Smoke and stalling issues

JoshOnt

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 12, 2013
Messages
487
I noticed yesterday what I thought was smoke coming out on my 77 85 hp (I think it is 77) it was not a blue smoke like too rich for oil I was wondering if that could be just exhaust or what since I didn't see it all of the time. I saw it and had no idea what it was but after maybe 5 min of driving back to dock it went away and didn't come back.

So first run of the day that boat liked to start cold at 3/4 fast idle (little handle on the controls) and start warm at 1/4.Well near the end after the smoke it was only starting at 1/2 to 3/4 fast idle. Also ran into the issue when I would be i N or just above. It did not do this before I went out for the second trip of the day. Any ideas on what these issues might be would be great as I am clueless on what they might be or how to fix them.
 

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,680
Gee, I am not sure I understand your post. What color was the smoke? White is water, blue is oil, grey is gasoline. Grey would be unusual, as motor has premixed fuel .
 

JoshOnt

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 12, 2013
Messages
487
Gee, I am not sure I understand your post. What color was the smoke? White is water, blue is oil, grey is gasoline. Grey would be unusual, as motor has premixed fuel .
I really could not tell you but now saying water causes it maybe some rain got in the gas/oil jug as I was topping up the tank before we headed out a second time. Would that cause it to only smoke for a few minutes?
 

scamp12

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Aug 24, 2015
Messages
31
Water in gas/mix will sure make it run bad . If you let it site long enough then you will have starting an running problems . that water sinks to the bottom and over a short period. Of time you will have gell in the fuel bowls. And the tank if low enough. Ethanol. Loves to attract water .

My friend had a bike and he was having problems getting it running . Well after pulling the carbs they were totally. Filled with gel . Gas tank had water in it . Well he was leaving his gas pales out side . Filled them with water
 

JoshOnt

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 12, 2013
Messages
487
Water in gas/mix will sure make it run bad . If you let it site long enough then you will have starting an running problems . that water sinks to the bottom and over a short period. Of time you will have gell in the fuel bowls. And the tank if low enough. Ethanol. Loves to attract water .

My friend had a bike and he was having problems getting it running . Well after pulling the carbs they were totally. Filled with gel . Gas tank had water in it . Well he was leaving his gas pales out side . Filled them with water
It was less than 5 min in a mist rain so I think I should be safe? Is there anything easy I can do to help fix the issue?
 
Last edited:

Chris1956

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Mar 25, 2004
Messages
28,680
Dry Gas is not recommended for 2 cycle motors, as the isopropanol is bad for them. Use something with ethanol.
 

JoshOnt

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Aug 12, 2013
Messages
487
Dry Gas is not recommended for 2 cycle motors, as the isopropanol is bad for them. Use something with ethanol.
I use regular that you get for your car mixed with oil so I have no idea what you're talking about. I do know the gas I use has ethanol in it.
 

DavidMoore

Petty Officer 2nd Class
Joined
Jun 2, 2015
Messages
183
That regular fuel you use mixed with 2 stroke oil will do you just fine.


But like you I am clueless because I don't understand the symptoms you are describing. I'd love to try and help you so:


Firstly I doubt you have water in the tank / carbs. I think if you did you would not get your engine to start let alone smoke.
Want to be sure drain your carb bowls and run from a separate clean and fresh fuel supply, premixed if you don't have autolube. If that solves the problem you got bad fuel


White smoke would be most likely your cooling water leaking into your cylinders, quick way to check is to pull the plugs, if one of them is all clean and new looking then likely there is water entering that cylinder turning to steam and cleaning everything. This is the one case where nice and clean is not a good thing.


Basic fault finding.

Have your compression checked, bad values there is not much point doing any further trouble shooting until it's fixed, if it's worth fixing.

Good values, check for a nice clean and bright spark from the plugs.

Good compression and nice clean spark, problem is most likely fuel related. Check all fuel connections from the pick up in the tank all the way to the engine are nice and tight, check the fuel filter and strainer in the fuel tank is nice and clean. Run your hand down the fuel pipes, if you have a nice black rubbery stripe on your hand replace the fuel pipes because they are failing and, if there not the problem now, they soon will be.

If the fuel system is nice and tight and clean and the pipes are in good condition, I would think the carbs need to be cleaned and a link and synch done. You could try a can of seafoam first. I've heard it performs wonders but never used it myself, I can't even buy it in Europe so I'm forced into doing things the old fashioned way.

Hope this has helped even if just a little
 
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