Sorry for the long post, but need some help. Due to some health issues and moving/selling my home, my boat has been sitting idle in my garage for a few months. I usually pull it out and run it in the driveway every few weeks during our so called winter in Florida if I dont get out much, but this time it sat longer than I would have liked.
I pulled it out to run it yesterday and I could not get it to turn over. Checked the obvious stuff, gas in the tank, lanyard in the run position, ect. I primed it with the throttle a few times which has always worked in the past for the cold starts, but it wouldnt go. I took the air cover off and the carbs were dry...On the advice of a friend and long boating veteran, I added just a little bit of fuel directly to the intake to determine it was a fuel issue and not an ignition issue. It ran for a few seconds until the fuel burned and then stalled.
My initial thoughts are that the fuel gunked up the filter and or pump / lines from sitting... But, I opened the hatch again this morning and notice that the vent tube from the fuel pump was not connected to the fitting on the intake. I thought maybe that was causing a problem, so I pulled the end out and noticed it was scorched and melted. So, the question is whether it was like that before I tried starting the engine, or if it was the result of what I did yesterday? Either way, I need to have the fuel filter replaced and possibly more. I would attempt to do it myself, but the filter is on the bottom of the pump which is located at the bottom of the engine out of view, with about 9" of space to work. I guess I can try a mirror and flash light, but im a little uncomfortable messing with the fuel lines...I will change the oil and other easy stuff, but its a little out of my comfort zone.
Does anyone know where I can get a piece of the tubing? I checked west marine and didnt see anything. I was thinking grainger as well. (I think its called Tygon?). I also am concerned as to how/why it melted...anyone else ever see this? Lastly, as you will see in the pics, I am starting to get some rust on the engine block in a few areas. Is there a good solution besides cleaning with a wire brush and re-painting?
This pic shows the tube which connects to the small brass fitting to the right.
Here is the bottom side that is scorched....
I pulled it out to run it yesterday and I could not get it to turn over. Checked the obvious stuff, gas in the tank, lanyard in the run position, ect. I primed it with the throttle a few times which has always worked in the past for the cold starts, but it wouldnt go. I took the air cover off and the carbs were dry...On the advice of a friend and long boating veteran, I added just a little bit of fuel directly to the intake to determine it was a fuel issue and not an ignition issue. It ran for a few seconds until the fuel burned and then stalled.
My initial thoughts are that the fuel gunked up the filter and or pump / lines from sitting... But, I opened the hatch again this morning and notice that the vent tube from the fuel pump was not connected to the fitting on the intake. I thought maybe that was causing a problem, so I pulled the end out and noticed it was scorched and melted. So, the question is whether it was like that before I tried starting the engine, or if it was the result of what I did yesterday? Either way, I need to have the fuel filter replaced and possibly more. I would attempt to do it myself, but the filter is on the bottom of the pump which is located at the bottom of the engine out of view, with about 9" of space to work. I guess I can try a mirror and flash light, but im a little uncomfortable messing with the fuel lines...I will change the oil and other easy stuff, but its a little out of my comfort zone.
Does anyone know where I can get a piece of the tubing? I checked west marine and didnt see anything. I was thinking grainger as well. (I think its called Tygon?). I also am concerned as to how/why it melted...anyone else ever see this? Lastly, as you will see in the pics, I am starting to get some rust on the engine block in a few areas. Is there a good solution besides cleaning with a wire brush and re-painting?
This pic shows the tube which connects to the small brass fitting to the right.
Here is the bottom side that is scorched....