figured out the problem.
Since then he has installed a NEW carburetor. It now starts, but
stops after about 15 seconds.
I have no ideas for him - perhaps somebody in this group can help him
out, or I will have to take him to a mechanic, which both of us are
reluctant to do.
Ralph is correct. The line between the tank and the engine goes rather
quickly. Most noticeably the O rings in the fittings. I have replace the
tank quick release fitting with a permanent hose barb and a clamp. One less
place for an air leak.
Vinny
M/V Stella Di Mare
35* 06.3' N / 77* 02.8' W
Cell 919-368-2659
Cruising: Fixing your boat in Exotic places
Yachting: Paying someone to fix your boat in Exotic places
-----Original Message-----
From: great-loop-bounces@lists.trawlering.com
[mailto:great-loop-bounces@lists.trawlering.com] On Behalf Of Ralph Yost
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 9:22 AM
To: 'circumnavigate06'
Cc: great-loop@lists.trawlering.com
Subject: Re: GL: small outboard problems
Outboard problems these days are almost always fuel related, especially on a
10 year old model. The 10% ETHANOL that he tree huggers forced upon us tear
these engines up and the 15% Ethanol that is coming will be all the worse.
First, dump out ALL the gas. Go get new gas. Use RECREATIONAL 90 gas instead
of Ethanol.
Use STABIL in the new gas and all gas purchased from now on.
Second, remove the fuel hose lines to the carb. Inspect the inside of them
for deterioration. Change the fuel filter.
Think about the path that the fuel travels and work on that.
Take a look at this fuel hose from the tank to the engine that I replaced in
January.
http://tinyurl.com/d3lv2y3
Note how the INSIDE of the hose is deteriorated....only 4 years old !
R.
-----Original Message-----
Sounds like a fuel restriction to the carb or injector assembly (whatever
applicable). Make sure the line to the tank is clear and not kinked.
MM
Mischief
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lVHC8GQMzE Prairie 29
On Mar 28, 2012, at 8:31 AM, circumnavigate06 wrote:
I have a looper at anchor behind my home. He was awaiting weather to
cross to the Bahamas when his 10 year old 4 stroke, 4 hp Mercury
outboard failed to start. He asked if he could set it up in my yard
until he figured out the problem.
Since then he has installed a NEW carburetor. It now starts, but
stops after about 15 seconds.
I have no ideas for him - perhaps somebody in this group can help him
out, or I will have to take him to a mechanic, which both of us are
reluctant to do.
http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com
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Yep, most likely a fuel related problem. Had the same problem with our 10
year old 4 stroker. Hard starting, if at all, and wouldn't run very long
once it did start.
I had a significant business project I was working on that was almost
overdue and so getting a mechanic to fix it was now our preferred option.
One small challenge ... we were at Staniel Cay, Exumas on a mooring ball. I
called Chubby at the Staniel Cay Yacht Club using VHF channel 16, "Chubby,
Chubby, Chubby, come in Chubby." Okay, for all you who've been there, isn't
that how you call Chubby (now the manager of the club)? He got on the
airwaves and said he was working late and wouldn't be able to do it himself,
but to call Solomon (owns the mooring balls at Club Thunderball). Solomon
said he was tied up that day but said Jeff might have time to look at it.
Solomon gave me Jeff's number. I called Jeff and he said, "sure." But he
didn't have a way out to the boat to pick up the dinghy, but ask Solomon if
he could bring it over to his place.
Okay, you get the drift here... We're all on a first name basis most likely
because nobody knows anybody's last name.
I asked Solomon if he could accommodate and he says, "sure mon." So when he
comes by to pick up rental fee on the mooring ball he hauls off our dinghy
to Jeff, whoever and where ever he is). Let's see did we get references
here? Sure, Chubby recommended Solomon who recommended Jeff. Thinking this
through, I asked my wife, "honey, where's the insurance policy?"
Three hours later here comes our dinghy flying across the water with some
really skinny guy driving. That was Jeff. I thought to myself that maybe if
I got really skinny I could get it to go that fast too.
