Re: fuel life question
On my last boat in 1983, it had 2 alum. fuel tanks. When I first bought it from the previous owner, I found out that he only used fuel from one side and left the other side filled up and not use it. Thought I have a full tank of usuable fuel but it was a big mistake. Switch the pet **** over to use the other side and start the outboard at home and the engine came alive and then sputter and died about 1 minute later. Could not start the engine after that. Checked everything and it looks fine and then check the fuel. The fuel smell funny and siphon out alittle and the could of the fuel was like darkish brown with little bits of cork like substance floating on top. What happened was that the fuel was not used for so long it turned into varnish.<br /><br />Spend a long time getting the whole system flush out the bad fuel. Has the clean the fuel line a few time and filter at the fuel intake by the motor. Took the fuel out and tried to clean it out but never seems to completely get rid of all the corks... Put a fuel filter halfway from the tank to the motor where it is easily accessible and change that out frequently. Carried a few spare filter when I went out boating and aletrnately switch from one tank to the other. Eventually got it as clean as it can be and sold the boat not too long after that.<br /><br />Lesson learned - always check the fuel by smell and sight after not using the boat for a long time.<br /><br /><br />-----------------------<br />Once beaten, twice shy!!
