classic case of ethanol poisioning

[tashasdaddy]

this is a classic case of ethanol and old fuel lines. the carbs were totally blocked.

Ethanol and fuel lines
replace all fuel line with Alcohol resistant lines. Ethanol deteriorates, the rubber lines, then they start to sluff off on the inside, going directly to the carbs. Settling to the bottom of the bowl. Contaminating the carbs low and high speed jets. clean a rebuild carbs, flushing fuel line before connecting to carbs.

Excellent resistance to heat, ozone, and permeation by
alcohol blended gasoline and diesel fuels. Compounded
to meet or exceed SAE J1527 Type B, USCG - Type B, USCG
and NMMA standards for fuel feed and vent hoses.

 

[kenmyfam]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning

That's quite the show and tell !!!
Should certainly get the point across about changing those old fuel lines.

 

[Boss Hawg]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning



Think i'll double check the lines on my 1987 Johnson :redface:

 

[jtcarter]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning

Glad i changed all of mine already. We still can get real gas around here and thats all i use.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning

i worked 3 hours trying to get the idle port unclogged, no luck, used a bowl from a donor carb.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning

i worked 3 hours trying to get the idle port unclogged, no luck, used a bowl from a donor carb.

Just for fun, try boiling the clogged carb on the stove in a strong solution of water and automatic dishwasher soap.

 

[sssports]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning

Hi Tashasdaddy,

You have been of great help to me, so if I may offer a suggestion/method that I have used may times with success.

Now please doing this one must exercize a ton of caution and finesse. I HAVE NOT tried this on outboard carbs, but have used it very sucessfully on various other small engines such as Lawn tractor, snowblowers etc.

VERY CAREFULLY and AFTER removing ANY and ALL seals, gaskets and O rings, use a propane or MAPP gas torch to heat and burn the offending deposits out of the small orifices in the carb. After doing this I also then use an appropriate sized piece of wire and physically clean the orifice, and then blow out with carb cleaner.

Obviously, if you overheat the part you can ruin it, so if you do try this, try it a little at a time rather than more right off. I have found that the gum and varnish deposits will burn off long before any danger of melting the aluminum or brass whichever is the composition of the part you are trying to clean.

But ONCE AGAIN use extreme caution, and go SLOW with the heat. I also spread the heat over the entire part and then concentrate it a little more in the area of blockage, I do this to prevent distortion of the casting, DO NOT dunk in water to cool, but rather let it cool down to room temp naturally on a non flammable rest such as a asbestos pad.

In addition it would probably be a good idea for most to use propane as MAPP gas is considerably hotter burning.

So once again if you try this go slow, and do it at YOUR OWN RISK, however if you are going to have to replace the part anyway being unable to get it unblocked what have you got to lose but to give it a try?

Marty

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning

Marty thanks for the thought, but usless really, really bad, i would not condone the idea.

 

[sbump52]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning

Will adding Seafoam or Stabil help prevent this? I have an old motor that uses the two line hose. I replace the line regularly, but don't think this line was ethanol resistant.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning

you can buy single line alcohol resistant, and just use zip ties to hold them together. seafoam will help, but not totally.

 

[bear1984]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning

I am new to repair work on outboards, posted a problem a few weeks ago about my 1986 evinrude 90 not running more than 2500 rpm in gear, neutral runs plenty srtong, motor runs smooth but not fast,- anyway i was told to check spark pugs, wires timming, and carbs, everything that i could check looked ok or i replaced. Except the carbs i saved that for the last my question is a two parter, first does this sound like "The Classic Problem" posted at the top of the page that could be cuasing my problem. Secondly how hard is it to take off, clean, rebuild, etc...Is this something i could do myself, being somewhat clueless, or should i take it to a pro, trying to save money and learn anywhere i can

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning

read carb cleaning in the TOP SECRECT FILE>

 

[Raymondpb]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning

Hi All,

Those are some crazy tricks to clean out your carbs. Question; what happend to the old reliable 'carb dip'? For about $20 you can buy a gallon of it in a paint can with a strainer tray. An overnight dip and scalding hot rinse has never let me down on non marine applications; I don't see why it would not work in Tashasdaddys case.

Raymond

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning

Hi All,

Those are some crazy tricks to clean out your carbs. Question; what happend to the old reliable 'carb dip'? For about $20 you can buy a gallon of it in a paint can with a strainer tray. An overnight dip and scalding hot rinse has never let me down on non marine applications; I don't see why it would not work in Tashasdaddys case.

Raymond

That's kind of the point of the thread. It's "Change your old fuel lines before ethanol turns them to mush and clogs up your carb with semi-liquid rubber crap that you can't get out"
Soaking in carb cleaner doesn't seem to get this stuff out.

 

[huckelberry]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning

TD mentioned the use of alcohol resistant lines. I rebuilt my 25 hp evinrude earlier this and last year. I bought new fuel line from the local parts store and bought a new BRP evinrude hose assembly from the dealer. With the lines being new this year are they alcohol resistant or do I need to go to the parts store and ask for it specificly

 

[Raymondpb]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning

Oh, yea, I agree, an ounce of prevention.....however once it occurs; I have never seen a carb that dip, a hot bath and blow dry could not clean out.

To be honest, I have not even considerd this to be an issue in any of my boats; yet. I am paying attention now!

Ray

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning

this stuff is dissolved rubber, and reforms. left to dry, gets hard to dissolve.

 

[packman35]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning

Now you guys have me worried!!

My engine is a 1993 and the shop manual specifically states that you can use gas with up to 10% ethanol.

Should I be worrying about changing hoses etc. so long as the max ethanol stays at 10%?

 

[jtexas]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning

ok, I know you tried everything, so this is more of a theoretical question.......ethanol & gasoline mixture dissolved the stuff in the first place, did you by any chance try soaking it in E10? I just don't understand why a blend of acetone, alcohol, methyl ethyl ketone, and whatever other nasty stuff they put in B12 would have a problem with it. I guess whatever's left to adhere to the carb is a whole nuther species altogether.

On the bright side, if you ever need a process to permanently apply a rubber coating to metal...................

 

[echo7]

Re: classic case of ethanol poisioning

So I just recently got my '57 evinrude running again after 4+ years of sitting and she runs like a champ for over a month. Then all of a sudden this weekend I can't seem to keep her running for more than 30 seconds, even with doing some major tweaking with the low and high speed adjustments. Think ethanol is my problem? I know my tank is definitely older than I am so i'll be looking into replacing that today with some new lines. Thanks for the awesome threads around here guys!