whoa elsie, theres milk in my carbs!!!

[lastout]

new problem guys, and i think i know the answer to this one, but i'm looking for reassurance. 1971 60 hp johnson with 3 cyls. i am noticing a milky residue in the throat and on the choke plates of my carbs. i can wipe it off and then crank the engine and run for a few minutes and it will be back again...especially on the #2 carb. also i am noticing condensation on the outer bodies of the carbs...especially #2. sooooo... do you think this is water in the throats and that theres maybe water in my fuel lines, or is it maybe just the fuel entering the carb and attracting the condensation, or am i way off and neither is right. i'm learning so any ideas are appreciated. the motor seems to be running ok, but i did foul out the number one plug this morning. took it out, cleaned it, and ran fine again. didn't stay out long enough to see if it fouled again. please help....thanks in advance. Corey

 

[ob]

Re: whoa elsie, theres milk in my carbs!!!

I'd run it with a portable tank that I knew was clean and had no water.If it reoccurs your problem is elsewhere.Head gasket,exhaust cover gasket,etc... Try draining the carb bowls and see if the water is present.

 

[The Marine Doctor]

Re: whoa elsie, theres milk in my carbs!!!

If we see water or condensation in the throat...its either water in the fuel or the carbs are icing up.<br /><br />TMD

 

[lastout]

Re: whoa elsie, theres milk in my carbs!!!

i'm using a brand-new portable tank, it has been filled roughly 5 times. there appears to be no problem there, however i do not have a water seperator on this boat and plan to put one on soon. the condensation is on the outside of the carburetors, just a milky white residue in the throat. the carbs icing is something i've never heard of, but it makes sense. does the process of air traveling through the throat at a rapid rate cause condensation...kinda like draining the tank on an air compressor? if the head or exhaust gasket were bad, wouldn't there be water in a cylinder and/or wouldn't i lose compression. i have roughly 125 on compression for all cylinders.

 

[lastout]

Re: whoa elsie, theres milk in my carbs!!!

p.s.: thank you gentleman for taking the time to look into my problem.

 

[ED21]

Re: whoa elsie, theres milk in my carbs!!!

I believe that the fuel vaporizing causes the temperature drop in the carb. I have had this problem in old carbureted cars in cool, damp weather, but never on an outboard. In cars they usually solved this by taking off warm air from around the exhaust manifold & routing it to the air cleaner. Was your motor cover on when this happened. My 40 hp draws air from the back of the cover & over the engine to the carbs in front & that should warm the air some, I think.

 

[lastout]

Re: whoa elsie, theres milk in my carbs!!!

actually my cowling was off and the air silencer box cover was off. i was in the process of adjusting the slow speed needles when i noticed this problem. perhaps thats all it was. i still believe i will put on the water seperator to be same and i would still like to hear if anyone else has any ideas. thanks again to all who answered, its been a big help.