Fuel tank valve needs to be always opened?

RickyAust

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 9, 2007
Messages
36
I recently took my boat on our first trip and found it hard to start. When I did ge the motor started and in idle, it would reguarly stall when going into forward. To get the boat into action I had to have the revs extremely high which would see the boat dangerously launch forward. Once going it continued without a problem. A friend has told me that I should have the valve open on the fuel tank cap which allows air into the tank. I had this closed the entire trip. Does this have a big impact?
 

Barnacle_Bill

Admiral
Joined
Feb 8, 2004
Messages
6,469
Re: Fuel tank valve needs to be always opened?

Yes, the vent has to be open while the motor is running or else it can't suck fuel up to the the motor.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Fuel tank valve needs to be always opened?

ricky, please when you start a thread, state make, yr, hp. and some history of the engine. sounds like you have some other minor problems also. right now i would be just guessing. dirty carbs, idle adjustment, compression, spark. just to mention a few possibilities. we'll get you running, but your our eyes & ears. welcome to iboats.
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
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Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Fuel tank valve needs to be always opened?

High revs and then throwing it into gear will eventually break things.
 

DHPMARINE

Captain
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Dec 16, 2003
Messages
3,688
Re: Fuel tank valve needs to be always opened?

Best thing to do is put back in the water and try it with the valve open.That way you might eliminate one cause/problem.And we won't have to guess too hard(grin).

Yes,year and model/serial number will usually get quicker more acurate responses.

DHP
 

RickyAust

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 9, 2007
Messages
36
Re: Fuel tank valve needs to be always opened?

Sorry guys, the model is a 1967 Johnson 2 Stroke 60HP. I intend to take the boat out again this week to test it with the valve open.

Another problem we have here in Australia are water restrictions and are not allowed to fill a large drum to flush the motor after salt water use. Standard motor flushers do not suit this motor as I believe Temp once made an adaptor. Can they still be sourced?
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
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Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: Fuel tank valve needs to be always opened?

Can't fill a drum? And I thought they were picky here. Is it because of a fresh water shortage?

I think Tempo quit making the flushette for that motor some time ago. Once in awhile one will show up on e-bay. You could probably fabricate one if you are handy with light metalwork.
 

itstippy

Chief Petty Officer
Joined
Jul 17, 2003
Messages
548
Re: Fuel tank valve needs to be always opened?

You really should flush that motor after salt water use. Fabricate a temporary flushette out of a hunk of old garden hose and duct tape if need be. Keep your eyes open for a plastic bottle that has the same threads as a garden hose end to make a better one. I made a decent one for my 40HP out of an old laundry detergent bottle and a rubber strap.
 

RickyAust

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 9, 2007
Messages
36
Re: Fuel tank valve needs to be always opened?

Guys, took my boat out yesterday and had the valve on the fuel cap opened the whole time. This time the boat started nearly every turn of the key, however I had to keep switching the manual choke button down to stop the boat from stalling. Nearly everytime I went to put the boat in forward it would stall. To get it going I once again had to up the revs. Once going the boat runs fine, however when I slow down and go to quicken up again, it takes a second before the boat responds to the speed increase.

I have ordered a couple of manuals, however would spraying carb cleaner into the two carb outlets help?
 

RickyAust

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 9, 2007
Messages
36
Re: Fuel tank valve needs to be always opened?

Also forgot to mention, even after running the boat for sometime, once I stop it, the problem happens once again when taking off even with the motor warmed up.
 

chrish

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Apr 3, 2006
Messages
46
Re: Fuel tank valve needs to be always opened?

you also might want to check the fuel diaphram (or fuel pump) it could be getting weak,
 

RickyAust

Seaman Apprentice
Joined
Jan 9, 2007
Messages
36
Re: Fuel tank valve needs to be always opened?

Thats true... I am going to take it to my local retired service guy to look at it. Today we took it out again and it started everytime but I reguarly had to click the manual choke switch to keep the revs up to stop it stalling when re-starting to change positions. Once we were on our way it runs perfect with the only other times it faulters when I slow down and place in idel it sometimes dies.
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Fuel tank valve needs to be always opened?

did you rebuild the carbs? sounds like dirty low speed jets. and the idle adjustments. you need to get it to where it will idle in the water, in gear, at 650-750 rpms.
 
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