Avg Time Between Carb Rebuilds

FreeBeeTony

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May 15, 2002
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3,991
I have had my carb (purchased new) about 10yrs.
Today after a semi hard run (~3800RPM) it was surging at ~1200RPM.
I used Don's trick of reving the engine to about 3K, closing the choke by hand and opening the throttle to create max vacuum.
I also used about a can of Gum-Out.......

But.......how long between rebuilds.......if the above worked I'll leave it alone.
 

Scott Danforth

Grumpy Vintage Moderator still playing with boats
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Jul 23, 2011
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depends on many many factors from how long the motor sits between uses to the quality of fuel, the maintenance history of the boat, the maintenance of the tanks where you buy fuel, etc.

it doesnt take much to plug up idle circuits, and they generally do not clean themselves.

with that stated, I have a chainsaw I pull apart once every 3 years. it sits for up to 9 months, and the ethanol attempts to turn back into corn between uses.
 

HT32BSX115

Supreme Mariner
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Dec 8, 2005
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10,083
Howdy,


I thought the carburetor I removed from my previous engine (OMC 460) had a problem when I had running issues.

(I bought the 1987 boat in 2005 from my brother who bought it new)

It would sit for 8 or 9 months every year before being used in the Summer.

I pulled the carb apart in 2005 to "rebuild" using a NAPA/Sierra Kit. So it was something like 18 years old and ran unleaded gasoline and California "Reformulated" gasoline pretty much all it's life........

I know he used STABIL once in a while but not every year and not the last few years he had it....... and it had probably 30 gallons (44 gallon tank) of 2 year old gas in it when I got it. (the first thing I did was replace the gasoline with fresh but it made no difference)

When I got the carb disassembled, the only thing "wrong" with it was the gaskets I destroyed getting it apart. It was absolutely Pristine inside.

There's probably no "hard & fast" rule...........


ymmv......


Rick
 

FreeBeeTony

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May 15, 2002
Messages
3,991
Don S lives.......

After using his technique of scavenging the carb its running great.
After the above procedure I took the boat out and ran it like I stole it (according to Bondo)........
Now idles great.

Long live the King (Don S).........
 

alldodge

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Change your filters often and during winterization, try your best to run the crab out of gas so there is nothing to turn to slug later
 

DeepBlue2010

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Aug 19, 2010
Messages
1,305
Don S lives.......

After using his technique of scavenging the carb its running great.
After the above procedure I took the boat out and ran it like I stole it (according to Bondo)........
Now idles great.

Long live the King (Don S).........

I am not aware of this technique from Don S (GRHS) would someone please post a link to it or tell me where to find it
 

Bondo

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Apr 17, 2002
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I am not aware of this technique from Don S (GRHS) would someone please post a link to it or tell me where to find it

Ayuh,..... Tony just explained it in his 1st post,....

To answer yer original question Tony,....

A carb rebuild last til ya get more Crud into it,....

Could be 1st crank, or could be a lifetime,...... ;)

I too, change my fuel filters regularly, probably like most boaters throw away perfectly good ignition coils,...... :D
DonS 'n I had many conversations 'bout findin' coils in marina dumpsters,...... ;)
 
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