Old gas?

[tloc1000]

About a month ago I cleaned the carbs TJ40ESELR, replaced the external fuel lines, cleaned out the gas tank, and put in a new fuel filter. The motor was running great! Last weekend me and my daughter went out and fished and ran around the lake with no problems. I went to the lake this morning and she wouldn't even idle. To keep the engine running you had to keep it throttled up and she would die when you put it in gear. Finally got it to idle a little but then would die after running rough for about 15 seconds. The gas is about 3 weeks old without stabilizer and it's been in the 100's. Could the gas have gone bad or do you think the carbs got gunk'd up?

 

[GA_Boater]

Gas won't go bad in 3 weeks, even E10. Check compression and spark as a place to start.

 

[MH Hawker]

you sucked up some thing in the carb

 

[boobie]

Check your gas for water.

 

[Tony T.]

Check your gas for water.

This is what I was thinking, possibly water contamination, I use stabilizer additive in pretty much everything for years, boat motors,lawn mower,etc.

Tony

 

[tloc1000]

Besides emptying the gas tank and adding fresh gas, do I need to add anything to get water out of the tank?

How do I keep water out?

 

[ondarvr]

Do you know if there's water in it yet?

 

[oldboat1]

Sample some in a jar. When it settles out, any water would be at the bottom.

I use Drygas in my inboard tank (along with stabilizer left in there when it was pulled by the marina.)

 

[clemsonfor]

Put some E10 fuel in it, it will suck up that water

 

[oldboat1]

^^^not sure about that -- ethanol vs. methanol thing..... Drigas or Heet, etc. contain methanol which combines with water to burn.

 

[82rude]

Be careful about using heet.I bought some for my snowmobile a couple ago and luckily i actually read the instructions before using.It specifically stated not for 2 stroke engines.

 

[tloc1000]

Do you know if there's water in it yet?

I put some in a jar and let it set for a few hours. I didn't see any separation so I guess I will be taking the carbs off and cleaning. Luckily they are very easy to access.

 

[clemsonfor]

Be careful about using heet.I bought some for my snowmobile a couple ago and luckily i actually read the instructions before using.It specifically stated not for 2 stroke engines.

This is correct you should not use any alcohol products in a 2 stroke. I was suprised when I read that post too!!! It raises cylinder temperature from increased combustion temps and you can melt your motor down or just score the pistons and cylinders.

 

[tloc1000]

I took the carbs off and cleaned. She started but only idled for a few seconds. It seems like I have an air leak in the fuel system. When I went to pump up the fuel line, the bulb sometimes seemed to work (the bulb got hard) and sometimes I would squeeze and squeeze and it wouldn't get hard. There was some fuel leaking out of the VRO unit where the fuel line enters the unit.

 

[oldboat1]

Bulb gets hard when carbs are primed (float valves closed). The VRO2 can be rebuilt, although kits are a little pricey, but your leak at the unit sounds more easily fixable.

I believe your carbs have idle needles, and adjusting those may be a key to keeping it running. Your manual probably calls for about 3 turns open to start, but check. When up and running, the needles would be adjusted for smooth operation -- must go into gear at idle without stalling. Do adjustments running in the lake or in a test barrel, as some back pressure is needed.

 

[tloc1000]

Bulb gets hard when carbs are primed (float valves closed). The VRO2 can be rebuilt, although kits are a little pricey, but your leak at the unit sounds more easily fixable.

I believe your carbs have idle needles, and adjusting those may be a key to keeping it running. Your manual probably calls for about 3 turns open to start, but check. When up and running, the needles would be adjusted for smooth operation -- must go into gear at idle without stalling. Do adjustments running in the lake or in a test barrel, as some back pressure is needed.

I believe the idle needles are 1.5 turns out. That's what I had them on before the motor started acting up. I had cleaned and reset the carbs about a month ago and the motor was running like a champ. Took her out last weekend and she wouldn't idle.



I took the vro off but the connector from the fuel line in came off the unit. Is that supposed to work like that? I'm not sure if I broke it or not. If so, I believe that is where the leak is coming from.

 

[SnakeEater]

I have a similar question on this topic. I recently bought a jon boat. Fuel has been sitting in a plastic 6 gallon tank for 3 years. I assume I should trash the rubber line and bulb. But should I keep the tank. If so, how do I clean out the fuel tank. Yes. I have never owned a boat until just yesterday. Thanks

 

[ondarvr]

I have a similar question on this topic. I recently bought a jon boat. Fuel has been sitting in a plastic 6 gallon tank for 3 years. I assume I should trash the rubber line and bulb. But should I keep the tank. If so, how do I clean out the fuel tank. Yes. I have never owned a boat until just yesterday. Thanks

​You should start you own thread on this so that people don't get confused, but there's no need to throw any of it away, well except for the gas

 

[Tony T.]

I have a similar question on this topic. I recently bought a jon boat. Fuel has been sitting in a plastic 6 gallon tank for 3 years. I assume I should trash the rubber line and bulb. But should I keep the tank. If so, how do I clean out the fuel tank. Yes. I have never owned a boat until just yesterday. Thanks

Personally I have seen where the inner clear lining on a fuel line was coming apart due to this great gas we have these day's, so in my opinion when this happens it's trash. The tank you can pressure test and if it does not hold pressure you can simply replace the o-rings and gaskets, like me and a friend did here lately with a couple used tanks that had old gas in them.

Tony

Tony

 

[ondarvr]

There is cheap junk fuel line out there, some types are known for their short life span, others last for decades, a quick inspection tells the story, no need to chuck it out if it's good.