1996 115 Looper will only stay running with choke

[ksubigbuck]

I need help from the iboats brain-trust. I just rebuilt the carbs on this non-running motor and now it starts right up but will only stay running for a few seconds before it dies. I can keep it running by continuing to push the key in to choke it. Also, I'm doing all of this from a portable fuel tank to eliminate the on-board tank and fuel lines as a problem. Fuel filter is clear.

It smokes like crazy and I am wondering if the smoke and the dying out is because I'm using premix in my portable tank, and the VRO is also pumping oil...so it's getting double the oil. If so, can I just clamp off the oil supply line while I'm running on the pre mixed 1gal tank? Any help is appreciated.

KSU

 

[boobie]

When you cleaned the carbs, did you make sure the high speed jets in the carb float bowls were clean ????

 

[racerone]

Pushing the key in puts fuel into the motor.-----This fuel bypasses the carburetors.----That strongly suggests that carburetors need attention.

 

[ksubigbuck]

When you cleaned the carbs, did you make sure the high speed jets in the carb float bowls were clean ????

Yes, I fully cleaned all jets and orifices.

 

[ksubigbuck]

Pushing the key in puts fuel into the motor.-----This fuel bypasses the carburetors.----That strongly suggests that carburetors need attention.

Hmmm. That would surprise me. I cleaned them spotlessly and replaced all gaskets, o-rings, floats, needles, and bowls (warped). It is possible I missed something, but there is 0% chance I missed something on all 4 carbs.

I also soaked and cleaned the throttle bodies and associated jets.

 

[racerone]

Look into what the primer does and how it works !

 

[ksubigbuck]

Look into what the primer does and how it works !

I said choke in my original post, but I meant primer. The primer solenoid is working per my ohm meter. Also, I can hear it click and it does help keep the motor running. Is there something additional that it does I should look into.

 

[Rustywrench]

Drain your carburetor bowls thru the front brass plug. Just to see what is in the bowls? You mention is is smoking heavily. The engine will try to run on the primer only if your carbs were full of oil/water. Carburetors can't meter that. Once drained you can get a fresh start. Just an idea since you are running from a remote can?

 

[ksubigbuck]

Update:

Held the primer in for a couple minutes and after it warmed up it would stay running at "idle"...but the idle is at 1500 rpm on muffs, and it constantly surges between 1500 and 2100 rpm's. It is smoking much less now.

I also hooked up clear tubing in place of the oil line to confirm the VRO system is working...it is definitely pulling oil in, so that appears to be working.

I'm hoping its just needle adjustments causing the high idle, and surging idle.

Thanks,
KSU

 

[racerone]

The primer puts fuel into the motor.----This fuel basically bypasses the carburetors.-----This extra fuel does NOT go into the carburetor bowls !!

 

[Lightwin 3]

High idle?

Cables adjusted correctly?

Air leak behind one of the carbs?

 

[Tim Frank]

Is his motor new to you and if so has it ever run properly for you?

 

[bob johnson]

by keeping the motor running when you push in the primer, proves... the primer is working..... sounds like you are not getting fuel THROUGH the carbs..or NOT ENOUGH.....maybe the float is stuck. you need TO SET the float height...its more than just putting the parts in...and since its new to yopu.... you really dont know much about the motor....but it seems the fuel supply to the fuel bracket assy....is there.... did you set the idle mixtures?..usually they are cleaned and inspected... make sure they are smooth.. then set all the way in and then back out 5 or 7 turns, depending on the year.... did you back yours out??? step by step...good luck

 

[ksubigbuck]

Is his motor new to you and if so has it ever run properly for you?

It is new to me and hadn't been run for 2 years. I cleaned and rebuilt carbs and fuel system, and have a new water pump ready to go on when I have a couple spare hours to do it.

 

[ksubigbuck]

by keeping the motor running when you push in the primer, proves... the primer is working..... sounds like you are not getting fuel THROUGH the carbs..or NOT ENOUGH.....maybe the float is stuck. you need TO SET the float height...its more than just putting the parts in...and since its new to yopu.... you really dont know much about the motor....but it seems the fuel supply to the fuel bracket assy....is there.... did you set the idle mixtures?..usually they are cleaned and inspected... make sure they are smooth.. then set all the way in and then back out 5 or 7 turns, depending on the year.... did you back yours out??? step by step...good luck

I did set the float height. IIRC it was about 1/8th of an inch above the bowl mating surface with the carb held upside-down. Could be a stuck float, but I doubt it...it is all new parts in the carbs...floats, hinges, needles, orifices, seals, etc.

I set the idle mixtures to the number of turns out recommended by my factory manual, I think it was 6.5 turns out, but I can't really remember. I'm thinking my next step is to gradually start turning them in to see if that helps. I'm still concerned about the surging, though. Seems to me like an air leak somewhere.