clear gel in carbs and jets

[keylargo16]

I found out what why the engine was shutting down while warm. I pulled the carbs apart and found them basically clogged with a clear gel which I have no doubt is coming from bad gas in my 23 gallon gas tank buried beneath my center console. I have cleared out the carbs and jets etc, and the engine is now running fine. Is there any product I can put into the gas tank to get rid of this clear gel to break it down so it will pass through the engine, or is it possible it will be caught if I put a fuel water separator on? I am not planning on pulling up the console to get at the gas tank til the fall. I might just put two small portable tanks on the back of the boat. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

 

[sschefer]

Re: clear gel in carbs and jets

I found out what why the engine was shutting down while warm. I pulled the carbs apart and found them basically clogged with a clear gel which I have no doubt is coming from bad gas in my 23 gallon gas tank buried beneath my center console. I have cleared out the carbs and jets etc, and the engine is now running fine. Is there any product I can put into the gas tank to get rid of this clear gel to break it down so it will pass through the engine, or is it possible it will be caught if I put a fuel water separator on? I am not planning on pulling up the console to get at the gas tank til the fall. I might just put two small portable tanks on the back of the boat. Any ideas would be greatly appreciated.

If the filter on the fuel line isn't plugged then the problem is probably isolated to the carbs and the fuel that was left in them when it was stored. The gas in the main tank might not be in the best shape so for peace of mind I would drain it, dump a can of SeaFoam in and fill it back up. That's just what I would do maybe someone else has a better solution.

 

[j_martin]

Re: clear gel in carbs and jets

If the filter on the fuel line isn't plugged then the problem is probably isolated to the carbs and the fuel that was left in them when it was stored. The gas in the main tank might not be in the best shape so for peace of mind I would drain it, dump a can of SeaFoam in and fill it back up. That's just what I would do maybe someone else has a better solution.

You have water in the gas tank, or maybe alcohol/water seperation. Bacteria grow in that brew and make the sludge.

I'd put in a fuel/water separator (Racor 60 gph) and carry a spare filter. If there's a screen in the pickup tube in the tank, it could plug up with the same goop.

Best bet is to empty and clean the tank. Then run gas with no alcohol in it.

hope it helps
John

 

[keylargo16]

Re: clear gel in carbs and jets

appreciate the responses guys. I think I am going to buy two small portables and stick em in the back of the boat and run it off those til the late fall when I will take the original gas tank out. Its under the console and thats not a job I feel like doing right now, wasted enough fishing time cause of my stupidity. Let me ask one more ?. I winterized the engine with my buddy and I had at most a few gallons left in my tank last fall and being it was my first year owning a boat I asked my buddy if it was necessary to treat the gas and he said not to worry about it, just to fill it up come springtime. If I had put stabil or seafoam in the tank prior to the winter would that have prevented the water separation?

 

[j_martin]

Re: clear gel in carbs and jets

appreciate the responses guys. I think I am going to buy two small portables and stick em in the back of the boat and run it off those til the late fall when I will take the original gas tank out. Its under the console and thats not a job I feel like doing right now, wasted enough fishing time cause of my stupidity. Let me ask one more ?. I winterized the engine with my buddy and I had at most a few gallons left in my tank last fall and being it was my first year owning a boat I asked my buddy if it was necessary to treat the gas and he said not to worry about it, just to fill it up come springtime. If I had put stabil or seafoam in the tank prior to the winter would that have prevented the water separation?

Stabil for sure not. SeaFoam, probably not. Stabil deals with polymerization, or the penchant for gas to form varnishes over time. SeaFoam is mostly alcohol, with a witches brew of very efective exotic solvents.

The problem is water in the tank, and bacteria growing in the water. The water, and it's source (pourly installed vent, fuel source, condensation) is the problem.

I have a bass boat, and the highest spot I can put the fuel tank vent is only about 8 inches off the lake. I have a way to put my boat and trailer on a sidehill and get a siphon hose into the low spot. I do that a couple of times a year and pull off a quart or 2 of whatever is in that low spot just to forstall trouble. That and a fuel separator keep me going smoothly.

When I got the boat, I was dealing with the same chit you have to deal with.

hope it helps
John