115 "tower" leaking fuel.

bcboy13

Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2012
Messages
20
Hey there, I have a 1983 115 tower of power. While I was winterizing it I notice it was leaking an excessive amount of of fuel(gas+2stroke oil) down the starboard(right) side of the engine and leg. I know these engines are known for this but this is far more then I've seen before. I investigated and it is probably coming from the carbs somewhere or from the gasket underneath the ignition plate. I'm assuming this is the exhaust side? I'm not really sure. Before I go any further I want to just see if there is a common problem with these engines. It runs fantastic, 53mph the other day but I'm concerned for it being an environmental issue and a fire one. Plus I hate how everything is greasy and oily.
 

canoemang

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Apr 9, 2011
Messages
350
Re: 115 "tower" leaking fuel.

There is a collector plate at the bottom below the bottom carb.. it is inline with all 3, when the carbs have gas pour out the throat it collects it there then dumps out a tube on the side your referring to. If the tube does not exist it just pours it out..

It is either you trimmed it up to high and all 3 carbs dumped gas or you have a bad needles seats and or float setting.. if the gas is coming out of the front of the carbs..
 

JDusza

Ensign
Joined
Apr 21, 2009
Messages
973
Re: 115 "tower" leaking fuel.

Winterizing? Likely the carbs dumped gas per canoemang. During your process did you tilt up then down? Launch, tilt up? Home, tilt down? Run it, kill it, tilt it?
Clean up as much as you can and run the engine looking for fresh indicators.
If it's running "fantastic", doesn't seem likely to be whacked needle seats or floats.
J
 

bcboy13

Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2012
Messages
20
Re: 115 "tower" leaking fuel.

I did indeed clean it up some and checked. It's hard to see without taking every piece off. I thought the dribble tube came out the port side n
 

bcboy13

Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2012
Messages
20
Re: 115 "tower" leaking fuel.

here are some pictures. It is coming from the starboard side, to much to just be fuel dumping from the front of the carbs and the collector plate tube exist on the port side. Also found a cracked hose, not sure what it's for, maybe vaccum line?
iphone22 005.jpg
 

bcboy13

Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2012
Messages
20
Re: 115 "tower" leaking fuel.

sorry I only put up one picture, the rest were to big. How do I shrink them so I can post them?
 

quicktach

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Aug 24, 2012
Messages
394
Re: 115 "tower" leaking fuel.

Use FastStone Image Viewer ...a freebie. Check the clean, dry engine when you get it running in the Spring. Carb bolts loose ? Old gaskets between carbs and manifolds ? Does the bottom of the carb air intake before the butterflies have pooled gas resting on them anytime? Leaking fuel line connections ? Tight fuel line -> carb nipple connections [I use cable ties on them]. You've got to find the source first before doing too much more ..a good strong flashlight is an important tool.
 

sourbsted

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 15, 2006
Messages
216
Re: 115 "tower" leaking fuel.

Pump the bulb and look for any obvious leaks. I have had a few over years: Brass plug come loose, leaking through brass thread, rubbish stuck in needle seat..
Take your time get a torch in there, blow the carbs down with compressed air start looking again.
If the motors running good I'd look at the fuel lines, pump.
Cheers Jason
 

Grub54891

Admiral
Joined
Jun 17, 2012
Messages
6,142
Re: 115 "tower" leaking fuel.

Take your time get a torch in there,
He means a flashlight,do not use a torch!
Grub
 

sourbsted

Petty Officer 1st Class
Joined
Jul 15, 2006
Messages
216
Re: 115 "tower" leaking fuel.

Blow torch, bye bye inline.. If you have a smart phone, take the pics with the phone and download the "photobucket application" upload the pics straight to photobucket. copy the link and post in the forum thread. It's much easier these days :)
 
M

Maxz695

Guest
Re: 115 "tower" leaking fuel.

This hose I believe carries pooled unburt fuel that gathers in the bottom of the engine and recirculates it back into the manifold VIA that small hose. If that hose is as bad as it looks replace it and I think the massive oil leak will be fixed. It is not a vaccum hose. Just my opinion. I believe there are 2 hoses and one may Run to the quick disconnect fuel fitting. Either way it,s dumping fuel all over the engine. Again Replace it and the problem should be solved.
 
M

Maxz695

Guest
Re: 115 "tower" leaking fuel.

Open the picture in paint and or hit edit photo then resize until it fits within page and then save it. You will lose the original picture unless you make a copy to edit which is a good idea in case you mess up. View attachment 178194 This is a 40 HP I had a pic of to demonstrate the leak. View attachment 178195 Click the picture to blow it up
 

daveswaves

Ensign
Joined
Mar 22, 2002
Messages
901
Re: 115 "tower" leaking fuel.

This hose I believe carries pooled unburt fuel that gathers in the bottom of the engine and recirculates it back into the manifold VIA that small hose. If that hose is as bad as it looks replace it and I think the massive oil leak will be fixed. It is not a vaccum hose. Just my opinion. I believe there are 2 hoses and one may Run to the quick disconnect fuel fitting. Either way it,s dumping fuel all over the engine. Again Replace it and the problem should be solved.

The hose in your picture carries excess fuel from the bottom of the engine (lower bearing carrier) up to the upper bearing carrier. This is the only source of lubrication for the top bearing. Fix the hose as suggested.
 

emckelvy

Commander
Joined
Jan 16, 2004
Messages
2,506
Re: 115 "tower" leaking fuel.

Besides losing lube to the bearing, a cracked bleed hose can suck air and lean out your Tower of Power. It won't like that much! And they sure can dump a lot of oily gunk all over your nice clean powerhead.

Bleed hose is readily available and it's easy to replace, if I recall later models just use a small tie-wrap to fasten the hose at the barb. Be very careful with those teeny-weeny bleed hose barbs, they are pressed into the crankcase and quite delicate. Busting one of those would be Very Bad Indeed and cause a lot of work!

The part number for the hose is 32-99387 79 and it goes for less than $10.

HTH.........ed
 

bcboy13

Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2012
Messages
20
Re: 115 "tower" leaking fuel.

excellent news, thanks everyone!!!!! On a side note, how after do you replace the fuel pump on these motors?
 
M

Maxz695

Guest
Re: 115 "tower" leaking fuel.

View attachment 178400 The diaphram and gaskets are inside this housing remove the three bolts and be careful as there is a spring and a plastic peice in mine and yours may have it too. It keeps presure on the diaphram
 

bcboy13

Cadet
Joined
Jul 12, 2012
Messages
20
Re: 115 "tower" leaking fuel.

this solved the problem! thanks for every ones help very appreciated.
 
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