Turns out the problem was with elderly un-stabilized ethanol infested fuel
causing a sticky valve in the carb. Plus Jeff found "crappola" (mechanic
technical term) in the fuel filter. Plus a "gummy ball" (another mechanic
technical term) at the exit side in the fuel hose.
So now, in a somewhat nervous voice, I asked the dreaded question, "how
much?" He said 50 dollar US. Big smile. I gladly added a tip and gave him a
ride back to his place (which we never quite got to because the tide was out
and so I let him off at the dock by the yellow store next to the airport. On
the way back I opened it up and felt 50 pounds lighter as I flew across the
water.
Ralph's advice will most likely solve the problem, but you will definitely
miss out on the fun of not knowing how long your motor will be gone and how
much it will cost to ransom it back.
Bob
Bob & Kemba DeGroot
Aboard M/V Spirit Dancer, DeFever 49 CMY
MTOA # 1896; DFCruisers # 857; AGLCA # 427; Lakewood Yacht Club
www.BoaterSites.com, Cell :713-876-8787, Skype: 1-281-506-2676 or
dr.bob.degroot
www.SalesHelp.com, www.MarinaCustomerServiceTraining.com
-----Original Message-----
From: great-loop-bounces@lists.trawlering.com
[mailto:great-loop-bounces@lists.trawlering.com] On Behalf Of Ralph Yost
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 8:22 AM
To: 'circumnavigate06'
Cc: great-loop@lists.trawlering.com
Subject: Re: GL: small outboard problems
Outboard problems these days are almost always fuel related, especially on a
10 year old model. The 10% ETHANOL that he tree huggers forced upon us tear
these engines up and the 15% Ethanol that is coming will be all the worse.
First, dump out ALL the gas. Go get new gas. Use RECREATIONAL 90 gas instead
of Ethanol.
Use STABIL in the new gas and all gas purchased from now on.
Second, remove the fuel hose lines to the carb. Inspect the inside of them
for deterioration. Change the fuel filter.
Think about the path that the fuel travels and work on that.
Take a look at this fuel hose from the tank to the engine that I replaced in
January.
http://tinyurl.com/d3lv2y3
Note how the INSIDE of the hose is deteriorated....only 4 years old !
R.
-----Original Message-----
Sounds like a fuel restriction to the carb or injector assembly (whatever
applicable). Make sure the line to the tank is clear and not kinked.
MM
Mischief
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0lVHC8GQMzE Prairie 29
On Mar 28, 2012, at 8:31 AM, circumnavigate06 wrote:
I have a looper at anchor behind my home. He was awaiting weather to
cross to the Bahamas when his 10 year old 4 stroke, 4 hp Mercury
outboard failed to start. He asked if he could set it up in my yard
until he figured out the problem.
Since then he has installed a NEW carburetor. It now starts, but
stops after about 15 seconds.
I have no ideas for him - perhaps somebody in this group can help him
out, or I will have to take him to a mechanic, which both of us are
reluctant to do.
http://lists.trawlering.com/mailman/listinfo/great-loop_lists.trawlering.com
To modify your Great-Loop subscription options (change email address,
unsubscribe, etc.) go to:
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Tommy,
This seems to be something as stupid as loosening the vent button on the
fuel tank.
Regards,
Roger Lalonde
Summerstown Ontario Canada
-----Original Message-----
From: circumnavigate06
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 8:31 AM
To: great-loop@lists.trawlering.com
Subject: GL: small outboard problems
Since then he has installed a NEW carburetor. It now starts, but stops
after
about 15 seconds.
Any ideas fellows?
Tommy
Friend of mine had similar problem in 2008. Problem was that ethanol gas had
dissolved the in-tank fuel line to the point that he had to have a FULL tank
for the 2" of line to suck any fuel! Solution was to replace missing line
w/ethanol resistant hose. Hope this helps
----- Original Message -----
From: "circumnavigate06" circumnavigate06@bellsouth.net
To: great-loop@lists.trawlering.com
Sent: Wednesday, March 28, 2012 8:31 AM
Subject: GL: small outboard problems