83 mariner inline 6 115 question

[illinoisbassfishin]

I was going to bite on a skeeter boat but I decided why spend money on something when I already have something I like and does fine for the small lakes around here that I fish. I have an 84 ranger 330v 17' boat with the '83 115 mariner inline 6 and at first when I got the boat I had troubles because it had sat for so long without being ran. After a fuel pump rebuild, new primer bulb and fuel line, rebuild of the carbs, link and sync, a new stator and a good compression check it pretty much runs like a top now and will push the boat 45-47 mph by myself and 42-45 with two people in it. There is only one problem left and that is my question....all 3 of the carbs leak gas around the plug on the underneath of the carbs in the front of the carb, then there is what looks like little caps on the bottom part of the carb right in the front of the carb. A boat mechanic shop locally around here told me to make sure I got all of the gas and oil cleaned off the carbs real good and use fingernail polish around where they leaked and that would seal it but I haven't found a way to seal them yet. They aren't real fast leaks it just drips slowly and you notice if you sit on an area and fish for a long period of time you have to pump the bulb again to get it to start because all the gas leaks out of the bowls. It also seems to be hard to start first thing in the morning when you back it in the water and I'm not sure if that has anything to do with the carbs leaking or not?? The question is other than the carbs would quit leaking if I put 3 brand new carbs on it would I benefit from anything else if I did put all new carbs on it? I am able to get the carbs at about 230 a piece but I don't want to spend that money if it's not going to do me any good other than the carbs would just stop leaking. Or maybe someone else has some advice on how to seal off the areas where they are leaking? Any help would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 83 mariner inline 6 115 question

Is the leak around the hex head plug on the carb bowl or on the slotted brass screw? The hex plug ought to have a gasket. The slotted plug is a taper fit and tightening it ought to stop the leak. Fingernail polish can help as well, but you need to drain the carbs and clean the area of all oil, before application. Auto silicone will work as well, as it doen't disolve in gasoline or oil.

 

[illinoisbassfishin]

Re: 83 mariner inline 6 115 question



Here is a picture for a little better idea. One of the leaks is on the underneath of the carb where parts 24 and 25 go. And the other leak is where parts 26, 27, and 28 go. I know for a fact we replaced the gasket on the front which is part 28 but we didn't change the screw because the kit didn't come with it which is 27. On the other leak with parts 24 and 25 I honestly can't remember if we did anything to it but tighten it. When we took the carbs off to clean them off and rebuild them it looked as if someone else had used something red on it to seal them off but it didn't look like fingernail polish but it all cleaned off when we used carb cleaner and a brush to clean the carbs. Maybe I will have to just try the fingernail polish again or try the auto silicone like Chris stated. I also thought about trying to spray some of that flex-seal on it that they have been advertising on tv if that stuff really even works. If I could get them to stop leaking I really don't see any sense in buying all new carbs as good as it runs. It's just a pain to know that the carbs leak because even though it's not a lot you are losing gas and when it does leak I'm sure some of it goes into the water as well.

 

[illinoisbassfishin]

Re: 83 mariner inline 6 115 question

Well the picture isn't as big as it is in my documents.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: 83 mariner inline 6 115 question

Hard to see the picture, and the one at crowleymarine has different parts numbering. However, 25 appears to be the plug for the main nozzle. Clean the carb body and put some nail polish on the threads and tighten securely. It should be a taper fit, so a good tightening should seal it. For the main jet plug, there should be a gasket. Most any kind that fits will do. A Merc dealer will sell you one. You could use an oring from the hardware store, I would bet.

I am surprized the rebuild kits didn't have one.