First real cruising

H

HARIB

New Member
Nov 30, 2007
25
State of Qatar (Middle East)
Yesterday I brought my boat form the border to the marina which it was almost 4 hours cruising. Unfortunately I was not able to snap some pics due to what I have faced.
After I left the border approximately 15 mints, I start to notice some unusual sounds from one of the engine its just like a carburetor problem where the RPM starts to go down form 3000 to 2200 and when ever I tried to accelerate it again it just go down.
The previous owner told me that he added some cleaner agent to clean the carburetor it seems it does not work:huh:.
The real problems that I have decided not to refuel the tank were I have ¾ fuel tanks. I was mistaken cuz I really don’t know the consumption of this engines.
The good news is one engine with carburetor problem stopped 5 kilometer befor the marina and the other one stopped at the gate of the marina lol.
Sorry for not attaching pics yet guyz.
 
Ah, well...that stuff is going to happen, especially on an older boat. Like you said, it was handy to have the second motor quit just as you got to the marina.

Gas engine basics, as explained by my Chrysler mechanic dad to me years ago. It needs three things to run- fuel, air, and spark. Sometimes even a trained ear can't tell for sure which is lacking.

A good clue to the problem is that both motors quit. I'd skip looking at the carburetors for just now; doubt they'd both get plugged at the same time. Same for distributor caps, etc., for the same reason.

Each motor pulls off it's own fuel tank, though there is a crossover that will let either motor pull off either tank. Check this to see where they were getting their fuel from. Next, there are fuel filters on each tank. Remove the bowls and replace them. You'll almost always find some water in here that will rust the steel bowls; clean it out nicely before you put it back together.

Next, there are spin-on fuel filters (they look like oil filters) on each motor that you should change.

It's real possible that you'll find water in all of these areas. I don't know about the gas you buy there, but ours has ethenol in it that helps the fuel to absorb humidity. Your fuel might be a better grade than ours, I don't know.

On the other hand, you might just have run out of gas, and the fuel guages don't work.

Anyway, take your time and you'll figure it out.
 
John you’re the man,
I was thinking to change the carburetor kit but after your advice I will change the filters first and then will see if its work.
Our gas is much better :thumbsup:you know why :grin: kidding
thanks a lot
 
Harib,

Hey, I should have mentioned too that if you find some water in the fuel, you should put a can or two of 'gas dryer' in each tank, then run the boat to burn it off. I mentioned ethenol earlier, and basically that's what this stuff is. It allows the water to mix with the gas so it will run through.

If you have a lot of water, you might have to pump it out. You might also need to remove the carbs and get the water out of them before it will run.

Speaking of which, I've got to run...don't know what time zone you're in but guessing it's about 12 hours ahead of my Seattle time. I'm in the middle of my work day, and not getting everything done that I promised.

Please give me an update when you can, OK?
 
John,
am at work at the moment but nothing to do. am working in the fire service so just waiting for a call to be busy like you :smt101.

Now my fuel tank are totally empty as I stated above, I will put two can of gas dryer as your recommendation but I guess I should full the tank right?
if not, for how long should I run to burn? And how many gallon of gas should I add to this dryer?
I know am loading you with these questions.


Thank you in advance
Harib
 
How Much Is Gasoline In The Middle East??? :wow::wow::wow:
 
I missed the part about your tanks being empty; sorry about that, I get in a hurry.

It's probably still a good idea to use the 'gas dryer', whatever brand you buy. Fuel up to about half tanks, I suppose, and after checking the carbs for water and changing the filters, see if it runs OK.

There are also 'screens', a filter of sorts, where the steel fuel lines attach to the carbs. Under that black paint is a brass fitting, so it's soft; be careful not to round off the shoulders when you back it off. There is a special wrench for this, like a box end wrench with a notch cut into it to go over tubing. Take the fuel line loose, then the adapter piece that screws into the carb. Inside this is a metal screen that can plug with sediment that might have got past the other two filters.

