GameFisher 3.0 HP (Tanaka TOB-300) Startup Prob

[Jhaas]

Hello all.

I have searched all through the forum for this but I'm only able to pick up bits and pieces and have tried a few methods.

I have a GameFisher 3.0 (Tanaka TOB-300). I bought it new and really rarely used it. I then had it stored in my garage for several years. I decided to use it again this year. I went to this forum and found Tanaka's site and downloaded the PDF on how to take it apart and such. I took the carb apart and cleaned it real good. It was gummed up some. I took apart the main jet, Jet Needle, cleaned the seat needle. then started it up in a drum of water and everything worked ok. I took it to the lake and it worked fine but would die on me after a while, but it would start right back up. I did see this same issue on the forum.

However it's been a month and I went to take it out again and the darn thing wont start. When it did start it only started for a minute or so then died. I've been screwed ever since. I took it all apart again, cleaned it, replaced the fuel lines from a local hardware store. Still wont start. It acts like it wants to, but never really gets going. Now I did notice something interesting. The bowl where the fuel comes doesn't always look full. I made sure everything was open as well as the screw on the gas tank. Could it be the float seeing it is so old, or the new fuel lines? They are slightly larger than the original.

John

 

[Tom @ Buzzard Bluff]

Re: GameFisher 3.0 HP (Tanaka TOB-300) Startup Prob

<I took the carb apart and cleaned it real good. It was gummed up some. I took apart the main jet, Jet Needle, cleaned the seat needle.----I took it all apart again, cleaned it, replaced the fuel lines from a local hardware store. Still wont start. It acts like it wants to, but never really gets going. Now I did notice something interesting. The bowl where the fuel comes doesn't always look full. I made sure everything was open as well as the screw on the gas tank.>

A fuel system extends all the way from the gastank vent through the reedplate. I think the vent is what you were referring to with <the screw on the gas tank>>

But when you said <The bowl where the fuel comes doesn't always look full> you lost me. Are you referring to a gascolater sediment bowl on the fuel petcock? (the right terminology helps!) Have you removed the petcock to clean it and look for a fuel filter?
If the carb was gummy then you can almost bet something else has became gummed up as a result of an incomplete fuel system cleaning. If you failed to clean the ENTIRE system the 1st time around then putting fresh pre-mix in it just thinned the gunk enough for it to migrate to the next restriction. Start over at the vent and re-clean everything all the way to the crankcase! With small 2 strokes the old saying of "Cleanliness is next to Godliness" applies in spades to their fuel systems!
THEN put a fresh plug in it and try it---I'll bet it works!


0

 

[Jhaas]

Re: GameFisher 3.0 HP (Tanaka TOB-300) Startup Prob

Your right. I don't know the right terminolgy....yet. But I do have the Tanaka pdf and am trying to figure it out. Ok. I was able to gt it started for a few minutes, then it just flat out died. I guess I'll check the spark plug again too. By the way, would the factory float that came with it pose an issue? I'll list what I have done so far.

I took the carberator off as well as the new fuel lines I installed. I couldn't find the original so I went to a local hardware store and purchased two feet of fuel line designed for chainsaws and such. The diameter was slightly larger than the original. I cut the tubing to length and used tiny hose clamps to put them on. Don't know if that will have an effect on it. I took apart the petcock and sediment bowl too. The petcock looks a little worn. It has a leather sleeve inside of it which has a little wear and tear on it. I swear everything is shiny now blew it out with canned air and some carb cleaner. man this is a pain.. Still no love. Are there rebuild/repair kits for the carbs?

 

[Tom @ Buzzard Bluff]

Re: GameFisher 3.0 HP (Tanaka TOB-300) Startup Prob

<Are there rebuild/repair kits for the carbs?>

Check parts for your motor at:

<http://www.tanaka-usa.com/pdf/dpl/outboards/TOB-300dpl.pdf>

<would the factory float that came with it pose an issue?>

Only if it won't float.

