Bad fuel

E

Edwin

Member
After many years with no fuel problems my luck ran out.
on my last trip I started having carburetor problems. Miss firing and stalling during acceleration.
I brought the boat to the shop and as expected the carburetors were gummed up. The shop blamed it on old fuel in the tanks sitting in the carbs
too long. I guess I don't empty the tanks enough. I also blame it on the ethanol in the regular gas I have been using.
We can get 91 octane here with no ethanol so I think I will switch to that fuel from now on. The Yamaha dealer tells me it is OK to use 91 octane.
I have siphoned out the tanks in the past but this time I decided to remove both tanks and clean them properly. I could not believe the dirt that came out from the bottom when I tipped them over. Now I know the tanks are clean. After going that far I figured I might as well change the old fuel lines from the tanks. Easy and cheap now that the tanks are out.
The shop told me that the fuel with ethanol has a much shorter life than the gas with no ethanol.
So from now on the plan is to try to stick to fuel with no ethanol and make sure I don't leave gas age in the tanks. And I will purchase a good funnel with a good screen in it to prevent dirt from my cans from getting into the tanks.
Maybe I have been getting too complacent about my fuel.
I guess I needed a tune up and a wake up call.
Thought I would share my bad fuel experience. Maybe save someone else the trouble.
Other than that we had a good season. We will be ready for next summer.
Edwin.
 
For sure on the fuel filter.
The previous owner had a Yamaha inline fuel filter/water separator set up installed and I install a new one every spring.
I guess that stopped the particles and the water but not the gum that was left in the carburetors
I was told that the ethanol has a way of cleaning out all the old gunk in the tanks and fuel lines
The two Yamaha's used to pr like kittens. hopefully I get them back like that next summer.
Edwin
 
I was told that the ethanol has a way of cleaning out all the old gunk in the tanks and fuel lines
Click to expand...

I've read the same. The ethanol is a fantastic solvent and, like bio-diesel, will loosen/dissolve all the crud, gunk, etc and put it into the fuel. A good fuel filter is a must have.
 
I still have both tanks out of the boat and wont put them back in till spring.
Then with new gas and new filter and lines I hope to have a fresh start.
Edwin
 
One more recommendation I was given this past week when I had service done on Wild Blue: change out the fuel filter every 90 days, regardless of the engine hours. Seems that ethanol is hard on the filters, too.

Of course, your mileage may vary, free advice (just the way it was given to me), may be worth what you paid. I'm not responsible for any implementation (or non-implementation) thereof. I've relayed a few things that I was told from this boat builder/shop owner friend of mine. I have no interest or stock in filter manufacturers. Children under 18 must be accompanied by an adult. Void where prohibited by law. For external use only. Quantities may be limited. You must be THIS tall to ride. Check with your dealer to see if a C-Dory may be right for you.
 
In northern Alberta the 90 day rule should be easy for me to follow.
Lakes are covered with ice till the end of May and after Labor day only a few dye hard don't have their mind on hunting.
Last year I had changed the filter in the fall and fuel sat in it all winter.
I will get in the habit of installing the new one early June when our season starts.
One should never look a gift horse in the mouth.
And the site has been a gift. Thank you for the advice.
Edwin :thup
 
Also be sure to note what the filtration level of the filter is.

Standard Mecrcury filter, whihc is commonly used is only 25 Micron. Look for 10 micron filtration, as it seems to help. The Yamaha filters are 10 micron.
 
Edwin,
May I suggest one last thing you might consider doing in your attempt to reduce the carburetor issues described in your post. Most motors using carburetors have small "drain plugs" in the carburetor float bowls. If you intend to store your rig for more than a month it might be best to drain each "bowl" of gas. This is an easy and quick maintenance procedure and will prevent "gum" that is left after ethanol containing fuel evaporates from clogging the small passages.
 
I assume you close off the fuel valves and run the engines dry of fuel prior to storage - correct? This will empty the float bowls and reduce the amount of gunk left in the carbs.
 
Nope it won't. Barry is correct. There will be a small amount of residual fuel left in each carb bowl. Once the fuel evaporates, gum deposits can/will be left. Most, if not all, carbs have a drain plug at the bottom of each bowl to totally drain all fuel. They are usually brass. I even follow up w/ compressed air blown into the carbs to evaporate any leftover fuel, but be careful it's not too strong as it can damage the fragile floats.
 
Roger,
Closing all fuel valves and running the engine dry never resulted in a complete dispersal of fuel in the "bowls" on my Honda BF-90. And the "assumption" that it would resulted in the need to remove the manifold with carburetors twice in order to clean out the gum! I now keep a small container and screwdriver ready to drain the bowls every time I leave the boat stored for more than a month.
 
On the honda 40 there are 3 carbs where are these skrews located to empty the fuel bowls? So running the engine dry does not empty the fuel bowls ??
 
Thank you Barry
That is another thing I have not been doing and I got away with it up till now.
I will check today to see if the shop drained the bowls after they cleaned the carbs.
Edwin
 
jennykatz":3vzdwelm said:
On the honda 40 there are 3 carbs where are these skrews located to empty the fuel bowls? So running the engine dry does not empty the fuel bowls ??
Click to expand...

You are looking for a brass screw at the bottom of the bowl facing outward on the right side of the engine. The screw dosen't need to be removed, just backed out a bit.
 
Here is a picture out of the Manual
Snap2.jpg


H :wink:
 
Sorry to hear about the fuel problems with the ol gal
I learned the hard way a year before you bought the boat
after sitting in the harbor in the off session she died on me and I needed a tow back
I drained the fuel tanks and eventually had to have the carbs serviced
It seems that carbs are lot more sensitive to the Ethy issues than
Fuel Injection...
staying on top of you maintenance .Fuel separators ALL of...your engine fuel filters....putting a marine fuel stabilizer like "stabil" in the tanks
Is critical
You have a great advantage with being able to use that 91 oct
Non eyth fuel!
I am so glad you are happy with the boat
Have you used the auto pilot yet.?
Your fishing looks wonderful

Cheers
Dick
 
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