Rotted tubing from carburetor to solenoid!

[rjshomes]

I bought a used pontoon boat with a 1997 Tracker<br />Mercury motor on it that had been sitting for 3 years. There's a short 1/4" black tube that runs from the bottom of the carburetor bowl to a solenoid. This 1/4" inch tube has rotted and broken off of the connection to the carburetor bowl. After I completely removed the short piece of tubing I noticed that the insides were all eaten up and it had many fractures. I have no idea why this tube rotted and whether or not I should replace it with another type of material which might not rot? I'd also like to know what is the purpose of the solenoid and this line running to the bottom of the carburetor. Any information at all will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

[LubeDude]

Re: Rotted tubing from carburetor to solenoid!

Welcome to Iboats.<br /><br />This is actually the tube that allows fuel to run into the carbs and acts like a choke. (When you push in the key) I know it looks like vacume line, but it is in fact a fuel line. It is pretty cheap and can be had at your local Merc dealer. Replace both of them. If this one is bad, it would be a wise Idea to replace all of your fuel lines now so you know where you stand, along with your fuel pump and filter. If you have oil injection you should replace the clear oil line also, bet its hard as a rock, Also available at your merc dealer.

 

[achris]

Re: Rotted tubing from carburetor to solenoid!

RJ Who?<br /><br />The tubing is for the enricher system. The successor to the old choke system. The solenoid should have a second tube running to the intake manifold. When you press the 'choke' on the control box (either a seperate switch or by pushing the ignition key in) the solenoid opens and allows fuel from the bowl of the top carb to be sucked directly into the intake. Used for cold starting. <br /><br />You can replace the tube with the original or with silicon tube of the right diameter.<br /><br />Chris..........

 

[rjshomes]

Re: Rotted tubing from carburetor to solenoid!

Thank you LubeDude and achris. I really appreciate your help and can see already I am going to us this forum a lot. Best regards...Rj

 

[rodbolt]

Re: Rotted tubing from carburetor to solenoid!

if it sat long enough to rot that rubber line just think what the insides of the fuel pump and carbs look like. and the advice to check ALL the clear vynil oil lines is correct. if you cant move them they are hard and subject to catastrophic failure. after sitting 3 years a fuel system overhaul is in order, just after the compression and spark test.