<I was able to gt it started for a few minutes, then it just flat out died. I guess I'll check the spark plug again too.>

You need to find out why it's dying. Is it ignition failure? Too much fuel? Too little fuel? When it dies pull the plug to see if it's wet or dry.

Pull the fuel line off at the carb, stick it into a glass container and turn on the petcock. You should have a constant, steady stream of fuel flowing from the tank. If it is a fuel problem this will tell you where to look. Plenty of fuel to carb then the problem is in the carb. Insufficient flow then the problem is upstream of the carb.

Frankly I suspect that the carb jets are still partially blocked with varnish---it can be very difficult to get them really clean without overnight soaking in lacquer thinner or an hour or two in a bucket of real carb cleaner.

 

[Jhaas]

Re: GameFisher 3.0 HP (Tanaka TOB-300) Startup Prob

Ok. I will tear it down from the gas tank to the carb and do it again. I'll let em soak all night this time.

 

[Jhaas]

Re: GameFisher 3.0 HP (Tanaka TOB-300) Startup Prob

I think I got it fixed! First of all a big thanks to Tom for kicking my brain into gear! I had to download the Tanaka PDF and do some more digging into the issue. I know this may sound like common sense and doesn't need posting. However, I searched many a forums for the answer to this and didn't find a whole lot. So I am going to post what I did to resolve the problem and a few extras that I have seen.

First download the Tanaka PDF for your engine. Tom already has a link in this post if you need it.

Basically, using then manual, I tore the whole thing down from then gas tank to the carb, fuel lines and all. I knew I had new gas in it, but I drained the gas out of it into a separate can in case the tank was contaminated with something I didn't see. I also removed the spark plug to check it out. Two things to note that I think contributed to my problem.

1. Fouled up spark plug from an incorrect oil/gas mix
2. I did see some contaminants in the fuel tank

I took apart the petcock assembly as well as everything on the carb itself (Read the manual), and placed them in a soultion of "goof off". I soaked everything for two hours. I used a small dremel bit that had fine sand paper on it by hand to clean the jets. I used a needle to clean the main jet. I soaked the parts for another 30 minutes after that. Then repeated the process.

I took the gas tank out and hosed it out real good and set it to the side to dry. Then sprayed some carb cleaner in there to dry up any residual moisture. While waiting on the carb soak I celaned up the spark plug with carb cleaner and then used fine sand paper to clean up the rest.

I had already purchased new fuel line to put on so I pitched the other. The new fuel line is transparent. Now one thing the check with the petcock assembly is the leather sleeve. I noticed little pieces falling off into the sediment bowl. I took great care in cleaning it and tried to buff out a little where the leather was coming off. The leather was coming off when the pet **** was turned so I had to spend some time with it.

I also had to clean the wire filter that attached to the sediment bowl. Make sure your seat it and clean it well. I put everything back together once I was happy with it and put some clean gas with the proper oil/gas ratio in it and took it out to the old water barrel for another shot.

The engine started up on the second crank and ran like a top. I shut it off and started it back up several times without any issues. Even adjusted the idle while I was out there. So it looks like the problem is resolved.

 

[Tom @ Buzzard Bluff]

Re: GameFisher 3.0 HP (Tanaka TOB-300) Startup Prob

[QUOTE
The engine started up on the second crank and ran like a top. I shut it off and started it back up several times without any issues. Even adjusted the idle while I was out there. So it looks like the problem is resolved.[/QUOTE]

Congratulations! You are now a fuel system 'expert'!

Feels good doesn't it?

From henceforth drain the ENTIRE fuel system unless you intend to run it again within a very few days. The garbage called 'gasoline' these days is 'the Spawn of the Devil' in small engines. If there's anywhere nearby to buy the 'real thing' it will last for years with .4 OZ. of Marvel Mystery Oil added per gallon as a preservative.

 

[mrcrabs]

Re: GameFisher 3.0 HP (Tanaka TOB-300) Startup Prob

Congratulations! You are now a fuel system 'expert'!

Tom's the expert, he knows his tanakys durn glorified weed eaters...be careful and don't get burned, they get hot.