Wasps in outboard

[Ken Martin]

I have a 15hp 1985 Force that when I started it in the tank fired right up but spit out about 50 wasps. It ran for about 20 seconds and I haven't been able to get it started since. I can blow bubbles from the spark plug hole through each cylinder out the exaust. The plugs after pulling a few time get a muddy stuff on them. I've pulled the carb and cannot see anything in the reeds so the nest is past that somewhere.<br /><br />Where do I start or should I just pull the lower end, side plate and head off.<br /><br />Thank you in advance.<br /><br />Ken Martin<br />President-Michigan Duck Hunters Assoc-Bluewater

 

[The Marine Doctor]

Re: Wasps in outboard

It is possible that you sucked some of the wasps into the engine.<br /><br />Remove the carb and have a peek at the reeds.<br /><br />TMD

 

[Ken Martin]

Re: Wasps in outboard

I pulled the carb and the reeds look fine. With the amount of wasps (50+) that came out of the exhaust they were somewhere past the reeds.<br /><br />Ken

 

[The Marine Doctor]

Re: Wasps in outboard

Remove the leg and look up inside for a nest.<br /><br />TMD

 

[Ken Martin]

Re: Wasps in outboard

I'm sorry I don't know what the "leg" is. Is that the lower unit? Could the nest be in the mixing chamber?<br /><br />Ken

 

[The Marine Doctor]

Re: Wasps in outboard

Sorry..remove the gearcase...and look up into the driveshaft housing.<br /><br />TMD

 

[jim dozier]

Re: Wasps in outboard

The wasps didn't get into the engine through the reeds, they came in through the exhaust. Most likely they set up shop and nested on the wall of the exhaust housing in the middle unit (above the lower unit with gearbox and below the power head). Some of them may have wandered, while they were shopping, up into the cylinder head and when you cranked it up you mushed 5 or 6 of them into a purree' and fouled 1 or more spark plugs. Clean or replace your spark plugs and turn the engine over a few times with the plugs out (make sure you are on the muffs) to blow out any residual organic debris and reinstall the plugs and go boating.<br /><br />The nest will likely burn up when you run it if they are paper wasps, or wash away if they are mud dawbers.