[Rhodes22-list] Ethanol problems

Sun Jun 18 21:08:01 EDT 2017

Hi Susan,
I also have a 6 hp Nissan and a 9.8 hp Tohatsu.   To clean out the idle
jet, remove a really tiny screw on top of the carb and clean the jet hole
with a really small wire (about the wire size of bread ties). This really
worked for me.  To help keep the gas good, do not use it after 2 seasons (1
season is probably better).  I also use Valvtect gas treatment, recommended
by Practical Sailor.  I keep the hose in a sealed plastic bag after use.
Always tighten the vent and gas cap to prevent moisture after use.  I think
we are all hoping for Isobutanol gas real soon.  It might be available in
Annapolis at the Annapolis Yacht Club, they have Gulf marine gas and might
have converted a tank. (2 Compromise Street,Annapolis, MD 21401
 Gil
Formerly S/V Closing Time

On Sun, Jun 18, 2017 at 8:52 PM, Susan Crane <scranevmd at verizon.net> wrote:

> Jerry,
>
> This is a very helpful and explains what is probably going on.  I have no
> problem with starting or running at mid to high speeds, only low speeds and
> idling.  I will buy some Seafoam and ethanol free gas as long as the
> station
> I found on line today actually has it.  They were closed on Sunday so I
> will
> be calling tomorrow.  Apparently Home Depot sells it as well but very
> pricey.  And I will start leaving the gas line disconnected after use.  I
> will report back on my success or not.  If the idle jet is plugged, how
> does
> one solve that other than replacing the carburetor again?  The mechanic at
> the marina has adjusted the idle higher, but then the motor revs so much
> when in neutral that I find it disconcerting.  And my speed, when in gear,
> is higher than I want to maneuver through the marina so I have to keep
> putting it in neutral just to slow down. I just want things to be easier!!!
>
> Susan
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Rhodes22-list [mailto:rhodes22-list-bounces at rhodes22.org] On Behalf
> Of
> cjlowe at sssnet.com
> Sent: Sunday, June 18, 2017 4:10 PM
> To: The Rhodes 22 Email List
> Subject: Re: [Rhodes22-list] Re: Ethanol problems
>
> Susan,
>
> What size (hp) Mercury do you have? I have the 6 hp Nissan, which is a
> rebranded tohatso same as Mercury. I have chased this problem,myself. The
> biggest problem with ethanol is it traps water and when you leave the boat
> for a week or so,the gas evaporates and the water sits around in a little
> pool and corrodes the pot metal that the carb is made of. This corrosion
> looks like little grains of salt, that do not dissolve the next time you
> come to the boat and hook up the fuel line. But they do get washed around
> the fuel bowl of the carb and tend to build up and plug the fuel jets of
> the
> carb. The fuel jets are what meters the gas to mix it with the air in the
> proper proportion. There are usually 3 jets, low /idle speed,mid speed,and
> high speed. the jets are very small holes that meter the fuel, idle jet is
> the smallest,and plugs the easiest. On two stroke motors, the jets are a
> lot
> bigger,they burn about twice the fuel as a four stroke motor. That and the
> fact that they mix oil with the gas, and that oil has additives in it for
> that purpose, they seldom plug up.
> What is your specific problem? Won't idle? Won't run good at all speeds?
> Hard starts ?
> At splash this year,my motor didn't want to idle and once I got up to half
> throttle,it start to choke up like it wasn't getting enough gas. I'd have
> to
> cut back to 1/4 throttle to keep it running. I changed the spark plug and
> the motor ran good,but still wouldn't idle. I adjusted the idle speed screw
> to make it run a little faster, and now it is dependable and won't stall
> even in gear. I believe that the idle jet is still plugged,but I have the
> idle set high enough that the mid range jet is making up for the plugged
> idle jet.
> If I were you ,i would change the spark plug first. It the cheapest thing
> to
> do $3.00 at auto zone. I use sea foam additive for the gas. Highly
> recommend
> non ethanol fuel with seafoam.
> I think you may be adding to your problems by reconnecting the fuel line
> after you let the carb run out of fuel at the end of the day. There is
> still
> pressure in the line, enough to fill the carb back up,so your running the
> carb dry was all for naught. Plus,when the tank warms up with tomarrows
> sun,it will put pressure on the fuel line once again filling it back up.
> Once you dock and tie up, disconnect the line and leave it disconnected
> until you go out again.
>
>  Something to chew on,
> Jerry Lowe
>
>
>
>
> > Hi Susan,
> >
> > There is no such thing as ethanol build up.  Instead, the ethanol is
> > probably dissolving your fuel line or even your gas tank.   Be sure your
> > fuel system is ethanol tolerant and the ethanol will actually keep
> > your engine clean.
> >
> > If you have a gas station that now sells ethanol free gas, that will
> > probably not last long.  With the new EPA mandate for 15% ethanol,
> > corn producers are going gang busters and the supply of ethanol will
> > soon be overwhelming.
> >
> > Rick
> >
> > On Sun, Jun 18, 2017 at 2:14 PM, Susan Crane <scranevmd at verizon.net>
> > wrote:
> >
> >> I posted a query last fall about the problems I was having with my
> >> Mercury outboard and received several very helpful replies that
> >> basically indicated that my problems with stalling and erratic idling
> >> were due to buildup of ethanol residue in the carburetor.  So I have
> >> tried unplugging the gas line and letting the motor run till it
> >> stalls, but I am still having problems.
> >> This is probably a silly question, but when one does that with the
> >> gas line, do you leave it unplugged until the next time you use it or
> >> do you reattach it after the motor stops, or does it matter?  Just in
> >> case anyone wonders, I have been adding fuel treatment to the gas.
> >> Next question:  I have found a local gas station which sells ethanol
> >> free gas and am going to switch to that.  Will using it help clean
> >> out the carburetor or do I need to have it cleaned or replaced?  I
> >> had a new carburetor put in last summer and the motor ran perfectly
> >> for a few outings before the problems recurred.
> >> Obviously, I know nothing about outboard motor functioning and the
> >> mechanic at my marina has been less than helpful.  He doesn't seem to
> >> believe that it is an ethanol issue.  I am trying to avoid buying a
> >> new outboard, but am at my wits end with this.  Just the stress of
> >> the motor stalling while docking takes some of the fun out of
> >> sailing.  Any help will be greatly appreciated.
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> Susan Crane
> >>
> >> s/v Whimsy
> >>
> >> Bohemia River
> >>
> >> Chesapeake Bay
> >>
> >> __________________________________________________
> >> To subscribe/unsubscribe go to http://www.rhodes22.org/
> >> mailman/listinfo/rhodes22-list
> >>
> >> For the list Charter and help with using the mailing list and
> >> archives go to http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> >> __________________________________________________
> >>
> > __________________________________________________
> > To subscribe/unsubscribe go to
> > http://www.rhodes22.org/mailman/listinfo/rhodes22-list
> >
> > For the list Charter and help with using the mailing list and archives
> > go to http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> > __________________________________________________
> >
>
>
> __________________________________________________
> To subscribe/unsubscribe go to
> http://www.rhodes22.org/mailman/listinfo/rhodes22-list
>
> For the list Charter and help with using the mailing list and archives go
> to
> http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> __________________________________________________
>
> __________________________________________________
> To subscribe/unsubscribe go to http://www.rhodes22.org/
> mailman/listinfo/rhodes22-list
>
> For the list Charter and help with using the mailing list and archives go
> to http://www.rhodes22.org/list
> __________________________________________________
>