First Post-Winter Ride: Stuttering Outboard

[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?

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[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?

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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....