Strong rich/gassy smell

[cocobonks]

Hey guys, I'm getting a rich/gassy smell in idle on my 454 carbed mercruisers. Is there air/fuel mixture adjustment screws on these carbs or do I have to open them up for possible rebuilds.

 

[Bondo]

Ayuh,... Which carb,..?? The older, say pre-early '90s were the Quadra-jets, 'n after are the Carter AFB/ Merc/ Weber carbs,... Either has adjustin' screws on the front,...

 

[alldodge]

If it was doing fine before and now your smelling gas, your carb is probably flooding or fuel pump is leaking

 

[cocobonks]

No leaks...rich/gassy smell is not coming from the engine compartment, rather out the exhaust pipes. The boat is a 94 with a carter carbs

 

[ondarvr]

If something changed, as in this just started recently, then there's likely more issues than it just being out of adjustment.

 

[cocobonks]

I don't know when it started, just bought the boat

 

[cocobonks]

I?m just trying to eliminate the obvious before getting into opening the carbs. Thanks for your replies I appreciate it.

 

[ondarvr]

In that case you never know, might be rebuild time just to get it out of the way.

 

[cocobonks]

In that case you never know, might be rebuild time just get it out of the way.

That's what I think I will end up doing...A few hundred bucks for rebuild kits is not a big deal, but since I just bought the boat and don't know if the previous owner messed with it I could try adjustment first.

 

[alldodge]

My pump and carb comment is IF the carb is flooding OR the pump diaphragm has ruptured and is pump the excess fuel thru the clear tube and down the carb. For either one of these you would see fuel dripping down the throat of the carb. There would be no smell in the engine compartment

 

[cocobonks]

My pump and carb comment is IF the carb is flooding OR the pump diaphragm has ruptured and is pump the excess fuel thru the clear tube and down the carb. For either one of these you would see fuel dripping down the throat of the carb. There would be no smell in the engine compartment

That is something I had not thought about, will definitely look into that. Thanks!