Unwell motor after old fuel + water...remedies??

[Wiggy]

Ok, I did the most stupid thing, took some old petrol minimum two months old that had sat outside in the rain into my fuel tank.<br /><br />After about 2 mins of normal, lovely driving my motor coughed a little and died. I tried starting numerous times, it fired up and immediately died.<br /><br />Now I've emptied the fuel tank and put fresh fuel in it and primed the fuel line then tried starting the motor. Yesterday it fired up after a while and ran bad for a bit but then got better, so I thought all was fine.<br /><br />Today the motor won't even fire up, coughed a bit on half choke and then the pistons seemed to lock. A gentle pull on the cord then I could have another pull, same thing happened.<br /><br />What can be the problem/solution?? The motor was working beautifully before my act of stupidity!<br /><br />The motor is a '79 Mercury 20hp thunderbolt igniton.

 

[joblo33]

Re: Unwell motor after old fuel + water...remedies??

Drain the carb with the brass plug on the bottom of the bowl and see if it clears up. If not you might need to clean the carb. Also check to see if it fouled your spark plugs.<br />Eric

 

[Wiggy]

Re: Unwell motor after old fuel + water...remedies??

Today I took out the spark plugs that had a little 'black stuff' on them and cleaned them. Then I took off the carb, emptied it of fuel and cleaned the fuel screen and needles, but did not dismantle the whole carb.<br /><br />Still not starting. Did a spark check, good clean strong sparks on both plugs, on both wires.<br /><br />As a sheer co-incidence, I'm using Shell v-power unleaded 95. This I've never used before in the motor until after the water/old fuel thingy. Could this have an affect?

 

[Laotzu]

Re: Unwell motor after old fuel + water...remedies??

Is there a possibility that some of the fouled gas is still in the line and bulb fuel filter, etc? If there is still some water there, you should be able to see little droplets of water on the plugs. A gas/water filter really prevents water from getting to the carbs. Suggest you get one if you don't have.<br /><br />Jerry

 

[joblo33]

Re: Unwell motor after old fuel + water...remedies??

Will it fire if you pour some gas in the carb throat, choke it, and crank?<br />Eric

 

[Wiggy]

Re: Unwell motor after old fuel + water...remedies??

Fully emptied the fuel tank and lines, then put in new normal 95 unleaded fuel. No start.<br /><br />Tried pouring a little petrol into the cylinders. No start.<br /><br />Tried swapping spark plugs. No start.<br /><br />I did see to small bubbles/droplets on the spark plugs. Could this be water?<br /><br />Before putting fuel into the cylinders through the plugs hole I noticed the plugs were wet with fuel.<br /><br />Any ideas, as I'm stumped and frustrated.

 

[Wiggy]

Re: Unwell motor after old fuel + water...remedies??

Tried starting with starting spray/gas being sprayed into the carb throat. The motor coughed and spluttered with the cylinders locking (sudden stop of the pull cord whilst trying to start). I gave up and now the motor's with the motor doctors!!<br /><br />Lets hope this helps.

 

[north40]

Re: Unwell motor after old fuel + water...remedies??

Did you have oil in your fuel?

 

[north40]

Re: Unwell motor after old fuel + water...remedies??

Also take out your plugs and try to pull. Cylinders may be flooded with water/fuel.

 

[joblo33]

Re: Unwell motor after old fuel + water...remedies??

Sounds like H20. Water doesn't compress so you wont be able to pull the cord.<br />Eric

 

[Wiggy]

Re: Unwell motor after old fuel + water...remedies??

I think it's a simple problem, but it's just finding that simple problem!<br /><br />The expert reckoned from my discription that it was a faulty ignition, but I questioned him about how the motor was perfect before the bad fuel. <br /><br />I feel that I haven't done a good enough job of clearing the water/bad fuel out of the cylinders, but we'll see.

 

[Wiggy]

Re: Unwell motor after old fuel + water...remedies??

Found the problem......Woohoo!!<br /><br />The motor doctor said it was an open wire in the cut off switch/button. The live or positive wire had been touching the block (thus earthing) and then the motor doesn't start!<br /><br />I told you it was something simple ;o)

 

[Laotzu]

Re: Unwell motor after old fuel + water...remedies??

Wiggy, If they were clear, the drops you saw were probably water. Maybe some residual water from all the machinations you went through or was just left over in the fouled tank.<br /><br />If you dont have a water/fuel filter, I'd get one. Solves the water in gas problem 100%.<br /><br />Glad you got it fixed.<br /><br />Jerry