Help Me TROUBLESHOOT Gas/Carb/Other??

Joined
Jul 6, 2006
Messages
60
Folks- The quality and the quantity of information in this forum is awesome. For the same reason, since I am a newbie I need to directly ask for information that may already be posted in piecemeal somewhere else…for this forgive me. Anyway, here is the issue:

Rude: Lark VI, Model 404738, Serial: 54310373
Boat: LoneStar Triton 15’ runabout

Problem: Boat ran great until about 2 weeks ago the sediment in the tank clogged up the fuel filter. I was able to limp back to ramp at low throttle and subsequently replaced the old rusty tank, new filter, even put in a fuel gauge and redid the wiring. After all this the engine started fine, quick…but since I do not have muffs I could only dry start and not really throttle out WOT

Issues: Yesterday on the lake, boat started but I could not get it to run beyond the idle speed. In fact anything over idle and it died…I had to restart about 40 times just to limp back to ramp from about 1000 yards out. The fuel bulb collapses and I do see fuel in the filter chamber and it appears to run through the line (I took out the filter and placed a clear plastic tube to check).

Previous action: When fuel filter clogged and starved the engine I did not rebuild Carb, I merely cleaned outside and shot some Carb cleaner in the throat. I opened the drain at the float chamber and the gas looks very clean… it started right away..but now no go on lake

What is the trouble shooting process since it appears that the problem could be simple, complex or one of many possible issues??

Help ME please…

Sam
 

xtraham

Lieutenant
Joined
Jul 20, 2006
Messages
1,425
Re: Help Me TROUBLESHOOT Gas/Carb/Other??

is the vent on the fuel tank open?
 

rickdb1boat

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jan 23, 2002
Messages
11,195
Re: Help Me TROUBLESHOOT Gas/Carb/Other??

Couple of things. Never run the motor without water to the lower unit. Water pump will burn up quick, not to mention the engine will over heat. If the fuel bulb is collapsing, you have a restriction from the tank to the bulb. Are you sure the vent to the tank is open and clear? Or there is a restriction is in the tank pickup. Plus you probably now have junk in your carb from the tank being dirty. Pull it off, take it apart and clean it good.
 
Joined
Jul 6, 2006
Messages
60
Re: Help Me TROUBLESHOOT Gas/Carb/Other??

Thx for advice to date. I only start the engine, not actually run for more than about 3 seconds, anything over that I place lower unit in tank (but thanks for reminder). OFF Q: Are there any muffs for this engine..have looked and nothing found.?

Anyway..back on issue:

I have taken the carb. off, dismantled it and have the pieces soaking in solvent.

Q: How long should it soak prior to re-assemble and re-install?

Q: I noted that the high speed needle is ok and that the low speed needle was slightly squared at the tip....but otherwise ok. Can I use emery cloth to smooth out...there are no obvious ridges or drops on the length of brass?

Finally, it appears that the last owner disconnected the electric choke solenoid due to it's having burnt up inside...I am cleaning this as well...since it has a manual over-ride and the electric unit is disconnected...this should not be the issue., or is it??? Remember the engine ran fine with this defect for over a month..I just use the manual over ride until it warms up. Thank you for the info. I await further enlightenment.. 8)

Sam
 

xtraham

Lieutenant
Joined
Jul 20, 2006
Messages
1,425
Re: Help Me TROUBLESHOOT Gas/Carb/Other??

overnight, then clean with carb cleaner in a airasol can blow through every orifis with compressed air
 
Joined
Jul 6, 2006
Messages
60
Re: Help Me TROUBLESHOOT Gas/Carb/Other??

Done and done...she purrs like a kitten... The float bowl had a bb sized clump of "gunk" form the sediment and did not dissolve, but with the compressed air it shot right out...re-assembled and installed and ready to ride the waves... also I replaced all the old gas hoses with clear solvent/gas resistant hoses and I can now easily see the flow and the amount of gas going in. This will make trouble shooting in the future much easier. I believe that because of the obstruction this caused the back vaccum which kept the bulb collapased..

ANYWAY MUCH THX to all...

Yeah....hope to get promoted soon!!

Sam 8)
 
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