Back in Noverber 2005, while I was motoring my H260 to the boat ramp for winter storage, my brand new Honda 9.9 (2001) bagan to run on 1 piston. It started fine and ran perfectly and al of a sudden it began to run like crap. I thought that, perhaps, a plug had fouled and, in the spring with fresh fuel and clean plugs, she would run fine. Well, spring came and with fresh fuel and new plugs, she still ran like crap. Last Friday I got the motor back from the shop and what they told me was really very enlightening. The mechanic told me that even though the motor was meticulosly maintained, the fuel went bad and fouled one of the jets in the carb. That March, 2005 I filled my fuel tank with 6 gals of fresh fuel and I was still running off the same fuel. He told me that the fuel that we are getting now is of such poor and frail quality that after 60 days it begins to go bad. Making things worse is the fact that now that our fuel in NY had 10% alcohol (instead of 10% MBTE) the alcohol ABSORBS WATER and therefore detoriates faster. I was told that when returning to the dock I should disconnect the fuel line and let the motor run out of fuel and, once a month, put fresh fuel in my gas tank. Other friends suggest not running the motor dry (which still leaves a film in the carb) but to use a fuel stabilizer. I would like to use a fuel stabilizer but I feel there must be a "trade off" some where or the oil companies would have put if the fuel to begin with? Anyone have some ideas? Thanks!
Interesting Fuel Information
- Thread starter bob fliegel
- Start date
- Status
- Not open for further replies.
P
paul h
Similar Problem
Bob,When I first got my boat up from Florida was in August of 2000.Since I was new to all this(owning a boat with an outboard), I decided to pull the engine(Honda 15 HP)off. I brought it home where it stayed all winter. In the spring I put it back on the boat and started it up. She ran fine in neutral but stalled whenever I put it in gear. Had the carburator cleaned and it was still acting up. To make a long story short, when I started to put stabilizer in my fuel at the end of the season and run the engine dry, my problem stopped.Plus,in the spring I always start her out with fresh fuel. I take the other stuff home and use it in my lawnmower. Been fine ever since
Bob,When I first got my boat up from Florida was in August of 2000.Since I was new to all this(owning a boat with an outboard), I decided to pull the engine(Honda 15 HP)off. I brought it home where it stayed all winter. In the spring I put it back on the boat and started it up. She ran fine in neutral but stalled whenever I put it in gear. Had the carburator cleaned and it was still acting up. To make a long story short, when I started to put stabilizer in my fuel at the end of the season and run the engine dry, my problem stopped.Plus,in the spring I always start her out with fresh fuel. I take the other stuff home and use it in my lawnmower. Been fine ever since
I run my dry
I run mine dry after each use -- I mean not if I am sailing for multiple days -- but if I am leaving the boat. I've done this for years, and it seems to work well and keeps the motor from gumming up. One time I didn't because I planned to be back in a couple of days -- but I got sick and didn't get back to the boat for a couple of months and I had a heck of a time. So now unless I am staying on the boat . . .
I run mine dry after each use -- I mean not if I am sailing for multiple days -- but if I am leaving the boat. I've done this for years, and it seems to work well and keeps the motor from gumming up. One time I didn't because I planned to be back in a couple of days -- but I got sick and didn't get back to the boat for a couple of months and I had a heck of a time. So now unless I am staying on the boat . . .
B
Bob
run it dry
Bob, Until this year I used Stabil but did not let it run dry. Towards the middle of the season it would become harder to start. This year my mechanic recommended using Stabil, running it dry and trying to start it with the choke on after it ran dry. It works great and has been very easy to start all season long.
Bob, Until this year I used Stabil but did not let it run dry. Towards the middle of the season it would become harder to start. This year my mechanic recommended using Stabil, running it dry and trying to start it with the choke on after it ran dry. It works great and has been very easy to start all season long.
Run it Dry
I recently had the carb on my 1994 2 stroke 8 HP Tohatsu rebuilt. I asked my mechanic about running it dry based on the limited amount of use it gets (short transit time from ramp to sailing) He said to run it dry. He also said the same thing about fuel quality is horrible these days. I too have had clogged jets. Jonathan
I recently had the carb on my 1994 2 stroke 8 HP Tohatsu rebuilt. I asked my mechanic about running it dry based on the limited amount of use it gets (short transit time from ramp to sailing) He said to run it dry. He also said the same thing about fuel quality is horrible these days. I too have had clogged jets. Jonathan
Run it dry
I do it as a matter of course once I'm back to the dock and tied up. There was this one time when the motor had not been run for about eight months. It fired on the second pull, idled steadily and ran well under load all day. Peter H23 "Raven"
I do it as a matter of course once I'm back to the dock and tied up. There was this one time when the motor had not been run for about eight months. It fired on the second pull, idled steadily and ran well under load all day. Peter H23 "Raven"
small engines
I have a Nissan 5hp 4 stroke on my 240. Me and gas engines normally don't get along. About a year after I got my boat the motor would not stay running for very long. I took it the Nissan local shop. He found that the valves had carboned up. He said run amoco hi test(BP) only and before putting up for any length of time, allow the engine to run dry, which I do. The motor starts first pull. Gas, without oil mixed in can go in your car. There is no point in trying to save it over winter. Either use it up before winter, give it to someone to use, or allow it to evaporate(dangerous and slow).
I have a Nissan 5hp 4 stroke on my 240. Me and gas engines normally don't get along. About a year after I got my boat the motor would not stay running for very long. I took it the Nissan local shop. He found that the valves had carboned up. He said run amoco hi test(BP) only and before putting up for any length of time, allow the engine to run dry, which I do. The motor starts first pull. Gas, without oil mixed in can go in your car. There is no point in trying to save it over winter. Either use it up before winter, give it to someone to use, or allow it to evaporate(dangerous and slow).
- Status
- Not open for further replies.