Forgot to add stabilizer on a quarter tank

[davidh86]

Well i have mercuiser 228 79" and was having carb peculation problems so i put an intake without the heat passages and put an electric choke, now im having really bad idle problems that seem like ignition timing problems (put a light on it and got it adjusted to spec). I kinda forgot to add stabilizer and only had a quarter tank of gas, which i know is a problem. Its making alot of white smoke when i run it, i don't know if its possibly water or the sea foam i added to try to stabilize it when i pulled it out of storage. Another issue i was have was a overheat at the end of last season which i assumed was a raw water pump, but when i replaced it the old one seemed fine. Then i ran it and richened up the carb and it seemed to run a little better and not get so hot on muffs in the drive way and stoped shutting down after a split second rev then back to idle. sorry it all seems a little random but im trying to cover all my bases lol.

 

[Walt T]

Re: Forgot to add stabilizer on a quarter tank

Sea foam may take awhile to burn off. Then pull the spark plugs and clean or replace them as sometimes they will foul. If the 1/4 tank sat just one winter it's probably okay, I would fill it with fresh gas or at least run it on a separate gas can to see if that helps. Sounds like you played with the carburetor by installing an electric choke. Make sure the pull off is working correctly and the choke flaps opens all the way when it's supposed to.

 

[camalot]

Re: Forgot to add stabilizer on a quarter tank

See if you can get hold of some "TERRACLEAN" it's simply incredible stuff.

TerraClean

 

[alldodge]

Re: Forgot to add stabilizer on a quarter tank

Well i have mercuiser 228 79" and was having carb peculation problems so i put an intake without the heat passages and put an electric choke, now im having really bad idle problems that seem like ignition timing problems (put a light on it and got it adjusted to spec). I kinda forgot to add stabilizer and only had a quarter tank of gas, which i know is a problem. Its making alot of white smoke when i run it, i don't know if its possibly water or the sea foam i added to try to stabilize it when i pulled it out of storage. Another issue i was have was a overheat at the end of last season which i assumed was a raw water pump, but when i replaced it the old one seemed fine. Then i ran it and richened up the carb and it seemed to run a little better and not get so hot on muffs in the drive way and stoped shutting down after a split second rev then back to idle. sorry it all seems a little random but im trying to cover all my bases lol.

Overheat, white smoke, I wouldn't bother with worring about the gas, I'm thinking head gasket. I would suggest a compression test

 

[Maclin]

Re: Forgot to add stabilizer on a quarter tank

The exhaust passages thru the intake under the plenum chamber are there for good reason. The heat under the plenum helps atomize the air/fuel mix, as raw fuel wants to cling to the metal walls without external persuasion. When it is blocked off the distribution of the fuel mix will not be as even to the individual cylinder ports.

 

[davidh86]

Re: Forgot to add stabilizer on a quarter tank

Thanks for the input guys, i ordered a new gasket to put back the old intake as a last resort. One thing i did notice is the boat idling better rite after a water separator replacement. I was just having alot of problems with fuel percolation and the center bolts coming loose on the old intake due to all the heat buildup. I did a pressure test last season and got about 90 psi on all the cylinders, ill do another one and see what happens, thanks for your time.

 

[HT32BSX115]

Re: Forgot to add stabilizer on a quarter tank

See if you can get hold of some "TERRACLEAN" it's simply incredible stuff.

TerraClean

Well i have mercuiser 228 79" and was having carb peculation problems so i put an intake without the heat passages and put an electric choke, now im having really bad idle problems that seem like ignition timing problems (put a light on it and got it adjusted to spec). I kinda forgot to add stabilizer and only had a quarter tank of gas, which i know is a problem.

Well, not really............ (and besides, "stabilization only happens BEFORE the gasoline supposedly deteriorates........adding a "stabilizer" after the fact does virtually nothing)

Yeah....there's just no such thing as "Mechanic in a can" for carbureted or other marine engines. Sea Foam and Owl-Snot and Whale-p is mostly naptha and mineral oil. (Marvel mystery Juice is Stoddard solvent, mineral oil and lard!! :facepalm: ) I just don't understand how some people think that stuff is good in gasoline.....

I have never used "Stabilizers" or other fuel-snake oils in any fuel I use........... and have never had any problems at all and I let the fuel sit in the tank from about SEPT until MAY or JUNE every year.......

All I do is run the tank down to about 1/4 or so, and park the boat. In June or so, I fill it up and go boating. That's it. (and I don't avoid the Evil E-10 either since NON-alcohol gasoline is too far away to waste my time and effort driving to obtain it)

Just be sure to change the oil(s) before winterization "layup" and change the fuel filter before you fill it up.

Your problem might be related to not enough air flow in the engine compartment. Make sure your bilge blower(s) are working good and try running them continuously to see if it lowers the engine compartment temps.

Its making alot of white smoke when i run it

If it is indeed "smoke" and you "fogged" it before winter, it might be residual oil burning off. If it's steam (which is sometimes more likely) you may have a cracked riser, manifold, and/or leaking riser gasket.

Regards,


Rick