Ethanol damage is finally here...
Posted: Mon Jun 13, 2011 7:22 pm
For the last year I have had some real weird things happening to my boat motor. One day it would not start. One day it wouldn't get up on plane. Then it runs great for a few weeks. Then the really weird starting happening. It ran great on the open lake at 60 or so. It even ran good at 35. But as soon as I tried to put it on the trailer...it keeps dying. I go through everything I can think of. I removed the water separator/filter. I replaced the bulb. I even put the front of the boat against a dock one day and throttled up on it, it worked great. I started off in high trim, thinking it was the angle on the ramp....nope. So I decided to ask a Yamaha factory mechanic. He said it was probably the first signs of the carbs getting plugged up. First thing he asked was "How old is the boat" 1997 "Have you replaced the fuel lines? Nope "Bingo!" He told me to flush the fuel lines for now. I did that and a bunch of this 1/2" long black hair looking stuff came out. Once you touch it, it almost dissolves between your fingers. He said after I did that to rebuild the carbs and be sure to give them a good overnight soaking in Chemtool carb cleaner. Then he told me to replace the fuel hoses and be sure to clean the fuel diverter valve.
I did that. The black stuff was the inner liner of the fuel hose that had been eaten off by the ethanol in the gas.
I finished the carb job and decided to put a hose to the motor at the shop first, before I ran all the way up to the lake. I got the water going and set the choke to 1/4 rich, and hit the key. It fired on the first turn. I then took the boat to the lake and MAN! what a difference. The smoking is gone, the power is back, and it slides onto the trailer again.
So if you are having some quirky things going on with your motor, you might want to check the fuel hoses.
I shopped around a found that actually Ranger had the best price (If you can believe that!) for the fuel line; of $2.95 a foot. You will need about 15 feet. My 461 uses 3/8". This fuel line is referred to as "A1". It is also fire resistant. I have always recommended to guys to rent a hose crimper for these jobs. I have seen some of the screw type hose clamps work loose over the years. I rented my first one from NAPA. I think I paid $15 for 8 hours. I bought their clamps also.
It is not a tough job, but don't do like one guy did. He forgot the diverter and mis-measured the amount of hose he needed.
When doing a carb rebuild, I suggest you use OEM kits. Sierra and some of these other kits don't fit exactly right and the gaskets can leak or not seal at all. The OEM kits are more expensive, but the first time you tear a gasket and have your boat down another week or more waiting for the replacement, you will be kicking yourself.
Just some FYI from an old guy.
PS I know you have one question...How did the black stuff get thru the two filters? I cannot tell you. Probably Gremlins.
I did that. The black stuff was the inner liner of the fuel hose that had been eaten off by the ethanol in the gas.
I finished the carb job and decided to put a hose to the motor at the shop first, before I ran all the way up to the lake. I got the water going and set the choke to 1/4 rich, and hit the key. It fired on the first turn. I then took the boat to the lake and MAN! what a difference. The smoking is gone, the power is back, and it slides onto the trailer again.
So if you are having some quirky things going on with your motor, you might want to check the fuel hoses.
I shopped around a found that actually Ranger had the best price (If you can believe that!) for the fuel line; of $2.95 a foot. You will need about 15 feet. My 461 uses 3/8". This fuel line is referred to as "A1". It is also fire resistant. I have always recommended to guys to rent a hose crimper for these jobs. I have seen some of the screw type hose clamps work loose over the years. I rented my first one from NAPA. I think I paid $15 for 8 hours. I bought their clamps also.
It is not a tough job, but don't do like one guy did. He forgot the diverter and mis-measured the amount of hose he needed.
When doing a carb rebuild, I suggest you use OEM kits. Sierra and some of these other kits don't fit exactly right and the gaskets can leak or not seal at all. The OEM kits are more expensive, but the first time you tear a gasket and have your boat down another week or more waiting for the replacement, you will be kicking yourself.
Just some FYI from an old guy.
PS I know you have one question...How did the black stuff get thru the two filters? I cannot tell you. Probably Gremlins.