Before you put the carbs back on, you can fill them with fresh gas to make them start faster. Otherwise the fuel pump has to fill them, so you'll have to crank the motors awhile. You're a firefighter, so you know this stuff, but be careful about spills and fumes. They have a way of ruining your day, or worse.

My wife's son is a fireman also, here in the Seattle area. He's about your age.

So tease us- how much is gas over there? I know it's a completely different thing, but some time ago Venezuela's average was something like 19 cents, and in your part of the world it was around 30 cents US. I can't remember for sure, but I remember thinking that it was about what we paid when I was a kid in the late 60's.

It would still be neat if you could ship me some...

Have a nice night. I've got to run off again.
 
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That boat also has a primary fuel-water separator mounted on the tank. Its a black can with a cartridge element, not a spin on. If water and settlement reached the engine mounted spin on filter, then the primary filter is also fouled.
 
Guyz,
This info helps me big time. John, don’t worry about the spill and fume they knew am in the fire service so they always disappear. I will ship you but you should tell me how many gallons you are looking for shipping is expensive. I should take some rest to be ready early morning for this stuff its 12 midnight. I will keep you posted if there is any progress
 
Do you remember the problem with the fuel I have told you about?
I have changed the fuel filters problem still exist so I was looking closely to the carburetor guess what I have seen this part actually not attached at all
I have attached it and everything seems to be fine. I need to go for sea trail to find out I will keep you posted.
7041264carb2.jpg
 
HARIB,

Glad to hear that you're on your way! The wrench you will need to replace the "screen" on your carb is called a "flare nut wrench". They are specifically designed for the soft brass fittings on gas lines and brake lines. Do not attempt to remove using any other type of wrench or pliers!

Let us know how the sea trial went.
 
Harib,

Well, I'm confused, and I'm not sure I'm understanding where you're at.

It sounds like the motors are running again. When both motors quit within several minutes of each other, it points to a common problem, such as a fuel issue. Working on one carb won't fix both engines. So, your problem might have been water or crud in the fuel and the filters fixed it. Were you able to see water in the fuel / water separators, or anywhere else?

I can't tell from the carb photo exactly what is was that was disconnected. There will be a rod to the forward 'butterfly', or flap, but what I think you're pointing to is the rod to the secondary, aft butterfly. I think this is there to prevent the motor going lean when you push the throttle forward enough to open the secondaries, or rear two 'barrels' of a four barrel carb. It is probably connected to venturi vacuum, so as air rushes through the carb it opens slowly to prevent a lean conditon back fire or hesitation.

I guess if all runs well then it doesn't matter, but here is a link to an exploded view of your carb-
http://www.mercruiserparts.com/Show...71/21.png&inbr=1074&bnbr=100&bdesc=CARBURETOR

Please let me know how your sea trial goes.

Gotta run,

John
 
I don't have a quadrajet in front of me to compare, but it appears that the linkage is connected to the choke. It the choke is closing at part throttle that would give you similar symptoms to what you are explaining. But as others have pointed out if you are having the same symptoms on both engines one carb is not going to cause it.

I had a very similar experience with my 88', it ended up that the fuel filter/water seperator was plugged with varnish from the tank. My boat sat for about 2 years before I bought it. The sea trial went great, no problems, but then after I took ownership, and on our first trip out I had similar issues. The engine would start to bog. I came off plane, checked things out, did not see anything obvious so I tried to get on plane again. There was no power, the engine would rev to about 3500 RPM, then cut right back to 2000 RPM not letting me get on plane. But because there was enough flow the engine would idle no problem. After replacing the filter, we cut open the old and it was full of little varnish bits. After replacing the filter I put about 20 hrs on it with no more issues.

You stated that someone (previous owner?) put some fuel cleaner in the tanks, I suspect this knocked a bunch of stuff loose and it clogging up the system somewhere.

-Ryan
 
Ryan, thanks man,i will be off this morning i might go for sea trail i will keep you informed BTW i have checked the fuel filter as i stated befor i found them really clean and i replace them just to insure its not the cause. anyway will see tomorrow
Harib
 
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