Old fuel

[LARRYHUB]

I have a 1997 Force 50 hp That has been getting harder to start when cold. I spray fresh fuel in carb it starts up quick. my fuel is from last year. What can i do to this fuel other than dumping it? I have about 5 gal in it.

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Old fuel

If it runs OK after it's started, then you may not have a fuel issue. I doubt that bad fuel will only affect the starting of the motor and run fine otherwise.

If it does run OK after it's started, look at the fuel enrichener solenoid (Choke) or the fuel pump diaphragm.

If you feel that it is the fuel, maybe pour half of it into another container and replace it with half a tank of fresh fuel/oil and try it. If your tank is internal, just fill it up with some fresh fuel/oil mixture and maybe add some fuel stabilizer to it.

 

[Jiggz]

Re: Old fuel

Getting rid of that fuel is harder than it used to be. You can either slowly mix it up with fresh fuel or put it aside (treat with stabil) for your garden/lawn tools. If it is in an internal tank, as mentioned, just mix it with fresh fuel. As for the engine getting harder to start, it is most likely to gummed up carb bowl and needle or jets. Clean the bowls, jets and needle and try again.

 

[gm280]

Re: Old fuel

Does the old fuel still smell like gas or like something else? If it still smells like gas, then remove it and use it in your car a little at a time. Put new mix in the tank for your boating engine and happy boating. If it has already turned bad, then mix it in less amounts with fresh fuel in your car. If it turned to soup, well then you have to locate a toxic waste facility and dispose of it...

 

[Big Fish Billy]

Re: Old fuel

Getting rid of that fuel is harder than it used to be. You can either slowly mix it up with fresh fuel or put it aside (treat with stabil) for your garden/lawn tools. If it is in an internal tank, as mentioned, just mix it with fresh fuel. As for the engine getting harder to start, it is most likely to gummed up carb bowl and needle or jets. Clean the bowls, jets and needle and try again.

Yup, tractors, lawn mowers, etc., although when I put it in my Dodge Ram truck, it gets used up faster and 14mpg.

 

[TCNJ]

Re: Old fuel

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[Jiggz]

Re: Old fuel

Yup, tractors, lawn mowers, etc., although when I put it in my Dodge Ram truck, it gets used up faster and 14mpg.

I didn't realize you have a 2-stroke Ram but hey, maybe what you have is a collectible!

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Old fuel

If it runs OK after it's started, then you may not have a fuel issue. I doubt that bad fuel will only affect the starting of the motor and run fine otherwise.

If it does run OK after it's started, look at the fuel enrichener solenoid (Choke) or the fuel pump diaphragm.

If you feel that it is the fuel, maybe pour half of it into another container and replace it with half a tank of fresh fuel/oil and try it. If your tank is internal, just fill it up with some fresh fuel/oil mixture and maybe add some fuel stabilizer to it.

I agree with this

 

[LARRYHUB]

Re: Old fuel

My tank is internal and would be hard to remove the fuel from it. I have checked the enrichener it is working. What do you think about adding a higher oct fuel to my tank? The motor runs fine after i get it started for the first time just bump the starter and it cranks Idles fine all the way up to FT.

 

[redneck joe]

Re: Old fuel

if it runs fine after the initial start, I highly doubt it is the fuel. I had a 120 L-drive that had same issue - never figured it out before I sold it.

 

[Jiggz]

Re: Old fuel

My tank is internal and would be hard to remove the fuel from it. I have checked the enrichener it is working. What do you think about adding a higher oct fuel to my tank? The motor runs fine after i get it started for the first time just bump the starter and it cranks Idles fine all the way up to FT.

No need to use higher Octane gas, it will not make any difference to the old gas. The old gas maybe old but it is not sour. If the engine is now starting and running correctly, I say take her out for a ride and use that old gas after you mix it up with some fresh one of at least the same amount. Enjoy!

 

[pnwboat]

Re: Old fuel

Are you using (if you have this feature) the neutral fast idle setting on your throttle handle to start? Force motors have a reputation for being cold blooded. Once they warm up, you're good to go, but when they're cold, it can be frustrating.

 

[LARRYHUB]

Re: Old fuel

I will add new fuel to tank and try it again when I go to the lake or try it on the muffs I will let you know how it turns out. Thanks for all your help.

 

[LARRYHUB]

sorry to take so long to get back, If I spray a little premixed fuel in carb before backing in lake the motor starts up fast and runs good. do you think my fuel pump may need a kit put in it.

 

[pnwboat]

Are you pushing inwards on the ignition key as you turn it to activate the fuel enrichment solenoid (choke) when you're starting the motor?

You can tell if the solenoid is engaging by taking the cover off, turn the ignition key to the ON position, not start and just push inwards on the ignition key. You should hear a click from the solenoid which is mounted by the carburetor each time you push in on the ignition key. The solenoid is a valve that allows extra fuel into the motor for starting. There is a small 1/4" hose that goes from the fuel bowl to the solenoid/valve.

EDIT: I guess I should have read the complete thread. Looks like you've already checked the fuel enrichment solenoid. Sorry about that.

The only other thing I can think of is are you filling up the carburetor fuel bowl with the primer bulb before starting? Since the primer solenoid gets it's fuel supply from the fuel bowl, if the bowl is not completely full it may not supply enough gas for cold starts.

 

[Jiggz]

As PNW mentioned, make sure your choke or enrichment system is working properly. If you are not sure how it works please let us know and we can go into the details. Also, make sure you have the control lever in the fast idle position when starting. Again, if not sure how, let us know.

 

[LARRYHUB]

I may be wrong but i was thinking I needed fuel pressure for the fuel to go thru the solenoid. If motor is running and i push in on key it will try to flood motor. How can i check to see if bowl is full?

 

[LARRYHUB]

I may be wrong but i was thinking I needed fuel pressure for the fuel to go thru the solenoid. If motor is running and i push in on key it will try to flood motor. How can i check to see if bowl is full? i am pushing the high idle forward.

 

[pnwboat]

Squeeze the primer bulb enough times until it gets firm. It gets firm when the fuel bowl fills up and the carburetor needle valve closes preventing any more fuel from entering the bowl.

 

[Jiggz]

Quick starting steps (mostly only on cold engine).
1. Squeeze primer bulb until firm as discussed above
2. Place control lever in fast idle position
3. Press in key and keep pressing while turning to start motor. Hold up to no more than 10 secs.
4. If motor starts,promptly release key from being pressed.
5. If motor did not start and did not "cough" or "sneeze", try step 3 again. Note if motor "sneezes" or "coughs" normally it will disengage the starter pinion gear from the flywheel ring. Let go and reset of the key and do step 6. Usually, it only takes no more than two times of "choking" to start the motor doing more or longer can flood the carbs.
6. If motor "coughs" or "sneeze", try starting again but without the choke or enricher (i.e., DO NOT PRESS IN THE KEY)

Let us know how it goes.