Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos

Posted by rvschulz on 08/09/10 - 9:17 AM

last week i went fishing and the 25 Merc would not stay running for more than a minute or two after a really good run. i ended up having to pump the ball on the fuel line to get it home.

i decided i had some sort of a fuel line connection problem since the connectors did not seat very well to me, so i bought a new set from West Marine and went assemble them on the current fuel line. when i disconnected the line from the motor, it seemed pretty stiff. upon further review (cutting the line up and digging in it) it was full of fuel sludge.

i checked the line from the fuel tank to the connector - it was pumping fine. i disconnected the "on motor" fuel filter and cleaned it - it had a little dirt, but not enough to really bother. i removed the line from the filter to the carburetor and it was clear.

i am replacing the "clogged line" - who knows, it may have been pretty clogged for a while and it finally closed up. i have two questions since i have never fooled with this before.

1) the line from the tank to the connector is 3/8", the connection on the motor is 1/4" - can i just use a reducing connector or should the entire line be 1/4".

2) i think i should at least spray carb cleaner in the carb - any suggestions or anticipated problems and do you have a "pet product" ?

thanks.

Posted by moose on 08/09/10 - 10:47 AM

Question one is puzzling to me. I don't understand the two sizes of the line or the need for a reducer. I'd say just use the same size line that came off. As for the carb, I have had good success with Seafoam. You can mix a pretty strong mixture in a small or almost empty tank and run that thru the engine and then dilute per instructions on the can. There is also a spray application. If the line was the problem you may not need to clean the carb, but the seafoam can't hurt.
Mike

Posted by CES on 08/09/10 - 3:12 PM

X 2 Moose.

While the motor is not running, I'd spray some carb cleaner into each carb. Then I'd start the motor up too. Sea Foam is probably the best stuff I've ever used. I used it on our four wheelers, boats and motor cycles and it has never let us down.

Posted by DWinter on 08/09/10 - 5:50 PM

On a Merc I recommend Power tune sprayed into the bowls thru the fuel inlet (not the throat) on each carb. First, Take the drain screw out of each carb bowl and let it drain the gas from the bowl. This releases the needle valve from the seat , where as if there was gas still in there the float/needle may be seated. Second, pull the gas lines off each carb and spray Power tune into each carb's fuel inlet. Now check to see if you have Power Tune in the float bowls. (It should start to run out the drains on the bowl bottoms, if not completely clogged.) Put the drain screws back in each bowl, and continue to spray via the fuel input in each carb. You're trying to fill each bowl. When each carb has as much as you can get in, try to start it. Remember, you're trying to get the power tune circulated thru each carb without using fuel. This is why you leave each carb's fuel input hose off. Now, start the engine. Once it stalls, fill each carb bowl again thru the fuel input, reconnect each hose and let it sit ovenight. Once its had 24 hours soak time, double check each hose and connection, pump the primer ball on the fuel line and start. It may be a little rough and hard to start at first but once it's running it'll clear up. If it doesn't it may be rebuild time.

Edited by DWinter on 08/09/10 - 5:55 PM

Posted by MW on 08/10/10 - 7:20 AM

I use "Advance auto parts" on N. Grand Ave 1/2 blk south of ext. 20s S.S.P...It's open early, closes late, it's empty, "Sea Foam" is always on sale, you can also buy it there by the gallon to save. They also have a store locator on their site.