Outboard issues [SOLVED]

Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
Update -

Went to Yamaha with the intent of purchasing the Ring Free product. It is suppose to clean the jets, float, bowl, and other items. Cost is about $25. The parts guy was on the phone so I picked up the Ring Free and a Carburetor cleaner that was also around $25. When he got off the phone I took the products to the counter, explained the situation and asked which one I should use. He said neither. He went back to a shelf and got a $9.77 can of Combustion Chamber Cleaner. Tells me to start the engine and spray in the intake.

While we were talking, the subject of fuel connections came up. He tells me that Yamaha did away with the spin-lock barrel connections and went back to the dual barb type. There were too many issues. So the maintenance guy tells me to take my off, bring them in and he will give me the new one.

Back to the boat and swapped out the connectors. Obviously there was no change in the status. It starts in choke but dies when the choke is pushed in. Took about 20 minutes of starting, spraying, dieing, starting, spraying, dieing when it started and stay churning right along. Pushed the choke in, it sputtered but kept going. Kept spraying until the spray did nothing anymore. Turned it off, waited 30 minutes as the can said and it fired right back up. Ran it at medium idle with no sounds of it wanting to stop.

So a combination of changing out the fuel connection and spraying the carb did the trick. Now you guys are also right that the carb needs a good cleaning. That will come at a later date. But for now, I will drain the bowl (run until dry) as you recommend.

Again, thanks for all the advise. Just the best bunch of boaters ever!
 
Feb 26, 2004
23,047
Catalina 34 224 Maple Bay, BC, Canada
Brain, we're all so glad you solved your issue. Wonderful how discussing it both here and with the guys in the shop worked. Donalex is right, you're well on the path to gain complete confidence in your system. Dare I say Good On Ya! and when it came to the can of cleaner, RTFM actually works! :):):)

All the best,

Stu
 
Jul 28, 2010
914
Boston Whaler Montauk New Orleans
Brian, not at my desk at the moment. Before you take it apart, there's a sea foam treatment method that might work. I posted it on here some time ago. And I think another poster, maybe AllUGet? said it worked for him. I also use Sea Foam every time I fill my tanks, along with Stabil.

When I get back, I'll find the Sea Foam treatment.
 
Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
I was either going to run the tanks with Seafoam or Yamaha's Ring Free. I think either will help with the problem. But not sure which one. In the mean time, one gallon with either product and fresh fuel in the motor should also help. Because the guys at my Yamaha shop were very helpful, I will go to them. They have both products.
 
Aug 8, 2006
340
Catalina 34 Naples FL
Yamaha says to put ring free in every tank of gas. Stops pinging for one thing. My 1999 yamaha 150 is still running strong.
 
May 31, 2014
24
Macgregor 25 Livingston
Sea Foam has cleaners and water emulsifiers in it. I think Ring Free is just a cleaner/deposit remover. It works but Sea Foam has more stuff in it. You add just a little bit to each tank so it's pretty cheap to run as well. I "juice up" my outboard fuel with Marvel and Sea Foam. I know the Marvel is overkill but the detergents in it seem to keep things really clean. I run a 1968 Evinrude 6hp and she purrs like a big kitten!
 
Jul 28, 2010
914
Boston Whaler Montauk New Orleans
Brian, I found the treatment that I was told about. I did it in my outboard when I first got the boat. It really, really worked well.

Use 1 can Sea Foam with 3 gallons gasoline (Remember to add 2 stroke oil, if pertinent. Sea Foam counts as "gas" for mixing.) (I used a separate small tank). Run your motor for 15 minutes, then shut it down for 15 minutes, run for 15, then off for 15. Do this at least 5 times. It will smoke like the dickens at first, but it really cleans out the carbon. After that, use a maintenance dose of Sea Foam each time you fill up. I use Stabil as well.
 
Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
Thanks Winkfish. If I do that, I will have to go several miles off shore. Don't want to do it in the marina. LOL.
 
Jul 28, 2010
914
Boston Whaler Montauk New Orleans
Thanks Winkfish. If I do that, I will have to go several miles off shore. Don't want to do it in the marina. LOL.
Haha!! Just pick a windy day. ;)

Actually, Brian, with a fairly new engine like you have, you may not have that much smoke. Mine was 20 years old when I bought it.
 
Feb 17, 2006
5,274
Lancer 27PS MCB Camp Pendleton KF6BL
When I was spraying the Combustion Chamber Cleaner in the intake and running at higher RPMs I notice smoke coming from the engine. Not much but enough. So I am sure it will smoke, but like you said, maybe not as bad as yours. I might do it in steps so as not to piss off anyone. LOL

Thanks again.
 
May 6, 2012
303
Hunter 28.5 Jordan, ON
When I was spraying the Combustion Chamber Cleaner in the intake and running at higher RPMs I notice smoke coming from the engine. Not much but enough. So I am sure it will smoke, but like you said, maybe not as bad as yours. I might do it in steps so as not to piss off anyone. LOL

Thanks again.
You're not trying hard enough if you're not p'ing anyone off... :-D