First Post-Winter Ride: Stuttering Outboard

[dickiej]

I was always taught to fill the tank and put in fuel stabilizer when winterizing...

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by dickiej

I was always taught to fill the tank and put in fuel stabilizer when winterizing...

Me, too. If I remember correctly, we'd had a nice last day and went over to Wolfeboro and when we got back to the marina the fuel dock was closed. That's the only explanation for leaving it so low. All our fuel is treated, though, as it's purchased from marinas.

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[fatlazyless]

Go splurge on a $3.45 bottle of HEET Water Remover & Injector Cleaner and your engine will thank you for it.

[DesertDweller]

Couple of thoughts/recommendations.

First, as I recall you were likely having battery issues last year. Batteries/battery issues don't get better with age and if you are running with a single battery set up (which I recall you are) you are tempting fate. Marina's are so busy this time of year "checking the battery system" might be a relative term.

Second, do you have a water fuel separator? If not, I would recommend getting one. If so, did they change it as part of the winterization process?

Third, I agree with the other posts that it's best to store the boat with as much fuel as possible to avoid condensation to the extent possible.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by DesertDweller

Couple of thoughts/recommendations.

First, as I recall you were likely having battery issues last year. Batteries/battery issues don't get better with age and if you are running with a single battery set up (which I recall you are) you are tempting fate. Marina's are so busy this time of year "checking the battery system" might be a relative term.

Second, do you have a water fuel separator? If not, I would recommend getting one. If so, did they change it as part of the winterization process?

Third, I agree with the other posts that it's best to store the boat with as much fuel as possible to avoid condensation to the extent possible.

My battery has always started the motor without a problem—even when it was stalling when putting the trim down—but we're going into the 6th season with it, so I'm just gonna change it out proactively. Thoughts on brand?

Sam's this week ($20 off special): Duracell dual purpose = $55 or starting = $60

Interstate (what was in there): $135

Everstart (WalMart): $70



Also, we don't have a fuel separator—fuel guy at Ambrose Cove looked and suggested it as well. Any idea on cost for that?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[8gv]

I added a fuel/water separator to my center console boat.

The link to the unit I installed is below.

You may need to source the appropriate size fittings for your size fuel hose.

As always, use stainless steel through bolts to mount it.

I suggest that you follow the current path of the fuel hose and mount the filter receptacle in that path.

Remember to allow enough vertical clearance below the filter to allow you to remove it easily.

A little extra room will allow you to slide a cut off 1 gallon jug bottom under it to prevent spills while removing.

Walmart and Parafunalia often carry the replacement filters.

You can change it yearly or dump it out and reuse it until it gets rusty.

https://www.easternmarine.com/quicks...r-kit-802893q4


Oh, and Walmart for the battery but do add a solar charger!


EDIT:
My application was a 50 hp two stroke. You may want to call Mercury to verify that this filter has adequate flow for your 150 hp motor.

[Blue Thunder]

Think,
On the battery, I will suggest the EverStart marine battery from Walmart. I’ve tried them all over the years, and the EverStart has outperformed them all.
Grab a can of SeaFoam Fuel treatment while you’re there and dump it in the fuel tank. Good luck straightening it out.

BT

[swnoel]

Originally Posted by Blue Thunder

Think,
On the battery, I will suggest the EverStart marine battery from Walmart. I’ve tried them all over the years, and the EverStart has outperformed them all.
Grab a can of SeaFoam Fuel treatment while you’re there and dump it in the fuel tank. Good luck straightening it out.

BT

I agree...

[LIforrelaxin]

So 1st don't get overly concerned yet. The boat just came out of storage. 2nd the Marina should have treated the case in the tank appropriately, but as mentioned condensation can happen....

You mentioned you have filled the tank, I would run that tank through, as long as your not having any trouble getting to WOT. it is likely what you are experiencing will go away. It has been a cold damp spring thus far, something Outboards notoriously don't like.

Now if you are on your sixth season with the boat, it is likely a good time to run something like Gum-out through the system... Also regardless of manufacture recommendations new plugs should be in the plan... (although before doing the plugs I would run through this first tank of gas).....

Now water separating filters are mentioned, here while I agree they can help, they generally aren't needed if you are running you boat enough. Having said that, since the newer models of pontoons, like to put the gas tank down in the center tube, I believe adding one, could be a good idea.... however they themselves can cause additional problems.....

Anyways that is it for now... hopefully your issue will not put a damper on your summer.

[thinkxingu]

Originally Posted by LIforrelaxin

So 1st don't get overly concerned yet. The boat just came out of storage. 2nd the Marina should have treated the case in the tank appropriately, but as mentioned condensation can happen....

You mentioned you have filled the tank, I would run that tank through, as long as your not having any trouble getting to WOT. it is likely what you are experiencing will go away. It has been a cold damp spring thus far, something Outboards notoriously don't like.

Now if you are on your sixth season with the boat, it is likely a good time to run something like Gum-out through the system... Also regardless of manufacture recommendations new plugs should be in the plan... (although before doing the plugs I would run through this first tank of gas).....

Now water separating filters are mentioned, here while I agree they can help, they generally aren't needed if you are running you boat enough. Having said that, since the newer models of pontoons, like to put the gas tank down in the center tube, I believe adding one, could be a good idea.... however they themselves can cause additional problems.....

Anyways that is it for now... hopefully your issue will not put a damper on your summer.

Thanks for the reassurance—it was so weird because every other year has been perfect.

Gumout = Sea Foam? A quick search found that the former may be better when taking things apart whereas the latter might be better in fuel treatment? I've also used Techron in my cars in the past. Thoughts?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

[MotorHead]

I use StarTron both on See Doo and Cobalt, not sure if one brand is any better then other. I heard you can not mix Startron and SeaFoam and you have to wait until the tank is empty to go from one to another.

Any comments ?

[LIforrelaxin]

Originally Posted by thinkxingu

Thanks for the reassurance—it was so weird because every other year has been perfect.

Gumout = Sea Foam? A quick search found that the former may be better when taking things apart whereas the latter might be better in fuel treatment? I've also used Techron in my cars in the past. Thoughts?

Sent from my SM-G950U using Winnipesaukee Forum mobile app

I have no experience with SeaFoam............ I have used Gumout, for years, both in my boats and my cars, with excellent success....

When you look at fuel additives, Seafoam, Star Tron, Sta-bil are all marketed to help stop phase separation of ethanol fuels...... As an adder the do tend to help keep gum deposits at bay.....

Gumout however doesn't do anything for phase separation, it is a detergent to clean carbs and injectors........Techron is in this same category.....

Anyways just rambling, I have a felling once you get to your second tank of gas, most of what you are dealing with will go away....

Personally for the last 11-12 years, I have run Stabil Marine.... I add it in every tank of gas..... I have had no problems (knocking on wood)..... at winterization time, I do believe my Mechanic drops in some Seafoam.... and thus in the spring we have very little problem, except the need for a tune up every 2-3 years....

[Dave R]

Originally Posted by fatlazyless

Go splurge on a $3.45 bottle of HEET Water Remover & Injector Cleaner and your engine will thank you for it.

Adding a little bottle of alcohol to a tank of gasoline that is already 10% alcohol is not going to do much, IMO. Fresh gas would probably be a better plan.