Fuel Leak at Float Bowl

[robeward]

1998 50hp Johnson. Mod No = J50TSLECC
2-cyl 2-stroke

Out trying to run the boat a little bit for the first time in a while. I leave the engine trimmed up high when trying to crank. Noticed some fuel coming from the cowling so I pulled her home.

After investigating it seems that the fuel leaks from the seal where the float bowl meets the carb body. Only leaks on the lower carb. The seals are less than a year old. The fuel only leaks when pumping the fuel bulb.

The boat surprisingly fires quickly but can only stay running when using choke.

Also, the second time I went to pump the fuel bulb to check the leak, I head a click noise from inside the carb. Only one click but definitely heard it. Not sure if the noise is connected to the problem but thought I would mention it.

Any thoughts on the leak? Thanks for your input. I do have manuals and will be using them to try and come up with ideas.

 

[Barnacle_Bill]

Re: Fuel Leak at Float Bowl

Does it do it with the motor trimmed down in running position? If it does you may have some trash in the carb keeping the needle from seating properly.

 

[toddschubert]

Re: Fuel Leak at Float Bowl

It shouldn't leak at all. Where surfaces thoroughly clean and undamaged when you replaced o-ring? I'd pull it and start over replacing seal.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: Fuel Leak at Float Bowl

If that motor requires using the choke to keep her running, it has dirty idle passages as a minimum. I recommend a carb cleaning with new gaskets, new inlet needles etc. This should also stop your leak, although it will depend on how high she is trimmed.....

 

[robeward]

Re: Fuel Leak at Float Bowl

Does it do it with the motor trimmed down in running position? If it does you may have some trash in the carb keeping the needle from seating properly.

Yes. I didn't even fight trying to get it cranked when at the river. Just pulled it home and put the muffs on it. While using the muffs the engine was sitting level.

 

[robeward]

Re: Fuel Leak at Float Bowl

It shouldn't leak at all. Where surfaces thoroughly clean and undamaged when you replaced o-ring? I'd pull it and start over replacing seal.

Yes. I had cleaned the carbs a while back. That didn't fix my problem back then so I had a certified mechanic basically redo my work in case I screwed up so I feel that everything is in good shape.

 

[robeward]

Re: Fuel Leak at Float Bowl

One other tid bit of info. A few months ago I had a choke line break. Before I found that I thought bad gas was part of my issue. I pumped her dry, then found and replaced the choke line, but never refueled her. Didn't have time to crank her up. I noticed this past time trying to crank her the fuel bulb was extremely hard and fuel line was really stiff.

Is this b/c I didn't have any fuel to keep things limber? Could this have contributed to my problem? By the time I made it home things had loosened up back to normal it seemed. This was just strange to me so I thought I would mention it.

thanks for all the help!