outdoor motor problem?

[carl schenk]

I forgot to open the gas tank valve after trailering home the other night and yesterday the motor was leaking gas and the bottom was full of gas. when I opened the valve the pressure was apparent. did the pressure blow out an o-ring or gasket or does the fuel simply run out the carburetor. can I troubleshoot by pumping up the ball?  not interested in blowing myself up..

[1o8js667r5pue]

It is more than likely it would just leak out the carb(s). The carb just control the mix of fuel and air into the motor and the air comes from the intake, I have a hard time believing too much pressure wouldn't be alleviated through the intake but I could be wrong. If there was a problem your first place to look would be the sediment bowl or fuel filter depending on your motor if I had to guess and either would be an easy fix. I'm also assuming this is two stroke because it's not fuel injected but I'm
Not smart enough to know if carbourated four stokes exist in the boat world but that really shouldn't change much

[1o8js667r5pue]

Also, good thing you opted for the outdoor model the indoors are known to cause carbon monoxide poisoning haha.

[1o8js667r5pue]

Now that I'm sitting here thinking about it the needle and seat must not have enjoyed that amount of pressure if it made it that far but I have a really hard time believing the manufacturer didn't account for this problem

[John Jarosz]

Carl...If you pump up the bulb while in the driveway (engine not running), it should harden up if your fuel system is still "air-tight."  If you have a leak in the system somewhere, the bulb won't get hard.  If it's in the fuel system, you'll see gas oozing out or squirting out of the spot, depending on its size & location.  There won't be any danger of blowing up as long as you don't run the engine or light up a cigarette while troubleshooting

If you don't see any gas but the bulb won't get hard, it could also mean a bad check-valve in the bulb.

When the gas pressurizes, it lifts the float which is supposed to push the needle  up against the seat, shutting off the flow of gas.  If the seat got damaged from over-pressurization, it won't seal properly & you'll see gas coming out of the carb when you squeeze the bulb.

I had a four-stroke that had carbs.  The smaller 4 strokes have carbs while the larger ones have gone to fuel injection.

Let us know what you find out.

[Stephen Glassic]

It might be a good idea to look under the cover at the fuel system, including the carb, fuel pump gas lines and fittings. to try and see where it is leaking.

The float valve in the float tank should close off when the float tank is full. If the motor was tilted up, the float valve might not close off when the float tank is full. It is also possible that the float valve is not closing off completely. Those parts are usually included in a carb rebuild kit. If the float valve doesn't close of when the float tank is full, gas will leak through the carb.

To make sure the float valve is closing off, squeeze the bulb and it should get hard. If it doesn't get hard or if you keep squeezing it and gas comes out of the carb, you probably need to replace the float valve and maybe the float valve seat or possibly the float itself (they sometimes will not float when they get old).

I'm not sure what would happen if there was a tremendous amount of pressure from sun heating the tank, whether the gas could leak past a good float valve. The pressure in the tank could have just caused gas to leak at one of the gas line fittings or fuel pump gasket if the pressure was a great deal more than usual.

[carl schenk]

pumped up the bulb today and it started dripping again.  looks like it starts just inside the area where the fuel line connects.  now to see if I can fix it myself.  should've paid more attention in shop class way back when... never been the handiest with tools.  sure could deliver that mail tho.

[1o8js667r5pue]

Always could be wrong but that makes it sound like a simple fix. Nothing in a two stroke is complicated in my opinion. Just take your time to understand what it is you are doing and you will be fine.

[John Jarosz]

Carl...was the dripping fuel line in the engine compartment? The spot where the fuel line connects to a barbed fitting is where they will usually crack from vibration. One end will be on the sediment bowl & the other end on the carb.

The fuel line is held at both ends by clamps.  Remove the clamps (usually by pliers or screwdriver) & work the fuel line off.  If one end is good, it might take some work to get it off but you should be able to slowly wiggle it off while pulling on the line.

Two things to remember when getting a replacement:

1. make sure you replace it with line that is rated for fuel line.  There are a lot of rubber hoses out there that aren't fuel line hoses.  make sure it's fuel line hose.

2. Make sure it's the same I.D.  Fuel line is sold by inner diameter, so you'll want to take the old line with you when you get the new line.  If you get a size too small, it will be hard to put on & you might not get the proper amount of fuel.  If it's too large an I.D., it will fit loosely on the fitting & you might never get it to seal so it will always drip a little fuel.

Hope that helps, good luck & keep in touch.

[carl schenk]

the leak is occurring just inside where the fuel line from the tank hooks up.   there is a short piece of fuel line which goes up to the fuel filter.  pulled the line off and replaced the original zip ties that were there with hose clamps but that didn't fix it so I believe it is the piece that goes through the motor cover that the fuel line attaches to.  thinking I need a mercury mechanic that has a quick turnaround in the middle of summer.  my wings are clipped.

[Stephen Glassic]

Carl, It could be that the "o" ring on the quick connect for the fuel line is bad. It might be tough to get the right size "o" ring but you should be able to get a new connector at any marine store. Maybe even Wall Mart.

[Capt. Larry D. Jones]

Carl, there should only be one bolt that holds the fuel line connector on the outboard motor side.That connector and the connector attached to the hose coming from the tank are available at West Marine.To check the connector on the hose from the tank, squeeze the ball when not connected, check ball should not allow gasoline to flow.If you do not want to spend all the money for the two connectors , just u clamp a line splice connector between the main hose and the hose going to the fuel filter.

[carl schenk]

leak is happening at seam on this piece(s).  if this is 2 pieces it sure doesn't want to come apart