Prospector
Cadet
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2004
- Messages
- 22
Engine is a 2001 Merc 60HP Bigfoot 4-stroke with carb. When laid up in October 2009 everything was running fine until several minutes prior to shutdown when engine started to stumble. Early April 2010 I changed spark plugs and changed lube oil and oil filter and drained 4 quarts instead of 3 out of engine. Oil was brownish gray color. I suspect at least 25% of drained oil is gasoline. I checked compression of each cylinder and got 185 psig-195 psig. T'stat checked out OK - opened at 120F. Temp. Sensor checked out OK with OHM and hot water test. I changed t'stat and temp sensor anyway. Enricher checked out OK with 12VDC test. Opened fuel pump and diaphragms looked OK but I changed the inboard diaphragm with plunger anyway. Engine now starts and runs rough and stalls at idle. Fuel tank bulb will not stay hard. I changed bulb and fuel line but bulb still will not stay hard. I now suspect a bad #1 carburetor float or needle/seat causing fuel to leak into oil. The #1 carb. is suspect because I find more fuel staining on #1 new spark plug more than on other 3 new spark plugs.
Question is: Can I change the float in #1 carb without removing all 4 carburetors as an assembly? Is there anything else that would give me the symptoms of fuel in lube oil (making oil) and tank bulb not staying hard?
Question is: Can I change the float in #1 carb without removing all 4 carburetors as an assembly? Is there anything else that would give me the symptoms of fuel in lube oil (making oil) and tank bulb not staying hard?