1998 120 hp Force leaking lower carb

[gregg a]

I recently started my Force 120 after sitting for the winter. (I fogged the engine prior to putting it up).
When I started it the motor was running rough and fuel was leaking out of the lower carburetor.
After reading several other peoples issues, I have purchased some Sea Foam and Sea Foam Deep Creep.
I am trying to avoid removing and rebuilding the carbs.
Is there any other fixes that might help remedy the situation?
Thanks in advance for any imput.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: 1998 120 hp Force leaking lower carb

Depends on where it is leaking from. If it's the fuel bowl gasket, you may be able to stop the leak by slightly tightening the 9/16th bolt that holds the fuel bowl on. Don't over tighten as you can damage the gasket. If it's leaking from the small metered vent opening on the side of the carb, most likely the needle valve is bad, or has some debris that is preventing it from closing all the way, or needs to have the float level adjusted.

 

[jerryjerry05]

Re: 1998 120 hp Force leaking lower carb

Leaking carb,usually means cleaning and making sure the needle/seat aren't stuck.
Usually fogging doesn't do anything for the carb.It should be drained for winter.

 

[gregg a]

Re: 1998 120 hp Force leaking lower carb

I was able to get a better look as to where the fuel was leaking from. I appears to be from the gasket around the bowl, in addition there is pink stuff hanging down from where the bowl and carb meet. If I remove the bolt form the bottom of the bowl will this allow me to remove and replace the gasket? Can I remove the bowl while it is in place or do I need to remove the whole unit? Also can i get the replacement gasket at an auto parts store or do I need to order it?

 

[riptorn]

Re: 1998 120 hp Force leaking lower carb

You should take the carb off. You wouldn't want to drop a part down inside the engine. You also may want to check out the float level. I had the same problem with my 85hp force last summer. Leaking out the bottom carb when shut off and trimmed up.

 

[86-vip]

Re: 1998 120 hp Force leaking lower carb

had my carbs leak out the bowl a couple of times the way i do it is just my way but i put a big mirror under bottom of carb and pull bottom bowl of anything that falls hits the mirror-when bowls are of i take brake cleaner with straw and spraw out needle and seat u can remove needle and seat this way to after some practice- imake my own gaskets out of gasket material they work about three years then i change them its hard at first but can be done-ive had my 125 since 1994 i also bypassed the fuel pump with a electric pump in 2001 best thing i ever did-no more sluggy take off-starts rite up went from 48 to 54 speed wise at 55ooo -just a note i left the primer bulb in fuel line and one squeeze with pump afer settin awhile hits first turn-even with the pump turned off the motor will still run at a fast idle all day -dont know why but it does.

 

[bman1bpm]

Re: 1998 120 hp Force leaking lower carb

Don't mean to hijak but what kind of electric pump did you use?

You can remove your fuel bowl with the carbs on the motor. Just unscrew the bolt that holds the bowl on. I've done it plenty of times. All there is inside there is a float, float pin, and the needle. If its falling out you've got some major problems on your hands! Have some rags to soak up split fuel.

You can remove the float and needle while carbs are on the motor, its a little tricky to put it back together. I actually used on of those telescopic magnets from the auto parts store, bent into an L shape. I use the magnet to stick the needle the float then you can put it in position and put the pin in. Makes the job pretty quick and painless.

 

[bman1bpm]

Re: 1998 120 hp Force leaking lower carb

oh and I'm sure you can cut your own gasket, if you're too lazy to do that the fuel bowl gaskets are about $1 from mercury, you'll also need to replace the gasket around the bolt, inside and outside the bowl. I think they're 50 cents or so.