Bad gas?

[JoeMan]

No...not bad tacos. I'm talking gasoline. d

I'm still rather a new boater - this is the first year I've owned a boat and a motor...so I continue to learn. Much thanks to iBoats members!

What is the expected reaction from an outboard (Merc 60hp in my case) if you get a bad batch of gas? Here's my situation, and also why I suspect the gas. I did some typical checks on this motor after buying it recently. Spark, compression, wire connections, hoses, clean fuel tank, etc. Put in new fuel filter, plugs, bench cleaning of carbs...all has been going really well for several trips out. Lots of power, running good. I filled the tank yesterday, and headed out. I puttered out thru the no-wake, then put the hammer down. She launched nicely as usual, but within about 10 seconds after takeoff, she bogged down like crazy, and never regained the power. No leak or kink in the fuel line, bulb was firm, vent open. She still re-started ok after shut off on the water, but very doggy, could not get up the rpm, sputtered and coughed a little. Just seems like once the "good" gas was pulled through the line it sucked in sub-quality fuel thereafter or just some crap into the filter. I don't mean to answer my own question, but would this paint the typical scenario of bad gas to an outboard? If so, this is my first time with a bad batch.

 

[WillyBWright]

Re: Bad gas?

Good gas will mix with the bad. Bad gas won't settle out. But water will. It sounds to me like you might have some water in the gas.

 

[DHPMARINE]

Re: Bad gas?

Take a fuel sample from the hose going from the tank to the engine.Let it sit in a glass jar for a few minutes.

Any sign of layers in the jar ....... bad gas.

DHP

 

[sledstew]

Re: Bad gas?

Another thing Ive seen with your same scenario is a bad water impeller in the lower unit,The motor isnt getting good cooling so it heats up slowly and shuts down.Shortly after it shuts down it restarts fine with good compression and the whole works. So my suggestion if you havent checked it already is make sure its getting water by checking the pisser in the back of the motor.Just my 2 cents.

 

[canadian_fisher]

Re: Bad gas?

I had a bunch of bad gas with water this summer when my sending unit sprung a leak. I fixed the Ga s / Water problem by installing an in-line Racor Marine Fuel Filter between the gas tank and outboard.

When water is present you can actually see it floating around the bottom of the filter (and remove it).

Good Luck .... CF

 

[Laotzu]

Re: Bad gas?

When I had these symtoms it was water in the gas. I installed a gas/water seperator filter and it works fine. For the cost, you should have one even if this isn't the problem.

My daughter worked for a gas wholesaler and she said never buy gas if the tanker is filling the service station tanks.tanks

Jerry

 

[Laotzu]

Re: Bad gas?

When I had these symtoms it was water in the gas. I installed a gas/water seperator filter and it works fine. For the cost, you should have one even if this isn't the problem.

My daughter worked for a gas wholesaler and she said never buy gas if the tanker is filling the service station tanks.
Jerry