Outboard Troubleshoting

[BrianW]

The Honda 9.9 outboard on my Hunter 26 ran perfectly 2 weeks ago. When trying to start it today under the same conditions , the engine would turn over without starting or even sputtering. I removed the engine cover and could smell gas. I let it set for 30 minutes. It still would not start. I could see gas coming from the carb (see photo) as I applied slight pressure on the full bulb. I disconnected the gas line, gave the engine some throttle and it sputtered, and then began running perfectly (on residual fuel). When I connected the fuel line it would sputter to a stop and would not crank. I repeated this several times. Should applying slight pressure on a full fuel line bulb flood the carb? Any ideas? Thanks! BrianW

 

[sailormanbigd]

just a dumb guess

I am not a mechanic but it sounds like maybe the float is involved? Might have some crud under the float needle not allowing the needle to seat so that it is always getting too much fuel in the bowl causing flooding? when fuel line is disconnected and not forceing fuel in it runs. U should get some better answeres on here soon. Pat

 

[sailormanbigd]

or maybe water in the tank, ethenol notorious for attracting water. Check your fuel in a glass jar or something, let stand alittle while and it will sepperate if water is in it.

 

[BrianW]

Pat, I'm using Sta-Bil Marine gas treatment for ethanol.

 

[thinwater]

Pat, I'm using Sta-Bil Marine gas treatment for ethanol.

It's not the gas. If it ran when the fuel was disconnected, yup Sailorman's got it. The only probably cause is a float or needle that is stuck. Easy to fix.

Removing the carb is probably a 5 minute job (10 minutes the first time). Spraying it out with cleaner takes only a few minutes (remove the float and needle first). With some practice, only 15 minutes start to finish, but figure on 30 minutes. And the entire carb will be cleaner than when you started, reducing problems for a while.

It is possible that the float has gotten heavy or that the needle is damaged. In that case, replace those parts. An entire rebuild kit would be overkill.

The smartest thing to do is to get a manual for the engines. Small outboards are quite simple. At least the common problems are.

PS. Stabil will not keep gas from separating. Practical Sailor ran some tests, including this product, and none of the products did. The only things that will help are a full tank and a tight cap.

 

[RichBone]

Is there a dead man's or safety tether switch on the outboard. I had trouble with my Merc 9.9 last year until I found my dead man's switch was bad. Drove me nuts for a month trying to isolate the problem.

Rich

 

[Rick Webb]

I Wonder

If it ran OK without the fuel line connected but not when it was connected could it be sucking air or the fuel bulb collapsing?

 

[BrianW]

Rick, the fuel bulb isn't collapsing or doesn't feel "mushy" after filling. It's firm and completely full after pumping full, except for the gas I am able to slowly "squirt" through the carb with slight constant pressure on the full fuel bulb? I don't think that is normal, is it? BrianW

 

[BrianW]

RBone, there is a Honda recall on that deadman's switch because of excessive deterioration, but that's not it because it runs OK after disconnecting the fuel line until the residual fuel burns off (about 2 minutes). Thanks for the thought. BrianW

 

[Rick Webb]

Stuck Float

It sounds like. Are you using eathonal free fuel?

 

[BrianW]

Re: Stuck Float

Rick, the gas I'm using contains ethanol. BrianW

 

[SycloneDriver]

the float is stuck

The float/needle is stuck. Take the carb off & take it apart & clean it with carb spray & compressed air. These small carbs are not difficult to work on, just don't drop anything in the water.

PS If you are pushing the start button or turing the key or pulling the rope and the engine is turring over it is cranking. It may not start but it is cranking.

Troy

 

[Rick Webb]

Bad News

Pull the carb and clean it out as well as you can all the passages and jets maybe that will do it.

If that does not take care of it and you wind up at the point where you are thinking of taking it to someone to work on just buy a new carb. They run about a hundred and a half and if you can put it on yhoursealf you come out ahead of the game in the end.

There is at least one gas station in Pensacola that sells no ethonal gas most all of the marinas do to. There is no place for ethanol gas on boats.

Good Luck

 

[monkeybars]

ditto on the stuck float,your flooding out. the ethanol is not a problem if you use fresh gas.been using mandatory ethanol for 30 years in AZ on boats,quads,cars,small aircraft have never had a single problem related to acholhol in fuel, i think the problem is water contaminated fuel,just because the boat is in the water dosent mean you have to let the water into your fuel system.

 

[kloudie1]

Another thing to check before pulling the carb.. Hondas have a vent on the float bowl that goes through the cowling . The wasps and mud daubers love to build nests there and can plug that little tube. When the tube plugs, it air locks the float bowl and any entering gasoline just passes thru.. Acts like a stuck float but it isn't. It will be a little black tube about 1/8" ID and may be one or the other of the tubes visible in the picture.. pull that tube and clear it with a small wire all the way outside the cowling to make sure the dead spiders are out. I had this happen twice on my old Honda outboard. If that doesn't fix it, then start with the carb work.. Good Luck

 

[Merlin Clark]

It sounds like one of the connections on the fuel line is allowing air into the line. Might want to either tighten them or if they are the crimp on kind, replace with SS hose clamps.

 

[BrianW]

Thanks all! I'll first check all the easy stuff prior to removing the carb, including fuel hose line, bulb and carb drain line. I'll also change out my gas and flush out my gas tank. Then, I'll remove the carb (first time for me) and give it a good cleaning, concentrating on the float/needle valves. My biggest challenge is to do this while my boat is still in its slip.... and to not drop anything overboard!. Again, THANKS to you all for your input. Ya'll narrowed it down to a fix that I can do myself. I'll let you know how it goes. BrianW

 

[Merlin Clark]

Brian,
If you can't take the motor off the boat, I'd rig something to catch any parts that fall, water is like a magnet to unreplaceable parts!

 

[Rick Webb]

Ethonal and Arizona vs Florida

The difference is kinda like the weather it is the humidity. The alcohol has a much greater affinity for the moisture in the air and absorbs water seemingly through the plastic can. When water collects and sit in the carb it turns to a gel and then into a cement gunking up the passage in the carb.

I am real happy to hear you do not have those issues in Arizona but that is not anywhere near the experience here for boats, lawn equipment, generators and any other products using small gas engines.

 

[Rick Webb]

For the Future

If I am not mistaken there is a screw on the bottom of your float bowl that allows you to drain the carb. I hve a freind who had a similar Honda on his dink and could not convince him to drain the gas or to use the more expensive marina gas. He is on his third carburator now and has become a believer.

Good news is it looks like there is going to be a bill in the next legislative sesion to end the requirement for Florida fuel distributors to add eathonal. If eathonal free fuel becomes more available the market place may take care of the rest.